Filipino-Canadian Youth Role Models Honoured

Press Release – February 7, 2010

Filipino-Canadian Youth Role Models Honoured

Fifteen Filipino-Canadian youths were honoured at the First Filipino-Canadian Youth Achievement Awards Gala hosted by the Filipino-Canadian Leaders for Leaders Foundation on February 6, 2010 at the Marconi Centre in Ottawa. The gala was attended by approximately 300 guests including the Philippine Ambassador to Canada H.E. Jose S. Brillantes and Mr. Jim Watson, as guest speakers, honourable Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, chairman of the Award selection committee and the four members including Gary Lacey, Sharon McGary, Adrian Harewood and Ana Karina Tabunar.

Four awards, consisting of a trophy and a $500 cash prize, were presented in the categories of academic excellence, arts and culture and community service and leadership.

The awardees are:
Marie Coligado, Academic Excellence --- Marie is a 17-year old Grade 11 student at St. Matthew Catholic High School with a grade point average of 95%, who has consistently made the Honour Roll throughout high school. She is a Math Olympic Medallist, a Public Speaking Awardee in French, a Drama Department Awardee, a Director Of Education Award recipient and an active community volunteer. She is also a writer in the Student Orleans Journal.

Patrick Cuenco, Academic Excellence --- Patrick is 29-years old and completed a Master of Arts, International Affairs, Carleton University (2008), Magister en Marketing, Inginiera Comercial Universidad Adolfo Ibanez, Chile (2003 and a Bachelor of International Business, High Honours, Carleton University (2004), Baccalaureat Francais General, Lycee Carnot, France (1998). He is a recipient of numerous scholarships and consistently made the Dean’s Honours List. He is currently a Trade Policy Officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Sandro Pangilinan, Arts and Culture --- Sandro is a 22 year- old graduate in Culinary Management from Algonquin College. He won the Gold Medal in the 20th Annual Skills Canada Competition (2009), the Gold Medal in the 14th Annual Hot Food Competition, Algonquin College, 2009 and was named Culinary Student of the Year 2009.

Juanita Bawagan, Community Service and Leadership --- Juanita is a well rounded, 18 year-old first year student in Journalism at Carleton University. She received an Entrance scholarship and was a Millennium Excellence Award Laureate for excellence in academics, community service, leadership and innovation. She was honoured with the Canterbury Community Association Mark and Shanti Inman Award in Community service for her volunteer work with CHEO, Carolling for Canned Goods initiative, National Gallery of Canada Teen Council and the Ottawa Folk Festival.

The 2009-2010 Youth Achievement Awards is sponsored by the Filipino-Canadian Leaders for Leaders Foundation to recognize the achievements of Filipino-Canadian youth in the National Capital Region, to identify role models for Filipino-Canadian youth, and to encourage them to be engaged participants and leaders in Canadian society.