Educational Excellence Award (Post-Secondary)

Dr. Francis Diaz (MB)

Dr. Diaz, a first-generation immigrant from Dasmariñas City, Cavite, moved to Winnipeg at 16. After earning his Bachelor of Science, he entered the Master of Occupational Therapy (OT) program, where he led research and community initiatives, including a year-long project with a First Nations community. This work secured a multi-year federal grant for a youth disability
program. He also researched pediatric pain and developed a workplace disclosure guide for HIV. Although fulfilled by his OT work, Dr. Diaz chose to pursue medical school to reach a broader audience. Throughout his MD degree, he was recognized for academic and research excellence, completed additional training for a Bachelor of Science in Medicine, co-authored medical journal articles, and received prestigious awards. Now a 3rd-year Pediatrics Resident at the University of Manitoba, he is also completing a Master of Education at the University of Alberta. His passion for learning and teaching future medical professionals is evident and
admirable.

Educator of the Year

Edward Cruz (ON)

Edward Cruz is a tenured Associate Professor and will be the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs at the Faculty of Nursing, University of Windsor, starting July 1, 2024. He is among the few Philippine-educated nurses in a tenured position at a Canadian university. An expert in
internationally educated nurses (IENs) and bridging education, Dr. Cruz serves on committees for IEN credentialing, including the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing and the National Nursing Assessment Service. As co-chair of the Partners in Integration and Education of IENs since 2019, he has organized seven national conferences and webinars. At UWindsor, he developed the Collaborative Research Program in Social Care, Health Human Resources, Interprofessional Collaboration, and Nursing Education (CoRe-SHINE). Dr. Cruz has received CAD$618,715 in research grants, including a Social Science and Humanities Research Council Grant to explore the employment trajectory of Philippine-educated nurses in Ontario. He is also the only Filipino Canadian inducted into the Canadian Academy of Nursing.

Young Leader of the Year Award

Jeanae Elisha Ventura (AB)

Elisha Ventura, a 14-year-old youth philanthropist, has been a dedicated humanitarian and advocate for change, making a significant impact in her community. At just 9 years old, she founded the Gift of Hope Program, demonstrating her commitment to helping others. Her efforts have earned her numerous accolades, including the Community Achievement Award for Youth 2023 by the City of Calgary (the first Filipino-Canadian Youth to receive this honor), the Daughter’s Day award by CIWA, and the Community Spirit Award in 2019. She also held titles such as Junior Miss Calgary 2019-2020, Junior Miss Galaxy Canada 2021-2022, and Jr.
Teen Galaxy International 2022-2023. Jean continues to be actively involved in community efforts, speaking on behalf of her causes and supporting those in need. Her message is clear: be the change you wish to see, and leave a mark you’re proud of through love, compassion, and service.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Marcos Bordeos (MB)

Marcos (Macky) Bordeos, founder of McCare Global Group of Companies, is nominated for
Entrepreneur of the Year for his remarkable achievements and impact in healthcare, immigration, and consulting. Since founding McCare Global Healthcare Services Inc. in Winnipeg in 2014, Bordeos expanded to include McCare Global Healthcare Services Inc USA, McCare Global Immigration Services Inc, and McCare Global Consulting Inc. His leadership has driven impressive growth, with a 71% increase in sales from 2021-2022 to 2022-2023, and a 1,600% growth since 2014. Bordeos’s dedication goes beyond profit; he champions fair compensation for nurses and supports Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) with scholarships and guidance. His ethical approach and commitment to community support highlight his leadership and significant business success.

Business Excellence Award

McCare Global Healthcare Services Inc. (MB)

Global Healthcare Services Inc., founded in 2014 in Winnipeg, has excelled in healthcare staffing across Canada. Initially focused on Manitoba, McCare expanded to Saskatchewan in 2017, British Columbia in 2020, and Alberta in 2022. They now manage over 150 contracts monthly and recently secured a $1.5M contract with the Government of Northwest Territories and a $2M contract with Indigenous Services Canada for Northern communities. McCare’s growth and strategic expansion reflect their commitment to high-quality services and fair compensation, enhancing healthcare delivery and supporting rural hospitals. Their innovative training programs and social responsibility initiatives highlight their leadership in the industry.

Excellence Award in Arts and Culture

Dr. Marissa Largo (ON)

Dr. Marissa Largo is nominated for her exceptional impact in arts and culture as a researcher, artist, curator, and educator. With a PhD in Social Justice Education from the University of Toronto, she has a distinguished career in visual arts and education. She taught secondary visual arts from 2006 to 2020, earning the OCAD University Teaching Award in 2020, and contributed significantly as an assistant professor at NSCAD University. Her forthcoming book, Unsettling Imaginaries: Filipinx Contemporary Artists in Canada, and co-edited volume, Diasporic
Intimacies: Queer Filipinos and Canadian Imaginaries, highlight her exploration of Filipinx identities. As an editor at the Journal of Asian Diasporic Visual Cultures and the Americas, she shapes Asian diasporic art discourse. Her curatorial project, Elusive Desires, won the 2022 Galeries Ontario Award. Dr. Largo is also developing York University’s Creative Technologies BFA program, launching in 2024.

