2 Pinoys among Top 25 Immigrant awardees

2 Pinoys among Top 25 Immigrant awardees

Perla Javate (2nd from right) receiving award.

Two Filipino Canadians are among the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants for 2016.

Perla Javate, an educator and community activist who resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Renan Orquiza, engineer and community activist of Mississauga, Ontario are honorees, along with the 23 other recipients, during annual award ceremonies, June 21 in Toronto, and June 23 in Vancouver. Presented by Canadian Immigrant magazine and sponsored by RBC, this annual awards program celebrates the achievements of inspiring Canadian immigrants. Awardees this year include artists, academics, entrepreneurs and activists for several worthy causes.

Javate is currently president of the Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba, Filipino community liaison officer for the Winnipeg School Division. She has recently been named president of Pinays Manitoba Inc., a women’s group advocating for the rights and welfare of Filipino women, especially caregivers and temporary foreign workers. She is also involved with Stronger Together Initiative, a joint undertaking to connect immigrants and refugees of all cultures.

Renan Orquiza of Mississauga

“Being a Canadian means accepting our multicultural heritage, accepting and respecting each other, and allowing ourselves to be enriched by different cultures,” she says as quoted by Canadian Immigrant online. “I am proud to be a Filipino-Canadian,” she adds.

Orquiza is a project manager at Watters Environmental Group Inc. He serves as the environmental committee chair for Professional Engineers Ontario, and volunteers to promote environmental issues. The 30-year-old also serves as the event ambassador for the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, where he liaises with the public on matters of conservation.

“I have always been passionate about sharing my experiences and knowledge with people in need,” Orquiza says, as quoted in canadianimmigrant.ca
The RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants awards program is also supported by the Toronto Star, Metro Newspaper, Sing Tao, CBC Toronto and South Asian Focus newspaper.
(MAG)