B.C. politicians, journalist among 75 Filipino-Canadians named as faces of migration

2024 marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Canada, a relationship that has grown since its beginning in 1949. Now, according to 2021 Census Data, almost a million Filipinos call Canada home.

In July, to commemorate this milestone, the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines, alongside the Philippine Embassy in Canada, launched ’75 Faces,’ a project highlighting the stories of 75 Filipino-Canadians and Filipinos in Canada and their migration journeys.

The list includes Filipinos of diverse backgrounds and from all over the country, including Mable Elmore, a B.C. MLA and the only Filipino in the provincial legislature; Burnaby City Coun. Maita Santiago; and OMNI News Filipino journalist and host Rhea Santos.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to be part of this project, alongside 74 inspiring individuals who have made a mark and are continuously serving communities and giving back to Canada,” Santos said in an interview with The Leader Spirit Vancouver. “I was fortunate to have the opportunity to serve fellow Filipinos back home in the Philippines through my career in television.”

Santos was a broadcast journalist and host in the Philippines for two decades before moving to Canada as an international student in 2019.

She describes the move to Canada as a “leap of faith,” but she took it with her husband because they wanted bigger and better opportunities for their children.

In 2020, along with other Filipino journalists, she was part of the group that launched OMNI News Filipino, the only daily Canadian national newscast in Filipino.

“I really never expected to go back to television because coming here, I was told that I would have to start from the bottom, and I was willing to do that for family, just like any immigrant would do,” Santos said. “I want to thank OMNI Television for giving me a reason to wake up every day to do what I love because I always hope that through the work that I do, through the stories that I tell, I hope to inspire more people and hopefully create change, whether big or small.”

In a social media post, Santos thanked her “kababayans” (fellow Filipinos) who continue to entrust their stories to her. She says their trust inspires her to be better every day.

In a Facebook statement, the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines says the project celebrates Canada’s enduring friendship with the country.

For Santos, she hopes to see more Filipino-Canadian representation in different spaces, from media to politics.

“Canada’s strength is the differences of its people, and if Canada can tap and harness the strengths of Filipino achievers and professionals from the Philippines who are already here, who can contribute to industries that are in crisis, and who can create positive change,” she says. “It would be lovely to see not only Filipinos but immigrants’ credentials be recognized in Canada.”

Aside from the accolade of being part of the 75 Filipino-Canadians on the list, Santos’ portrait was painted by local Filipino artist Gio Sampayan and will be integrated into a mural at the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines.

“I hope that me being here would give hope and courage to others,” she says. “Change may be scary, but it can also be an exciting adventure.”