The Outstanding Canadian Awards 2025
Since its inception in 2000, the Outstanding Canadian Foundation, now known as Outstanding Canadian Academy, has honored approximately 300 outstanding leaders and volunteers with unique medallions, symbolizing their dedication, achievements, and service to Canada’s multicultural society.
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Outstanding Canadian Awards, a Silver Anniversary Book will be published in 2025. This special edition will feature photos and short narratives of past award recipients, highlighting their invaluable contributions.
The Silver Anniversary Gala and Awards 2025 presentations will be held at Sheraton Parkway Hotel in Richmond Hill on Sunday, November 16, 2025. The event with lunch will be from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM and the charge per guest is $80.00. The event will be attended by previous awardees, invited dignitaries, and nominees. Kindly make your donation/payment payable to Outstanding Canadian Academy. Please submit your profile/photos not later than May 30, 2025 to: [email protected].
The Outstanding Canadian Awards will resume its activities in-person for this year, 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on most aspects of the Canadian economy particularly organizations like the Outstanding Canadian Foundation and the Outstanding Canadian Awards. The executives of OCA will announce this year that the nominations for the awards will be opened to all Canadians provided that they meet certain criteria. Further information will be announced with regards to the Outstanding Canadian Awards.
Announcements
The Outstanding Canadian Awards 2025 Committee announced at the beginning of the year that the nominations are open to Canadians who have achieved community leadership and services for at least 10 years. The applicants must be nominated by their Members of Parliament, previous awardees and the awards committee. See Contact for more information.
Presenting the 2021 Outstanding Canadian Awardees
The Outstanding Canadian Awards Committee have chosen the following fifteen Outstanding Canadians:
Rodolfo Cantiveros, Manitoba
Courtney Hilbig, Ontario
Anita Huberman, British Columbia
Mona Lancaster, Ontario
Cesar Manebo, Ontario
Muhammad Masood, Ontario
Kathleen Mochnacki, Ontario
Antonio Pasilabban, Jr., Ontario
Ludy Pasilabban, Ontario
Robert Prior, Ontario
Karen Sidhu, British Columbia
Teresa Torralba, Ontario
Haipeng Xie, Ontario
Edith Vallena
Rolando Vallena
The Outstanding Canadian Awards (OCA)
This year, previous outstanding Canadian awardees and the community at large will be invited to attend the presentation of the 2021 Outstanding Canadian Awards to be held in a venue that will be determined by the board members. The theme will focus on the Roles of Canadian Community Leaders to the outside world.
As a non-profit organization, the Outstanding Canadian Foundation will give a priority to follow others in supporting a communication campaign that seeks to promote Covid-19 awareness and response. We need the support of the previous and future awardees to accomplish this new proposed initiative.
UPDATE: 2021
The remote presentation of the awardees for 2021 will be held and announced at a later date.
Due to the outbreak of the pandemic, the volcano calamity fundraising campaign was suspended and a new proposal to support the campaign against the spread of the virus was established by the current executives of the foundation. Again, the support of the Canadian community leaders who were awarded by the foundation will be requested to participate in any way they can. Suggestions for means of support by the previous awardees should be directed/sent to the following email address: [email protected]
The Outstanding Canadian Awards Committee have chosen the following fifteen Outstanding Canadians:
Rodolfo Cantiveros, Manitoba
Courtney Hilbig, Ontario
Anita Huberman, British Columbia
Mona Lancaster, Ontario
Cesar Manebo, Ontario
Muhammad Masood, Ontario
Kathleen Mochnacki, Ontario
Antonio Pasilabban, Jr., Ontario
Ludy Pasilabban, Ontario
Robert Prior, Ontario
Karen Sidhu, British Columbia
Teresa Torralba, Ontario
Haipeng Xie, Ontario
Edith Vallena
Rolando Vallena
The Outstanding Canadian Awards (OCA)
This year, previous outstanding Canadian awardees and the community at large will be invited to attend the presentation of the 2021 Outstanding Canadian Awards to be held in a venue that will be determined by the board members. The theme will focus on the Roles of Canadian Community Leaders to the outside world.