Excellence Award in Media

Ron Gagalac (ON)

Ron Gagalac is a seasoned broadcast journalist with over 24 years of experience in the Philippines and Canada. His career includes work with major media organizations such as Rogers Media Inc., OMNI Television Canada, ABS-CBN, and Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp. Ron has covered diverse topics, from the Filipino diaspora in Canada to global events and armed conflicts. His expertise spans news writing, editing, reporting, and editorial management. Recently, his special report “Hustle Queen” explores the struggles of Filipino immigrants in Canada, focusing on a mother juggling multiple jobs to support her family back home. This report critiques the Canadian immigration system and highlights broader migrant issues. Another significant piece revisits the Reodica family’s fight for justice after the 2004 police shooting of Jeffrey Reodica in Toronto. With experience in countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, and Canada, and specialized training, Ron has honed his skills in both Canadian and international journalism.

Senior Achievement Award

Orlando Racacho (QC)

Orlando Racacho migrated to Canada in 1965 and married Luz Bermejo, R.N. Orlando served as the Director of Behavioral and Recreational Therapy at Douglas Hospital in Verdun from 1965 to 1970 and later trained in psychotherapy at Adler Institute, Chicago. He then entered the import-export business, becoming the first Filipino trader at Canadian National Trade Shows from 1970 to 1985. As a civic leader, he was president of FAMAS and FAPQ and national chairman of the United Council of Filipino Associations. He contributed to Expo ’67, served as vice-consul for the 1976 Philippine Olympic delegation, and was a member of the Consultative Commission on Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism, earning him the Silver Jubilee Medal from Canada in 1977. Currently, I provide volunteer psychotherapy for stroke patients at local rehabilitation centers.

Manggagawang Pilipino Of The Year Award

Dr. Porfiria Padrina (ON)

Dr. Porfiria Pedrina is an exceptional leader recognized for her dedication, expertise, and
impact on her students’ lives. Her journey, marked by resilience and determination, started from
humble beginnings and was supported by organizations like World Vision, which fueled her
empathy and commitment to giving back. Her accolades include the Queen Elizabeth Platinum
Jubilee Medallion in 2023, highlighting her profound influence. As a proponent of Canada’s first Filipino Bilingual Program, she demonstrated visionary leadership and successfully launched the program in 2018 through tireless advocacy and collaboration. A lifelong learner, Dr. Pedrina earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of Perpetual Help and a certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University. Her proactive approach to decolonizing education and her warm, supportive demeanor have created an inclusive learning environment.

Most Influential Community Organization of the Year

Kababayan Multicultural Centre (ON)

Kababayan Multicultural Centre (KMC) is nominated for its exceptional 46-year commitment to  supporting Filipino newcomers in Toronto. KMC’s leadership shines through its client-centered services, addressing the needs of youth, seniors, and women among other groups. In 2022-2023, KMC served over 3,133 clients, providing 8,675 services including settlement, employment support, and community connections. The center offers multilingual services in English, Tagalog, Hindi, Farsi, Nepali, and Spanish and advocates against systemic barriers. KMC notably led the Task Force to Stop Racism in 1993, removing discriminatory policies, and was a founding member of the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses and OCASI. Its ongoing funding from federal, provincial, and municipal sources underscores its effective, impactful service and trusted management.

Community Service Award

Rolly Mangante (ON)

After moving from the Philippines in 1993, Rolly Mangante worked at the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and noticed a lack of Filipino festivals. Inspired to make a change, he founded the Philippine Cultural Community Centre in 2008. Despite initial doubts, Mangante spearheaded the creation of the Taste of Manila festival. Launched in 2014, it quickly became the largest Filipino festival outside the Philippines. The inaugural event drew 75,000 visitors, with attendance soaring to 200,000 in 2015 and 350,000 in 2016. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s surprise visit further boosted its global recognition. Today, Taste of Manila is celebrated for showcasing Filipino food, crafts, and culture, reflecting Mangante’s dedication to enriching the community.

Pinoy of the Year  Award

Jerry Caingcoy (AB)

Jerry Caingcoy has made exceptional contributions to enhancing the reputation of the Filipino-Canadian community through visionary initiatives, tireless advocacy, and innovative projects. His efforts have significantly boosted the visibility, recognition, and impact of the community both in Canada and globally. Jerry played a crucial role in increasing the visibility and positive perception of Filipino-Canadians through strategic outreach, branding, and celebrating their achievements across various sectors. He has been instrumental in promoting Filipino culture and heritage, fostering a deeper appreciation of Filipino traditions within the broader Canadian context. Additionally, Jerry has strengthened community networks, enhancing their influence in societal and policy discussions. Widely recognized for his dedication, vision, and ability to inspire others, Jerry has elevated the brand of the Filipino-Canadian community, fostering pride, identity, and collective achievement.

GBA Lifetime Achievement Award

DR. SAMUEL PERALTA (ON)

Over a forty-year career, Dr. Samuel Peralta has pursued successful paths in both the arts and the sciences. Born in Manila in 1962, his first recognition came at 18, when he became the youngest-ever winner of the Palanca Memorial Award for Literature in English poetry for his book “Pacific.”

