Meet the Filipino BC Team

  • Kristina Corpin-Moser

    PROJECT DIRECTOR
    Siya/She/Her


    Bio:
    Kristina Corpin-Moser stands prominently at the forefront of equity and justice within social entrepreneurship and community empowerment, drawing from over two decades of managerial experience across both for-profit and non-profit sectors. Guided by feminist, intersectional, and anti-racist frameworks, she has navigated diverse landscapes, advocating tirelessly for marginalized communities from urban centers to remote corners of Northern Canada. As the Project Director of Filipino BC, Kristina works to preserve Filipino Canadian heritage while nurturing future leaders and prioritizing youth well-being, all while celebrating cultural diversity. Her people-first ethos and dedication to relationship-centered leadership have positioned her as a transformative force in shaping inclusive ecosystems.

    Kristina's expertise in social-enterprise, diversifying revenue streams, crafting inclusive practices, and amplifying marginalized voices uniquely qualifies her to lead efforts in reshaping the non-profit landscape. Leveraging her extensive experience in community-based participatory research, she spearheads data collection efforts aimed at informing the creation of more inclusive programs tailored to the needs of intersectional, intergenerational and intercultural communities in British Columbia. Her collaborative approach, rooted in longstanding relationships with organizations supporting marginalized populations, ensures that Filipino BC’s initiatives benefit not only the Filipino community but also contribute to a broader culture of inclusivity and support for all.

  • Lani Baybay

    DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
    She/Her

    Bio:
    Hilani received her name, like many other Filipinos, through a combination of her parents names - Hilda and Bayani. Known to many as Lani, she is a proud Filipina born in Canada,growing up in East Vancouver where her family immigrated to in the 1980s.

    Beginning her journey in the workforce at a young age, she swiftly ascended through the ranks of the restaurant industry for over a decade, showcasing her leadership skills in roles spanning training, management, and marketing.

    Beyond her corporate endeavors, Lani’s heart beats for community service. She has worked with various non-profit organizations, championing causea ranging from anti-human trafficking, faith-based organizations, anti-gender-based violence, community safety, and other Filipino organizations, contributing in diverse roles in marketing and communications, event planning, research, and administration.

    In her free time, Lani’s creative spirit shines brightly. Whether she’s singing, participating in theatre, or various visual arts, she is a creative through and through. She finds joy iencouraging others to embrace their own creative potential, nurturing a community of inspiration and expression.

    Lani comes from a big beautiful Filipino-Family. Family holds a central place in Lani’s life, as a proud granddaughter, daughter, an Ate to her beloved sisters and fiancée to an amazing partner, celebrating the beauty of cultural diversity and the bonds that unite families, generations and communities. With an unwavering commitment to her roots and a passion for community, Lani gratefully embraces opportunities to serve and connect with the Filipino community, guided by humility and gratitude.

Meet the Filipino BC Executive Team

  • RJ Aquino, Chair

    He/Him

    Bio:
    RJ Aquino is a father of three, community organizer and activist based in Metro Vancouver. Born in the Philippines, Aquino moved to the US as a child and then to Canada and has dedicated his time to advocating for social justice, immigrant rights, and affordable housing.

    He was a co-founder of Tulayan, a community organization that sought to celebrate and share Filipino culture in Canada through programming and events that focused on heritage, history, and language. He’s also served on non-profit boards, including the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society and Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

    He’s also been deeply involved in civic politics as one of the founders of OneCity Vancouver, a municipal political party and movement for social change to build a city strengthened through equity, affordability, and diversity.

  • Nicola Espiritu, Vice-Chair

    She/Her

    Bio:
    Nicola Espiritu, a highly experienced registered nurse, currently serves as the Enterprise Manager of Clinical Informatics for a leading public health organization in BC. With over a decade in Emergency Medicine, she seamlessly integrates clinical expertise into health care technology, quality improvement, and project management.

    A sought-after educator and conference presenter, Nicola leads impactful projects to elevate patient care. As a dedicated leader, she ensures the nursing voice resonates in every aspect of her work.

    As a second-generation Filipina, Nicola is committed to creating opportunities for cultural connection within Filipino BC. Leveraging her knowledge, she aims to support the growth and health of the Filipino community in BC and beyond.

    Based in Vancouver, Nicola finds joy riding her motorcycle on the ancestral territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, embodying a spirit of connection and dedication to her roots.

  • Ena Point, Vice-Chair

    Pronoun

    Bio:
    Ena Point, a first-generation Filipina-Canadian settler, has called the Musqueam Reserve home for over 20 years, alongside her late husband, Terry Point and their three children. Embracing her role as an integral member of the Musqueam Community, Ena considers this honour a source of daily gratitude.

    With a diverse background encompassing Archaeology, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, and certification as a Birthing Doula, Ena has dedicated herself to the well-being of the Musqueam people. She has initiated and spearheaded numerous Indigenous outreach programs catering to pregnant mothers-to-be, youth, and the broader community, both on and off the Reserve.

    Currently serving as the Indigenous Relations Engagement Pedagogist at UBC Child Care and co-founder of SNIW̓ Consultants, Ena Point extends her commitment to fostering understanding and reconciliation. In her role as a Decolonizing Pedagogist, she invites participants to engage in transformative dialogues, creating safe spaces for conversations that contribute to truth and healing. Ena’s dedication lies in shaping environments where meaningful connections pave the way for a more inclusive and harmonious community.

  • Armi Bless Hughes, Treasurer

    She/Her

    Bio:
    Armi Bless Hughes, a dedicated Human Resource professional with Project Management Professional and Senior HR Professional designations, channels her fervour for justice, good governance, and community building through her leadership as Treasurer of Filipino BC. As an HR Business Analyst at the City of Vancouver, she is instrumental in integrating Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) principles into organizational systems, enriching stakeholder decision-making through astute data analytics. Beyond the professional realm, Armi graciously volunteers as a Catechist, imparting invaluable lessons on faith and values.

    An immigrant herself, she ardently supports newcomers in their arrival to British Columbia, sharing practical insights on navigating systems, employment law, and more.

    Armi’s multifaceted persona extends to her love for travel, perpetual learning, and leisurely walks, embodying a commitment to both personal and communal enrichment.

  • Nathan Frias, Secretary

    He/Him

    Bio:
    Change Practitioner. He has over 20 years of experience in progressively senior healthcare leadership roles across the healthcare continuum, including long-term care, community, rehabilitation, acute and mental health hospitals. The roles have spanned operational, regional and provincial levels. During his time at the Centre of Mental Health and Addiction (CAMH) in Toronto, he co-led the achievement of a global accreditation in analytics called HIMSS Analytics Maturity Adoption Model (AMAM) as the first Canadian academic hospital and mental health organization to meet the requirements.

    After moving to Vancouver a few years ago, Nathan joins Filipino BC with a keen interest to build towards a more inclusive and empowered Filipino community. He would also like to continue the important philanthropic and advocacy work that will give our community a stronger voice and more presence in all spaces - a vision that his late father and grandparents strongly believed in.