As a non-profit organization, the Outstanding Canadian Foundation will give a priority to follow others in supporting a communication campaign that seeks to promote Covid-19 awareness and response. We need the support of the previous and future awardees to accomplish this new proposed initiative.
UPDATE: 2021
The remote presentation of the awardees for 2021 will be held and announced at a later date.
Due to the outbreak of the pandemic, the volcano calamity fundraising campaign was suspended and a new proposal to support the campaign against the spread of the virus was established by the current executives of the foundation. Again, the support of the Canadian community leaders who were awarded by the foundation will be requested to participate in any way they can. Suggestions for means of support by the previous awardees should be directed/sent to the following email address: [email protected]
Ray Alix
Over-all Chairman |
Lorenzo Villaruz, Jr.
Chairman |
William Saldanha
Executive Officer |
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THE OUTSTANDING CANADIAN COMMEMORATIVE BOOK WILL BE PUBLISHED.
Visit our website frequently for updates. The OUTSTANDING CANADIANS will be published by the OCA. It will feature the past and present Prime Ministers of Canada, and the Outstanding Canadian awardees from 2000 to the present. Order a placement page for your Personal or Family memento. For further information and business advertising rates, kindly inquire at: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ************************************************************ |
Outstanding Canadian Awards 2017 Committee Honors 100+ Canadians (The last in person awards ceremony organized by the Outstanding Canadian Foundation)
In celebration of Canada's 150 years of Confederation, more than 100 outstanding Canadians were selected and honoured by the Outstanding Canadian Awards Committee - Ontario, at a fitting and poignant ceremony on October 7, 2017 at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.
The event is a salient project of the Outstanding Canadian Awards Committee - Ontario (OCA), an Ontario non-profit organization established in 2000 to recognize Canadians who have demonstrated "unbridled love, compassion and commitment to their fellow Canadians in their respective communities". The Committee is composed of Chairman Ray Alix, Co-chairman Lorenzo Villaruz Jr, Executive Officer Roy Start and Outreach Officer,Maria Guiao. This is the committee's 4th award rite.
With 250 guests, family members and friends in attendance at the event, the honorees comprised of Canadians, mostly of Philippine descent, were introduced and awarded golden medallions each. The awardees, who were nominated by community & socio -professional organizations and their peers, and friends and were chosen based upon their remarkable achievements, admirable leadership, enriched engagements and notable contributions in their respective professions, careers, disciplines and community endeavors for the past 15 years.
In his opening remarks, OCA Chairman R. Alix graciously welcomed and thanked all the guests, donors, supporters and volunteers. Alix expressed that the exercise hopes "to achieve and aspire for our communities, the elusive collective unity, reasonable forgiveness, beneficial political maturity, and responsible approach towards a strong and progressive citizenry". The event, in many ways, reflect a promise for "positive and inspirational role models to the current and future generations".
The official messages and greetings of the Prime Minister and Ontario Premier were read respectively by Hon. Mary Ng, Liberal MP for Markham- Thornhill and Hon. Michael Chan, Liberal MPP for Markham-Unionville. Among the special guests who delivered their brief greetings and presented the awards were: Liberal MPP Michael Chan, Conservative Senator Tobias Enverga, Jr.; Hon. Salma Zahid, MP for Scarborough Centre; Mr. Garry Tanuan, TCDSB Trustee for Ward 8 and Robert Thompson, representative of MPP-Mississauga Centre candidate Angely Pacis.
The day's musical entertainers include: Josie De Leon, Jenifer Camacho, Elaine Virola, John Alix, Isan Aquino, and the Negrense Dancers led by Nisa Aliko.
WFG Executive Vice-chairman Agnes Miranda, in her inspirational talk, encouraged the guests to pursue and go into business the "WFG Way".
