OBITUARY: Paulina Jocelyn Toribio Balisi Corpuz

OBITUARY: Paulina Jocelyn Toribio Balisi Corpuz

PAULINA JOCELYN TORIBIO BALISI CORPUZ
1963 – 2022

Paulina Jocelyn Toribio Balisi Corpuz passed away at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital on November 6, 2022. She is survived by her husband, Ben, and her children Belinda, Isabella and Benson. She is also survived by her many beloved siblings.

Paulina obtained a Psychology degree from the University of the Philippines and worked in various non-profit organizations. Hailing from Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines, she came to Canada to unite with her husband in 1993.

Paulina is known for championing and advancing community causes – from arts and culture, education, workers’ rights and politics:

Her first job was being a pioneer and coordinator in the workers’ cooperative union of San Miguel Corporation in the Philippines. She helped form the team from a small capitalization to a thriving system, helping hundreds of workers and their families.

Paulina with husband Ben and children Belinda, Isabella and Benson.

Paulina’s passion to serve the community continued even after immigrating to Canada. Her notable community work includes her campaign to run for Toronto Catholic School Trustee in 2014. In 2018, she ran as Council Candidate for Ward 20 (Scarborough Southwest). As a candidate, she provided a diverse perspective and rich experience as a woman of colour, a social justice advocate, an entrepreneur and most of all, a mother.

Paulina is President and co-founder of Philippine Advancement Through Arts and Culture (PATAC) that funded cultural initiatives benefiting Filipinos, particularly the youth in both Canada and the Philippines. She also co-hosted TV Migrante Canada, a program that focused on local and Philippine national issues that is accessible to viewers across Canada and beyond. Her community advocacy includes her work with the Filipinos Workers Network, supporting the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre (Philippines). She was a member of the PIDC (Philippine Independence Day Council) council of leaders, acting as a Press Relations Officer and Women’s Diversity in the CMC (Canadian Multicultural Centre of Asians in Ontario), and the President of the Filipino Canadian Parents Association in Catholic Education (FCPACE).

Paulina was best known for her advocacy to have the City of Toronto declare the month of June as Filipino Heritage Month, which paved the way for the federal and provincial government to follow suit.

Paulina’s work in the community is well known and acknowledged, and she was honoured with numerous awards and recognitions. Her many awards include the Canadian Multicultural Council – Asians in Ontario, the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Toronto for her more than 30 years of community service and her work in the declaration of June as Filipino Heritage Month, the 2018 Golden Balangay Award, and the Quincentennial Award from Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto.

Ben and Paulina at PIDC Gala

Paulina was fond of poetry. Poems helped Paulina through the challenges she faced, but she never considered herself a poet. Her love for writing and prose is evident in her published poetry, providing you a taste of her gift as a writer. Together with her loving husband, Ben, she published a book of poems called Pagsinta, which celebrates their 30th wedding anniversary. The book speaks about their feelings, views, and perspectives. Her poetry is also published in AKDAAN 2, and AKDAAN 3.

Aside from all of her achievements, Paulina was a very loving and devoted wife, mother, and sister, and loved to be surrounded by family. She was also extremely funny, and always tried her best to make others feel at home. In spite of her numerous health issues, she constantly persevered. Paulina was fiercely independent and hard-working in everything that she did, with every action serving a purpose. She would always remind everyone around her to slow down, breathe, and live life on their own terms. This is the kind of person that Paulina was, and she will be dearly missed.

Rest in peace and power, Paulina. Thank you for everything.

Photos grabbed from
Ben Corpuz’s Facebook