Brampton Filipina runs for Councillor

Brampton Filipina runs for Councillor

BRAMPTON–During the third annual gala night of the Federation of Filipino Canadians of Brampton last May 27th, Joyce Rodriguez announced her nomination to run for council in Brampton in the upcoming November municipal elections.

She acknowledged that it is time to elect someone who will listen to and represent the unique needs of a diverse and multicultural community. She told the crowd that “we are visible and should be visible, but never, ever think of ourselves as minorities.”

A 17-year resident of Brampton, she is competing with five other candidates to represent Wards 2 and 6. Ward 2 is bounded by McLaughlin Road to the west, Mayfield to the north, Heart Lake to the east, and Bovaird to the south. Ward 6 is bounded by Winston Churchill to the west, Mayfield to the north, McLaughlin to the east, north of Bovaird, and Chinguacousy to the east, south of Bovaird, until the south boundary between Brampton and Mississauga. Ward 2 has enjoyed rapid housing developments since the last municipal elections, while Ward 6 is currently mostly agricultural lands.

Joyce migrated to Canada 33 years ago with her parents and four brothers. She was a City of Etobicoke high school honour student, before moving to Hamilton to attend McMaster University. She is an author of two Philippine heritage publications: My First Abakada Alphabet, a flashcard reading tool to help young readers learn the English alphabet along with the Filipino alphabet; and Isang Daan, a coffee-table book featuring photographs she has taken herself during a trip to the Philippines for the centennial celebration of Philippine independence in 1998.

In the greater Toronto area, the name Joyce Rodriguez is synonymous with “busy with volunteering”. She is a member of the Boards of Director of Peel Multicultural Council, Filipino Health and Education Foundation, Federation of Filipino Canadians of Brampton, and Our Lady Mother of Priests Foundation. She is also a committee member for the Finance, Personnel and Administration Committee of the Peel Multicultural Council, and the Community Relations Officer of the Federation of Filipino Canadians of Brampton.

A free-lance graphic designer, Joyce designed the cornerstone of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church; and as the creative director for Philippine Pavilion Carabram 2005, she led the pavilion into winning first place in all judged categories of Carabram – a first in the 21-year history of the pavilion. Joyce and husband of William are parents to two sons, both valedictorians, Miquelon and Patrick. Volunteering are needed to become canvassers, scrutineers, lawn sign installers, or to help with fund-raising events. For more information, please call Danny Bitanga at (416) 451-3320 or Joyce Rodriguez at (905) 796-0573.

(PRESS RELEASE)