Masters of ceremonies Gisele Mirasol and Andy Cummings, ably and admirably handled the exciting 5- hour program. Forte Gerardo delivered a big "thank you speech" on behalf of his fellow awardees.
After a long and careful process and procedure, with over 240 nominees, the 100 plus honorees chosen under the 14 award categories, were:
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
JENIFER CAMACHO, LILAC CANA, JOSIE DE LEON, ELAINE VIROLA
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
EDGARDO ACUNA, EVELYN ADOR-DIONISIO, PERLITA ALILIO, ELSIE ALTAMIRANO, MANUEL ARNALDO, MILA CUACHON, RIZALDE CUACHON, ANITA DIAZ, MEL GALEON, CHANELE ANN GANANCIAL, FORTE GERARDO, JAIME GEROCHE, MARIA GEROCHE, GEORGE GONZALES, HAROLD GUARIN, VINCE GUTIERREZ, CHERYL KERR, TIM KWAN, LOVELY DONNA LUNA, VICA MANGALINDAN, MELINDA MANLAPAZ, HENRY MATSUBARA, AGNES MENDOZA, AGNES MIRANDA, GIZELE MIRASOL, LEAGGY MWANZA, RAFAEL NEBRES, ARLENE OLIVEROS, STEVE PAGAO, WILLIE REODICA, DEO ROJAS, MARISA ROQUE, WILLIAM SALDANHA, MELISSA UNIDAD, HELEN VALIDO, JESSE VALIDO, PERRY VILLANUEVA
CITIZENSHIP AND VOLUNTARISM
EMMA AGUILA, NISA ALIKO, DORY AVENIDO, ED BANEZ, LEO BAUTISTA, TERRY BAUTISTA, VERTH BUGTONG, AIDA CORTEZ, ZENY CRESCINI, DEOGRACIAS DEL MUNDO, YOLANDA DEL MUNDO, MARITA ENRIQUEZ, EFREN DE VILLA, BUENAVENTURA LOPEZ, THERESA LUMANLAN, MILA LUPANGO, ROSALINA MAGNO, ANNABELLE MIGALBIN, ZARINA MURJI, ALBERT NANQUIL, MINDA NERI, FE SANTOS, OFELIA SANTIAGO, BRIAN STORY, PRISCILLA TUMULAK, SEGUNDITO TUMULAK, AIDA VILLARUZ
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
EDWIN AGUILA, CAROL BANEZ, LINDA BAUTISTA, POPOY CANA, ROSE CRUZ, RAY DACILLO, NORMA DUSEN, GENE ELAMPARO, LINDA INSIGNE, LINDA JAVIER, SUSAN LLANERA, ROLANDO MANGANTE, AIMEE MARAVILLA, ERNEST W. MATTON, RUDY MONTANIEL, JO-ANN SILVERIO NAZAL, QUENTIN PALISOC, MARILOU PARCERO, FRAN PULUMBARIT, ED PANGANIBAN, ALICIA SIERVO, BONNER VILLABROZA
CULTURE AND HERITAGE
ESTRELLITA AGUINALDO, OSCAR FARINAS, JODELYN HUANG
EDUCATION
MAX COMIA, TONY A.SAN JUAN
HEALTH AND MEDICINE
MARIA ANG, DULCE BISMONTE, AURORA ELEFANO, AGNES MENDOZA, LEAGGY MWANZA, ROMEO PACULANAN, GRACE PARUCHA
LAW AND JUSTICE
MARILOU NEJAL, ANGELY PACIS,TONY VILLARIN, PAUL WILKINS
MEDIA
JESS CABRIAS, RENATO CALALANG, NESTOR CANTON, JOE DAMASCO, LI ERON, MARISA ROQUE, CARLOS UNAS
PUBLIC SERVICE
GARRY TANUAN, MILO VASSALLO
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
JELBERT REAL
SOCIAL WORK
FLOR DANDAL, MARIA GUIAO, AGNES MANASAN
SPORTS AND FITNESS
PHILIP BELOSO, JIM TORRES
SPECIAL CITATION (Awards were presented by Councillor Norm Kelly at the TorontoCity Hall on October 6, 2017)
RAY ALIX, RUBEN CUSIPAG (Posthumous), TESS CUSIPAG, ALEJO PARUCHA, SR. (Posthumous), ROY START, and LORENZO VILLARUZ JR.
