7 Ontario Filipino Canadians Win Filipino Centre Toronto Outstanding Seniors of the Year Awards
Toronto-Canada
May 7, 2019
True to its commitment and desire to recognise and honour senior members of the Filipino Canadian community in Ontario, the Filipino Centre Toronto - FCT, through its Outstanding Filipino Canadian Seniors Awards board of judges, selects and names 7 active seniors to receive the "Outstanding Senior of the Year-2019" awards.
These still-engaged seniors who have made invaluable contributions, exemplary service, and magnanimous engagement into the quality of life and living in their communities, were chosen via a 3 -month competitive search.
The seven deserving recipients were honoured and presented with a "Plaque of Recognition" at the FCT- Filipino Centre Toronto's Bi-annual Gala Event on April 13, 2019, Saturday, 7:00 pm. at Grand Cinnamon Banquet and Convention Centre in Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario.
The winners of this first-ever top recognition are Caroline Banez, Norma Carpio, Teodorico "Ted" Dayno, Agnes P. Miranda, Rafael "Paeng" Nebres, George Poblete, and Arturo T. Viola(photo not available ). Three other seniors, namely Erlinda Insigne, Rolando M. Dela Cruz and Joel Recla were presented with "Certificates of Recognition" as well.
Employing a structured evaluation/rating scale and after a thorough deliberation and careful analysis of the documents presented, the OFCSYA judges have decided and selected the winners according to the following established criteria: 1)profession/ career in the private sector or government service -10 %, 2)civic affiliation, community & volunteer work - 20 %, 3)professional association or union membership - 5%, 4)professional certification or licence -10 %, 5)awards, honours, distinctions received - 15 %, 6) education and training-10%, and 7) overall assessment --30% i.e. effectiveness, impact, quality, commitment, engagement , and amount of accomplishments, contributions, service and volunteer time to the community before and after the age of 65.
The FCT -OFCSYA board of judges is composed of Dr Alice Herrera, University of the Philippines Alumni Association -Toronto President; Steve Pagao, Philippine Chamber of Commerce -Toronto President; Nita Rejdik, Filipino Centre Toronto Director; Garry Tanuan, Toronto Catholic District School Board Trustee; Antonio Villarin, Toronto Solicitor-Barrister; and Tony A. San Juan, retired Toronto educator ( Chairman).
Introducing briefly, Carol Banez, a registered nurse, is president of Scarborough Ontario Seniors Association & ex-president of Philippine Heritage Band; Norma Carpio, a travel agency owner, is chair emerita of Mabuhay Philippines Festival & former president of Philippine Independence Day Council; Ted Dayno, a CPA, is an entrepreneur & president of UMAC & FOREX; Agnes Miranda, a supporter of community organisations, is the senior executive vice-chair of World Financial Group; Rafael Nebres, a community & faith-based leader, is the general manager of Action Honda; George Poblete, a retired engineer, is a top officer of the Knights of Columbus & the Knights of Rizal; and Arturo T. Viola, a retired medical technology manager, is former politician and Lord Mayor of the Niagara- on- the- Lake township. Also, Erlinda Insigne, a real estate broker is long-serving president of Filipino Canadian Assn. of Vaughan; Rolando Dela Cruz, a Lion & former district governor, is an optical lab technician; and Joel Recla, a K of C Maharlika member, is a multicultural TV-Radio producer, creator & host.
In attendance were dignitaries, civic and community leaders such as Canadian Members of Parliament Shaun Chen, Salma Zahid & Majid Jowhari, Philippine Deputy Consul General Bernadette Fernandez, Toronto Councillor Cynthia Lai, Gary Gladstone, Jess Cabrias, Joe Damasco, Earl Dacara, Karen Binaday, Ramon Estaris, Ed Prillo, Ed Joaquin, Mel Galeon, Suzy Llanera, Willie Rafanan, Lito Martin & Danny Orbillo. Nestor Canton and Catherine Chan ably hosted the evening's program.
Organised in 1990 as a not -for- profit, volunteer-run, community-based organisation, the Filipino Centre Toronto-FCT operates and offers its many well- established programs and services to the community from its newly owned site at 4395 Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario M1S 1T9. The current major officers are Mary Ann S. San Juan, President & CEO and Efren De Villa, Chairman of the Board of Directors. ( Tony A.San Juan, OCT.)