MANILA, Philippines- Ginunita ng Filipino-Canadian community sa Vancouver ang isang makasaysayang kaganapan noong Abril 13 sa pagkilala nito sa libingan ng kauna-unahang natukoy na Filipino immigrant sa Canada.
Nagbigay-pugay ang mga pinuno ng iba’t ibang civic groups kay Benson Flores sa kanyang 95th death anniversary.
Isa siyang seafarer na umalis sa Pilipinas nang siya ay 15-anyos pa lamang upang lakbayin ang mundo bago siya manirahan sa Canada noong 1860s.
“It’s huge for us to recognize the pioneers,” pahayag ni Cliff Belgica ng UFCABC. “They have set the standards for the younger generations on how we will be able to move forward as a community.”
Pumanaw si Flores, hindi nakapag-asawa, sa Vancouver noong Abril 11, 1929, sa edad na 81.
Inilibing siya sa Mountain View cemetery.
“It was very touching to hear that they acknowledged our presence and the contributions of our community,” ani Ted Alcuitas, local editor at publisher. “Benson Flores paved the way for us.”
“He was known to be kind,” ayon naman kay Consul General Arlene Magno. “He lent money. He helped his friends, maybe Canadians. It’s just such a beautiful representation of who we are as Filipinos.” RNT/SA