The unique gathering, with its enviable fellowship and "what's new" sharing, elicited a day of great pride, promise and perspective..... a memorable milestone indeed!
(Outstanding Canadian Awards 2017 Committee-Ontario; Special Legal Counsel: PW Lawyers)
Contributors to the website are welcome to send photos (with captions) taken during the awards ceremonies on October 7, 2017 and the succeeding awards events to: [email protected].
In celebration of Canada's 150 years of Confederation, more than 100 outstanding Canadians were selected and honoured by the Outstanding Canadian Awards Committee - Ontario, at a fitting and poignant ceremony on October 7, 2017 at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.
The event is a salient project of the Outstanding Canadian Awards Committee - Ontario (OCA), an Ontario non-profit organization established in 2000 to recognize Canadians who have demonstrated "unbridled love, compassion and commitment to their fellow Canadians in their respective communities". The Committee is composed of Chairman Ray Alix, Co-chairman Lorenzo Villaruz Jr, Executive Officer Roy Start and Outreach Officer,Maria Guiao. This is the committee's 4th award rite.
With 250 guests, family members and friends in attendance at the event, the honorees comprised of Canadians, mostly of Philippine descent, were introduced and awarded golden medallions each. The awardees, who were nominated by community & socio -professional organizations and their peers, and friends and were chosen based upon their remarkable achievements, admirable leadership, enriched engagements and notable contributions in their respective professions, careers, disciplines and community endeavors for the past 15 years.
In his opening remarks, OCA Chairman R. Alix graciously welcomed and thanked all the guests, donors, supporters and volunteers. Alix expressed that the exercise hopes "to achieve and aspire for our communities, the elusive collective unity, reasonable forgiveness, beneficial political maturity, and responsible approach towards a strong and progressive citizenry". The event, in many ways, reflect a promise for "positive and inspirational role models to the current and future generations".
The official messages and greetings of the Prime Minister and Ontario Premier were read respectively by Hon. Mary Ng, Liberal MP for Markham- Thornhill and Hon. Michael Chan, Liberal MPP for Markham-Unionville. Among the special guests who delivered their brief greetings and presented the awards were: Liberal MPP Michael Chan, Conservative Senator Tobias Enverga, Jr.; Hon. Salma Zahid, MP for Scarborough Centre; Mr. Garry Tanuan, TCDSB Trustee for Ward 8 and Robert Thompson, representative of MPP-Mississauga Centre candidate Angely Pacis.
The day's musical entertainers include: Josie De Leon, Jenifer Camacho, Elaine Virola, John Alix, Isan Aquino, and the Negrense Dancers led by Nisa Aliko.
WFG Executive Vice-chairman Agnes Miranda, in her inspirational talk, encouraged the guests to pursue and go into business the "WFG Way".
Masters of ceremonies Gisele Mirasol and Andy Cummings, ably and admirably handled the exciting 5- hour program. Forte Gerardo delivered a big "thank you speech" on behalf of his fellow awardees.
