05/30/2026
Before Vancouver became the city we know today, a young Filipino seaman named Benson Flores arrived in British Columbia in 1861, making him one of the earliest recorded Filipino immigrants in Canada.
Settling on Bowen Island, Flores became known as a fisherman, boat renter, beachcomber, musician, and a generous friend to the community. He helped shape daily life along the coast during a time when Canada itself was still evolving.
Though little is known about his early life, stories from neighbours remembered “Old Ben” as someone who shared what he had, welcomed others warmly, and became a familiar figure in Bowen Island history.
Benson Flores’s story is a reminder that Filipino Canadians have long been part of the fabric of British Columbia, contributing to communities, culture, and local history for generations, even when their stories were often overlooked.
As we continue to celebrate and preserve diverse histories, his legacy lives on through the stories, archives, and memories that connect us to Vancouver’s multicultural past. 💙
📸: Bowen Island Museum and Archives
