She’s still the darling of the Filipino community.
In a heartwarming display of unity, the Filipino community members gathered in a rousing miting de avance to support the re-election of Mable Elmore as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of B.C.
At a pep rally on October 12, speaker after speaker endorsed Elmore, who is running for a new term as MLA for Vancouver-Kensington.
The rally was preceded by a motorcade that went around Elmore’s Vancouver riding, with horns blaring and balloons swaying in the autumn wind.
Ana Napieralski of the Grupo Ilocano Association of B.C. was one of the speakers who called on the community to get behind the re-election of Elmore.
“Mable has the heart for the Filipino, di ba? So we have to be united. This is the right time na tayong mga Pilipino magkaisa,” Napieralski said.
“We love you Mable! We love you so much!” Napieralski also said.
The speakers included Nellie Monedera of the Antiqueno Binirayan Association of B.C.; Erie Maestro of Migrante B.C.; Amado Mercado Jr., Edwin Padilla, Narcy Vinluan, Valor Armor Corrales, and Tony Ortega.
Also among the speakers were Christian Cunanan, president of the United Filipino Canadian Associations in B.C. (UFCABC); Joel Castillo, a former UFCABC president; Lailani Tumaneng, a school board trustee in North Vancouver; Tony Ortega; labour union organizer Cora Mojica; Rona Bunda and Mary Joy Neri of the One Filipino Cooperative of B.C. and One Housing Society; and Lina Vargas of the Diversity and Inclusion Support Group of B.C.
Joining the post-miting de avance celebration was Rey Fortaleza of the ReyFort Media Group, publisher of Philippine Asian News Today and Philippine Showbiz Today.
Also spotted at the celebration was Mel Abonita.
The miting de avance was streamed live by the K-Jam show with host Allan Fernandez emceeing the event, with the support of Jose Policarpio Jr.
Elmore won the heart of the community when she became the first Filipino MLA in B.C.
She was first elected in 2009, and no other Filipino in B.C. has been able to replicate her feat in the provincial political realm.
Following the endorsements, Elmore thanked the community for its continuing support.
“I’m so deeply touched and humbled,” Elmore told the adoring crowd
British Columbians are casting their ballots on October 19. Advance voting was held from October 10 to October 13, and from October 15 to October 16.
Elmore is with the B.C. NDP, which, according to a poll, is ahead of the Conservative Party of B.C. in the final stages of the election campaign.
Results of a new Research Co. poll released on October 15 indicate that 45 percent of decided voters would support the B.C. NDP candidate in their constituency, while 41 percent would vote for the B.C. Conservatives.
The B.C. Green Party is third with 11 percent, while three percent of decided voters would back other parties or independent candidates.
Results are based on an online survey conducted from October 12 to October 14, 2024, among a representative sample of 800 likely voters in British Columbia.
Before the election campaign began on September 21, Elmore also served as Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives.
David Eby is the leader of the B.C. NDP.
Eby had this to say about Elmore when she was nominated as the party’s candidate for Vancouver-Kensington on July 28, 2024: “As the first Filipino MLA to sit in our Legislature, Mable has broken down historic barriers.”
“Mable has played a critical role in our government’s groundbreaking anti-racism legislation and been a very effective MLA for her constituents,” Eby said. “People in Vancouver-Kensington need affordable housing, strong public healthcare, and a more affordable day-to-day life. Mable is committed to delivering for people.”