After a long and careful process and procedure, with over 240 nominees, the 100 plus honorees chosen under the 14 award categories, were:
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
JENIFER CAMACHO, LILAC CANA, JOSIE DE LEON, ELAINE VIROLA
BUSINESS AND FINANCE
EDGARDO ACUNA, EVELYN ADOR-DIONISIO, PERLITA ALILIO, ELSIE ALTAMIRANO, MANUEL ARNALDO, MILA CUACHON, RIZALDE CUACHON, ANITA DIAZ, MEL GALEON, CHANELE ANN GANANCIAL, FORTE GERARDO, JAIME GEROCHE, MARIA GEROCHE, GEORGE GONZALES, HAROLD GUARIN, VINCE GUTIERREZ, CHERYL KERR, TIM KWAN, LOVELY DONNA LUNA, VICA MANGALINDAN, MELINDA MANLAPAZ, HENRY MATSUBARA, AGNES MENDOZA, AGNES MIRANDA, GIZELE MIRASOL, LEAGGY MWANZA, RAFAEL NEBRES, ARLENE OLIVEROS, STEVE PAGAO, WILLIE REODICA, DEO ROJAS, MARISA ROQUE, WILLIAM SALDANHA, MELISSA UNIDAD, HELEN VALIDO, JESSE VALIDO, PERRY VILLANUEVA
CITIZENSHIP AND VOLUNTARISM
EMMA AGUILA, NISA ALIKO, DORY AVENIDO, ED BANEZ, LEO BAUTISTA, TERRY BAUTISTA, VERTH BUGTONG, AIDA CORTEZ, ZENY CRESCINI, DEOGRACIAS DEL MUNDO, YOLANDA DEL MUNDO, MARITA ENRIQUEZ, EFREN DE VILLA, BUENAVENTURA LOPEZ, THERESA LUMANLAN, MILA LUPANGO, ROSALINA MAGNO, ANNABELLE MIGALBIN, ZARINA MURJI, ALBERT NANQUIL, MINDA NERI, FE SANTOS, OFELIA SANTIAGO, BRIAN STORY, PRISCILLA TUMULAK, SEGUNDITO TUMULAK, AIDA VILLARUZ
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
EDWIN AGUILA, CAROL BANEZ, LINDA BAUTISTA, POPOY CANA, ROSE CRUZ, RAY DACILLO, NORMA DUSEN, GENE ELAMPARO, LINDA INSIGNE, LINDA JAVIER, SUSAN LLANERA, ROLANDO MANGANTE, AIMEE MARAVILLA, ERNEST W. MATTON, RUDY MONTANIEL, JO-ANN SILVERIO NAZAL, QUENTIN PALISOC, MARILOU PARCERO, FRAN PULUMBARIT, ED PANGANIBAN, ALICIA SIERVO, BONNER VILLABROZA
CULTURE AND HERITAGE
ESTRELLITA AGUINALDO, OSCAR FARINAS, JODELYN HUANG
EDUCATION
MAX COMIA, TONY A.SAN JUAN
HEALTH AND MEDICINE
MARIA ANG, DULCE BISMONTE, AURORA ELEFANO, AGNES MENDOZA, LEAGGY MWANZA, ROMEO PACULANAN, GRACE PARUCHA
LAW AND JUSTICE
MARILOU NEJAL, ANGELY PACIS,TONY VILLARIN, PAUL WILKINS
MEDIA
JESS CABRIAS, RENATO CALALANG, NESTOR CANTON, JOE DAMASCO, LI ERON, MARISA ROQUE, CARLOS UNAS
PUBLIC SERVICE
GARRY TANUAN, MILO VASSALLO
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
JELBERT REAL
SOCIAL WORK
FLOR DANDAL, MARIA GUIAO, AGNES MANASAN
SPORTS AND FITNESS
PHILIP BELOSO, JIM TORRES
SPECIAL CITATION (Awards were presented by Councillor Norm Kelly at the TorontoCity Hall on October 6, 2017)
RAY ALIX, RUBEN CUSIPAG (Posthumous), TESS CUSIPAG, ALEJO PARUCHA, SR. (Posthumous), ROY START, and LORENZO VILLARUZ JR.
The unique gathering, with its enviable fellowship and "what's new" sharing, elicited a day of great pride, promise and perspective..... a memorable milestone indeed!
(Outstanding Canadian Awards 2017 Committee-Ontario; Special Legal Counsel: PW Lawyers)
Contributors to the website are welcome to send photos (with captions) taken during the awards ceremonies on October 7, 2017 and the succeeding awards events to: [email protected].
CANADIANS HONOURING CANADIANS
