Updated: July 3, 2023, 9:05 A.M.
No graduate journeys alone. Along the way, he or she is helped by parents, a brother or sister, a friend or anybody who is there to lend a hand. To give comfort when its needed or just listen. This month, we celebrate our graduates and honour their achievements whatever or however it is. We hope that this will encourage our kababayans to value education. If we don’t value education, then Filipinos will remain “hewers of wood and gatherers of water”, to quote a biblical phrase. We know that Canada is scrambling to recruit nurses from the Philippines to fill up the shortage. Decades ago, it was garment workers in Manitoba who were recruited, and then came the domestic workers. So, we will always be looked at as low-skilled workers to provide the labour : to ‘rock the cradle’ but not able to ‘rule the world”.
This annual feature is our contribution to that effort.
Join us in congratulating this year’s crop of graduates and achievers.
Rachel Ann Clarke
Lethbridge University, Dhillion School of Business
Lethbridge, Alberta
Second degree in Bachelor of Management with distinction. Her first degree was in B.S. in Human Resource an Labour Relations, with distinction at the same school. An executive assistant at the university, Rachel Anne is the daughter of Yvonne Clarke, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Whitehorse, Yukon.
Kindergarten, Fr. Henri Voisin School,
Red Deer, Alberta
Six-year old Kyle is the son of Christian and Kathleen Rodriguez and nephew of Philippine Canadian News.Com staff writer, Charmaine Y. Rodriguez.
Micah Santos
Kindergarten
Micah is the son of Babatte Santos, Artistic Director of the Vancouver-based Kathara Pilipino Indigenous Arts Collective Society.
Zaiden Grayda-Reyes
Grade 12
Garibaldi Secondary School,
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Extra-Curricular: Volleyball , Badminton; Green Group (Social Media),Leadership (Student Executive); Good Guys (Club Ambassador); British Columbia and Manitoba Honour Wind Ensemble. Awards/Certifications: – DELF Certification Level B1 & B2 awarded by the French Ministry of Education – IB Certificate for French, English Literature, and Music – IB French 12 Award – District Authority Award for Fine Arts and Five Year Academic Cup Award.
Liam Weeks
Charles Best Secondary, Coquitlam, B.C.
18-year old Liam is the son of Theresa Castro Weeks, daughter of Ceasar and Elisa Castro of Port Moody, B.C.
Liam graduated in French Immersion, Honour Roll and an entrance scholarship to the Univ. of Victoria. According to grandpa Ceasar, he has decided to go to Queen’s University to take up Computer Science. Liam played rugby and was school captain.
Destiny Nacario
Most Valuable Player (MVP)
M.E. Mountain Secondary School,
Langley, B.C.
Destiny is the middle daugter of Rochelle and Rem Nacario. Here is what her mom shared on FB: ” Last season was definitely the toughest year in Sports for Destiny. It started with a major injury and ended with another one. Nevertheless she continued to persevere and take each battle one at a time with grace and so much resilience. We couldn’t be anymore grateful for all the support she’s received from everyone who cares for her. Ending this school year with an MVP award was extra special. She will find the courage to come back. “
Teodoro Alcuitas
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C.
Certificate in Community Capacity Building (CCB5)