FilCan Alberto Rodil, one of RBCs Top 25 Canadian Immigrant 2014 Awardees

By Susan Llanera
Ontario-Canada
July 10, 2014



The Filipinos are rejoicing with pride for the victory of Alberto Rodil for being one of the 25 best immigrants in Canada this year. The prestigious national competition is over & the people have spoken. Our very own Filipino bet made it to top 25 along the other Filipino Dr. Ana Wolak from British Columbia.

Doing extraordinary work for the community has made Alberto as one of Canada’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants for 2014. He is just like an ordinary worker, but his outstanding accomplishments have made him noticed.  The Filipinos & the multicultural communities in Thorncliffe Park had supported him overwhelmingly being well-loved by Thorncliffe community.

Alberto with Ph.D. degree in Public Administration in the Philippines, has touched thousands of lives in Canada. He sets an example to other immigrants & workers in Canada. According to him “As long as one sets clear direction & do positive actions, the goal can be fulfilled. I struggled a lot in Canada as immigrant by doing low level- skilled work despite of my strong educational preparation & more than 20 years of work experience in the Philippines, but I became more focused, more assertive, & more confident.”

His life was changed after finishing a diploma in Social Service Worker Program at George Brown College in 2009 with honours earning several academic & leadership awards. He became a full-time Settlement Worker of Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office where he assisted thousands of immigrants from Live-In Caregivers, Refugees, international students, seniors, & Skilled Workers. Clients like the Live-In Caregivers were assisted free of charge where they saved thousands of dollars from Open Work Permit Application, Permanent Residents Application,  OHIP Appeal for Renewal  Caregivers Health Card, Sponsorships , Citizenship Application , among others.  Early this March, he was promoted to the position of Elder Persons Program Coordinator where he works with multicultural seniors in Thorncliffe Park. Prior to his employment in Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office, he volunteered to 11 organizations in Toronto where he provided free services from children to elderly people.

Alberto was a recipient of several awards & recognition in Canada before he won this best immigrant award. He was recognized by his organization for his outstanding contribution & leadership (Plaque of Recognition). He further won the 2012 United Way Bhayana Family Foundation Awards for Dedication Category where he competed against the best nominees of United Way agencies in the Gen. Toronto Area. He was recognized by Premier Kathleen Wynne for his work & contribution in Thorncliffe Park.  

Because of his winning, he is welcomed by Narima De La Cruz of Surrey, BC (2012 Top Canadian Immigrant winner) to the League of Filipino Honorees in Canada. He joined the fellow present & past popular winners like Arlene Dickinson (Dragon Den), Steve Nash (NBA superstar), Olivia Chow (politician), Donovan Bailey (Olympic Champion), Amit Chakma (President of Western University) Michel Jean (former Governor General of Canada), Mamdouh Shoukri (President of York University), Rafael Fabregas (Fair Immigration Lawyer & multi-awarded Filipino leader), Michael “Pinball “ Clemons of Toronto Argonauts & many other respected personalities in Canada.