Marissa Largo and KMC among top awardees and first-ever National Scholarship launched

Marissa Largo and KMC among top awardees and first-ever National Scholarship launched

The 2024 Golden Balangay Awardees

Golden Balangay Awards 2024 Honors Filipino-Canadian Excellence:

September 7, 2024

By Leny Rose Simbre

NIAGARA FALLS– The Golden Balangay Awards returned in a grand celebration this year, shining a spotlight on the outstanding achievements of Filipino Canadians across the country. Hosted at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel & Conference Centre, the 2024 ceremony honored exceptional individuals and organizations, highlighting their contributions to community building, arts, business, and beyond.

Among the night’s top honorees was Dr. Marissa Largo, who received the Excellence in Arts and Culture Award. Dr. Largo is a renowned researcher, artist, curator, and educator whose work on race, gender, and Asian diasporic cultural production has made a profound impact on both the Filipino and Canadian arts scenes. With a PhD in Social Justice Education from the University of Toronto, she has been a powerful advocate for underrepresented voices in galleries, museums, and educational institutions.

Dr. Marissa Largo Receives the Prestigious Excellence Award in Arts and Culture.

During her acceptance speech, Dr. Largo expressed deep appreciation for the recognition:
“I am honored to receive this award in the presence of my family and colleagues. This recognition from the community is particularly meaningful.  I also emphasized the importance of creating reflections of our community in galleries, museums, and education. I also acknowledged the incredible artists I work with, including Julius Poncelet Manapul, Marigold Santos, and Kuh del Rosario. This award belongs to them as much as it does to me. I am inspired to continue nurturing and chronicling Filipino/x art in Canada as it becomes an undeniable force. Maraming salamat po to the Golden Balangay Foundation for this honor.”

The Kababayan Multicultural Centre (KMC) was also a standout winner, taking home the award for Most Influential Community Organization. Over the last 47 years, KMC has been at the forefront of supporting newcomers, especially within the Filipino community. Last year alone, the organization provided over 8,600 services to more than 3,000 clients, making a significant impact on the lives of immigrants and their families across Canada. “This award is a testament to our journey of building a welcoming and inclusive environment,” shared Chairman Ben Corpuz and Executive Director Rizza Solis in their acceptance. “It motivates us to continue empowering our community and amplifying the stories of those we serve.”

Dr. Marissa Largo with Rachelle Cruz, GB Red Carpet Emcee

This year’s Golden Balangay Awards not only celebrated individual accomplishments but also launched a transformative initiative: the Filipino-Canadian Scholarship, a collaboration between the Golden Balangay Foundation and Kabangka Canada. As the first scholarship of its kind, it aims to support Filipino-Canadian students pursuing post-secondary education by providing financial aid and encouraging diverse career paths. The scholarship represents a significant investment in the future of Filipino-Canadian youth, reinforcing the commitment to educational excellence within the community.

The night was a star-studded affair, with appearances by notable figures like Senator Flordeliz Osler, who delivered a rousing keynote address, as well as Lt. Colonel Joseph Nonato, and Dr. Eileen De Villa who received the 2023  Lifetime Achievement Award and actress Donita Rose, who graced the event with their presence.

Kababayan Multicultural Centre Recognized as 2024’s Most Influential Community Organization, with Chairman Ben Corpuz and Executive Director Rizza Solis accepting the Award.

Other winners of the Golden Balangay Awards 2024 included:

• McCare Global Healthcare Services Inc. – Business Excellence
• Macky P. Bordeos – Entrepreneur of the Year
• Porfiria Pedrina – Manggagawang Pilipino of the Year
• Jerry Caingcoy – Pinoy of the Year
• Samuel Peralta – Lifetime Achievement Award
• Ron Gagalac – Excellence in Media
• Rolly Mangante – Community Service
• Edward Cruz – Educator of the Year
• Francis Diaz – Educational Excellence (Post-Secondary)
• Orlando Racacho – Senior Achievement
• Jeanae Elisha Ventura – Young Leader of the Year

Reflecting on the success of the event, Golden Balangay Foundation President Ronnie Dela Gana remarked: “We are thrilled to once again bring together individuals and organizations from coast to coast to celebrate Filipino-Canadian excellence. As we say, ‘Libu-libong kwento ng paglalakbay, isang gabing pagdiriwang ng tagumpay.'” 

The evening culminated in a Charity Ball, where guests continued to celebrate the achievements of the Filipino-Canadian community. The Golden Balangay Awards remains a powerful platform for recognizing the contributions of Filipino Canadians, serving as an enduring source of pride and inspiration for all.

Golden Balangay nominees pose with actress Donita Rose, who graced the event with her presence.

Arriane Destreza, of the GB production team, alongside Senator Flordeliz Osler and Rachelle Cruz, GB National Ambassadress and Red Carpet Emcee.

Brady Secord shares a moment with Lt. Colonel Joseph Nonato, keynote speaker of the Golden Balangay Awards night.