After finishing his physics PhD in the UK, he came to Canada as a researcher at the University of Toronto and Ontario Power Generation, where he was awarded the New Technology Award and President’s Award for Innovation. His poetry also won awards from the BBC, the UK Poetry Society, the League of Canadian Poets, and a spotlight for Best American Poetry.

His 23-volume anthology series “The Future Chronicles” was all Amazon’s #1 bestsellers in speculative fiction. Dr. Peralta’s 5-book poetry series “The Semaphore Collection” hit #1 in American Poetry on Amazon. His novel was shortlisted for Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy and hit the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists in 2017.

Peralta began producing and supporting independent films in 2009 and is credited with 120+ films, including “The Fencer,” which earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2015, “Little Wing,” which was shortlisted for an Academy Award (Oscar) in 2016, and “Real Artists,” which won an Emmy Award in 2019. He was commissioned to compose the 400th anniversary hymn for the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, for which he was recognized with a Grandes Figuras award in music.

As a painter, his Mondrian-inspired work debuted at the 2023 CONTEXT / Art Miami / Art Basel international art fairs.

Meanwhile, his accomplishments in technology and business continued. Alongside a career that saw him publish over 150 scientific publications, including for the NATO Advanced Study Institute, he co-founded the companies POET Technologies, Enerev5, Cobalt Blockchain, Mintrax, OPEL International, Qvadis Mobile, and OH Solar — companies with a combined market value at their peak of over a billion dollars.

He continues to work at his private company, Incandence, on boards of directors and as a mentor at the University of Toronto’s ICUBE start-up accelerator, where he was awarded the Mentorship Excellence Award in 2024.
He and his wife are lifetime art collectors, profiled in Fine Art Connoisseur, PoetsArtists, Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, and elsewhere. They are also named sponsors of the Yayoi Kusama room at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Dr. Peralta has curated art exhibits for 33 Contemporary Gallery, artNXTlevel, Artsy.net, the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Zhou B Art Center and is a juror for the International ARC Salon for the Art Renewal Center.

His most significant project, merging his love of science and art, is the Lunar Codex – established in 2020 and profiled in the New York Times, on CNN, the Guardian, the Toronto Star, Toronto Life, and in over 500 international articles and interviews. The Lunar Codex is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to preserve the works of over 35,000 writers, artists, musicians, and filmmakers from 253 countries, territories, and Indigenous nations worldwide. This project, which involves the use of advanced technology and collaboration with NASA’s Artemis program, is a testament to Dr. Peralta’s innovative approach to preserving and celebrating human creativity. These works are preserved in miniature on nickel discs, ceramic slides, synthetic DNA, and digital memory and launched from Earth to space, the Moon, and beyond, alongside the partners of NASA’s Artemis program to return humanity to the Moon.

The Lunar Codex’s first launch successfully orbited the Moon in November 2023. While a second launch burned up in Earth’s atmosphere, a third launch successfully landed at the lunar South Pole in February 2024. Three more launches are slated to land on the Moon, with a fourth bypassing the Moon and headed to the asteroid belt, one million kilometres from Earth.
​Because of his Philippine heritage, Dr. Peralta ensured that the Lunar Codex includes the work of many Filipino artists, writers, and musicians. These includes Ryan Cayabyab, Gary Valenciano, Angeli Pangilinan, Gab Valenciano, the APO Hiking Society, Moira De La Torre, Angela Ken, BGYO, and BINI.

The Lunar Codex art collection of Philippine artists is genuinely enormous. It includes a wide range of works, from traditional paintings and sculptures to contemporary digital art and music. The collection features works from renowned artists such as Napoleon V. Abueva, Fernando Amorsolo, Ang Kiukok, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Agnes Arellano, Norma Belleza, Jana Benitez, Rosario Bitanga, Elmer Borlongan, Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera, Michael Cacnio, Eduardo Castrillo, Roberto Chabet, Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco, Anita Magsaysay Ho, Jose Joya, Yeo Kaa, Prudencio Lamarroza, Cesar Legaspi, Lao Lianben, Juan Luna, Arturo Luz, Vicente Manansala, Hernando R. Ocampo, Manuel Ocampo, Romulo Olazo, Onib Olmedo, Ramon Orlina, Juvenal Sanso, Mauro “Malang” Santos, Solomon Saprid, Romeo Tabuena, Lydia Velasco, Ronald Ventura, Oscar Zalameda, Fernando Zobel, and hundreds and hundreds more.

Incidentally, the Lunar Codex includes works by the celebrated Filipino-Canadian artist Karissa Narukami, who is a nominee for the 2024 Golden Balangay Awards.
All these Philippine historical and contemporary artists, musicians, and writers—some already present in the February 2024 landing—are in time capsules declared by the Artemis Accords, signed by 43 countries, to be preserved in perpetuity as part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

With its cargo of contemporary arts and culture, the Lunar Codex is the single largest global heritage project of its kind, a testament to Dr. Peralta’s visionary work in the arts and sciences.