The Filipino community in Arborg has long empowered members of its community in the Interlake and shared its vibrant cultural traditions with others, and now they’ve launched a non-profit organization to support their growing community, drive economic growth to the region and celebrate Filipino traditions.
People browse for items at the garage sale. Members of the Filipino community came from as far as Thompson to help support the fundraising drive
The Interlake Filipino Community of Manitoba Inc. (IFCMI) leapt straight into action after it was registered with the Manitoba Companies Office earlier this spring.
The organization held a fundraising gala, a Filipino food fundraiser and a 50-50 raffle to support the projects and initiatives it plans to offer in the the upcoming months.
It just held a successful garage sale last Saturday with items donated from the Filipino community and Filipino guests who came from as far as Thompson.
The funds the organization raises will be used for community programs, cultural celebrations, volunteer support, permits and operational expenses, outreach and communications, and community engagement, among other things.
Arborg resident Beverly Magaway said the Filipino community has worked together as a group for over a decade to support newcomers, host events and celebrate Filipino culture in the region, and she had previously served as the group’s president. After the group was registered and formed a board of directors, she moved to an external advisory role.
IFCMI members include Filipinos in various regions of the Interlake such as Arborg, Ashern, Gimli and Riverton. Although Fisher Branch has its own Filipino organization, the IFCMI partners with them to help with events and share resources.
Arborg and other areas of the Interlake are seeing more Filipinos deciding to settle there because of a long established supportive community, job opportunities and a good quality of life.
“The Filipino community in the area is rapidly growing. We’re almost 200 in Arborg alone. Some of the newcomers and their families have been coming from other provinces such as Ontario, Quebec and Alberta to work here. They got hired for a job,” said Magaway. “They really want to settle here permanently. They like the place because it’s a nice little town. It’s peaceful. And they instantly feel they belong here because of the [IFCMI] organization.”
The organization was formed so that they could raise funds for projects and events, she said, support the Filipino community, as well as support those with families back home in the Philippines in the event of a calamity.
The IFCMI raised money to create a scholarship award for a Filipino student graduating from Grade 12. The award will be presented annually, said Magaway. If there’s no Filipino student graduating in any given year, the award will be presented to another student. Arborg Collegiate graduate Ernest Agpallo was the recipient this year of the inaugural award.
The Town of Arborg let the IFCMI use town property last Saturday to hold a fundraising garage sale which raised just short of $500, and Magaway said they’re planning a “town sweep” or community clean-up after the Arborg Street Festival, with volunteers from the Filipino community taking part.
“We wanted to collaborate with the town and show them we appreciated using the town’s property for our garage sale,” she said. “In return we wanted to do something good so we’ll be cleaning up after the festival.”
The ICFMI has also teamed up with the Arborg & District Multicultural Heritage Village, which offered the organization space to display some Filipino cultural items in the museum.
“We’re were very happy when we were offered that opportunity to showcase our culture,” said Magaway.
IFCMI’s vision for 2026 focuses on five core goals: strengthening Filipino cultural presence in the Interlake, supporting youth, seniors and families in activities, hosting events, ensuring financial transparency and responsibility, and working towards full non-profit registration, according to its website.
The board is composed of the following individuals: Michelle Valenzuela (president), Cherry Cleylow (secretary), Rain Bautista (treasurer), Roger Aballe (auditor) and committee members Blessilda Agpallo, John Ray Ramos, Rizalyn Nazar, Erwin Vergara, and Joselito Competente.
Michelle Valenzuela leads the organization through collaboration and determining the long-term needs of the community. She said she worked for a non-profit organization in Ontario and was inspired to serve on the IFCMI after she moved to Arborg and saw how the Filipino community there would come together to support each other and celebrate their culture.
“When I got here in Arborg, I saw how strong the Filipino community is and how they’re helping the economy in this region. They’re part of the industries and they’re very hard-working employees of these industries,” said Valenzuela. “That’s something I’m very proud of and that inspired me to volunteer to help with the organization. We’re looking to maintain that spirit and encourage more Filipinos to get settled here and help with what we have in the Interlake.”
As the organization was just registered in the spring, it will take some time to build financial capacity. But they’re off to a good start.
The organization launched a website which provides information on the organization, its events and its financial position.
“We try to be transparent in everything we do, especially with financial information. We post everything on our website; there is a financial page and it’s updated regularly. We hope to do an annual report,” said Valenzuela.
As of May 25, 2026, IFCMI raised $2,359.20 through memberships, donations and fundraising initiatives. After expenses of $536.40, the organization had $1,822.80 available to support future initiatives.
IFCMI will be taking part in the Arborg Street Festival this August and in the Arborg-based Culturama celebration in September where it will host a Filipino pavilion with food, cultural artefacts and entertainment.
“We’re working with the heritage village on Culturama and we’ll need funding to bring Filipino dancers from Winnipeg,” said Valenzuela. “Filipinos in the Interlake can experience first-hand the authentic culture the dancers will bring. This is something we’re really happy and excited about. And we’re proud to share it with everyone else in the Interlake region to see how amazing the Filipino culture is.”
Upcoming events, include a year-end party and awards event, and Christmas carolling.
For more information about the Interlake Filipino Community of Manitoba or to inquire about volunteering with the organization, visit its website at ifcmanitoba.ca
