SASKATOON — Last Saturday, Aug. 24, Filipinos who made a difference in their chosen fields and contributed to the community, here and in the Philippines, were honoured at the 2nd Bayanihan Gawad Parangal Canada Awards at the Broadway Theatre.
Bayanihan Services Canada Inc. organized the ceremony, with the Philippines Public Attorney's Office Chief Persida Rueda Acosta as the guest of honour. Saskatoon Westview MLA David Buckingham, Ward 3 Councillor David Kirton, Philippine Consul General Emma Sarne and Philippine Honorary Consul Pepito Escanlar were the other dignitaries.
Danny and Lisa Baliad are the couple behind Bayanihan Services Canada Inc., as they recognize individuals and groups embody the Filipino values of bayanihan (community spirit). Filipinos are also known for caring for the needs of others, empathizing with other people, treating everyone as equals, and taking initiative.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and its administrator, Arnel Ignacio, led the list of awardees for the numerous programs and ways the entertainer-turned-public servant's agency had helped Filipino migrant workers worldwide. OWWA received the Kanlungan ng mga Makabagong Bayani (Refuge of our New Heroes), while Ignacio the Sandigan ng mga Makabagong Bayani (Supporter of our New Heroes) honours, respectively.
Ignacio said he was not expecting to receive any recognition when he travelled almost 7,000 miles (11,148 kilometres) from the Philippines to Saskatoon. He only wanted to meet Filipino workers who are now living in the province's largest city.
"OWWA is a government agency dedicated to the well-being of Filipino migrant workers. We provide various programs, services, and assistance to protect our modern-day heroes," said Ignacio, who admitted that he does not have government work experience but finds it challenging and rewarding.
"People in government don't usually expect recognition. You keep doing your job; most of the time, OWWA works to solve the problems of our OFWs in the Middle East. I'm glad to get the chance to meet Filipinos who are doing well in the community here in Saskatoon and who have generous hearts that align with the programs of [OWWA]."
He added that OWWA's 17 regional offices in the Philippines and 34 worldwide are always ready to respond to the needs of Filipino migrant workers. OWWA has also put up OFW lounges in Terminals 1 and 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport that offer free services for all leaving and arriving migrant workers, who can also avail of the Ultimate Bus Experience.
Margarett Luisa Prado, a licensed pharmacist in the Philippines before moving to Canada, received the Community Health and Well-Being Champion award for her work as a pharmacist and pharmacy technician instructor at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. She has experience in pharmacy administration, medication therapy management and public health promotion.
"When I came to Canada, I had to upgrade. When I got my license as a pharmacy technician, I got hired as an instructor at SaskPoly, helping those who want to upgrade and become pharmacy technicians," said Prado, who used to work setting up community pharmacies (Botika ng Barangay) in the Philippines' rural areas.
"I worked first in a pharmacy in the Philippines, but I felt I could do more and wanted to make a difference. I started serving in Region 8, one of the poorest regions, setting up community drug outlets in the remote areas of Eastern Samar, Bicol and parts of Mindanao. I saw how hard it is to access affordable, quality generic pharmaceuticals."
The Saint Cecilia Choir received the Bayanihan Award for Music and Unity for their contributions to promoting Filipino music at various events. SCC started as a church choir in 2015 to serve in the Filipino tradition of Simbang Gabi, a nine-day mass before the Christmas celebration.
The chorale group serenaded the crowd with Philippine folk songs during the Saskatchewan Filipino Music and Street Food Festival in Saskatoon and Humbolt, the CFC One Voice Concert, the CWL National Convention, the MFC Singles Convention, the Easter Dance, and other events organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
SCC showcased its philanthropic side by donating the prize money it won in the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Filipino-Canadian Christmas Songfest in 2022 and 2023 to Anawim, a facility caring for abandoned older adults in the Philippines.
Yorkton's Jonathan Rosas (Service and Cultural Harmony), Celine Constantino Flores (Community and Public Services, Abby Villanueva (Leadership and Philanthropy), Greg Michael Carlos of Manitoba (Catalyst of Change), Calgary's Marieta Pangan (Community Engagement), small business owner Danielle Buenaventura (Community Service), Jeanny Buan (Cultural Advocacy and Volunteerism), Alvin Alvarado (Environment Protection Innovator), and Edwin Villoria (Sports) were the other awardees.
Pangan founded the Filipino Cultural Recreational Association of Alberta and the Filipino Society of Arts and Culture and received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Medal. Buan was the first Filipino-Canadian named in CBC Saskatchewan's Future 40 and the first Filipino to be named YWCA's Entrepreneur of the Year after 37 years; Alvarado is a doctoral student at the University of Saskatchewan's Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and earned a scholarship from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Villoria promoted the Filipino martial arts of sikaran (kicking) and arnis (weapons-based) and was inducted into the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame like the legendary Bruce Lee.
Calgary's Binhi ng Lahi (Seed of our Race, Filipino Cultural Ambassadors), Kada Umaga (Every Morning, (Entertainment), Mariposa Cabiquez (Volunteerism), Reynaldo Fernandez (Transformational Leadership), Daniel Fernando (Exceptional Governance), Marissa Magsino (Global OFW Solidarity), Nikko Angelo Hinayo of Calgary (Performing Arts), Anna Magkawas (Outstanding Entrepreneur), and Vilma Santos-Recto (Timeless Icon) were not present to receive their awards.
