Narima Dela Cruz is confident she will make it this time. (Facebook)

Updated: 9 AM, September 7, 2018

Surrey, B.C.

Tireless community advocate makes second attempt

By Ted Alcuitas 

Longtime community advocate Narima dela Cruz is running for council for the City of Surrey under the Surrey First banner.

The team under the leadership of  Tom Gill as mayoralty candidate and eight councillors was launched today (September 5) at Surrey’s Holland Park. The civic election will be on October 20.

“I believe that Surrey residents are looking for individuals who have experience building community, and who have become engaged volunteer community leaders simply because they want to further improve this great city,” she posted in Facebook shortly after the launch.

Council candidate (right) raises the hand of mayoralty candidate Tom Gill (centre) with MLA Mable Elmore. (Facebook)

The mother of two had a number of enthusiastic Filipino supporters at the launch including NDP MLA Mable Elmore of Vancouver, Kensington, the first Filipino to be elected in British Columbia legislative assembly.

 

This is the second run for the founder of the 10-year old Surrey Philippine Independence Society (SPIDS). She run unsuccessfully in 2014, garnering 18,075 votes placing 15th out of 35 candidates.

Dela Cruz is a founding director of the Surrey Philippine Independence Day Society and has volunteered with S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and with Options Community Service Society. She has also served on the Johnston Heights PAC for eight years. 

Of her volunteer work, she said “it’s something that runs in my blood. Helping people makes me happy. It’s as simple as that. I’ve been there and I want to give back.”

Her eldest son Daryl, is the high-profile leader of the transportation advocacy group Skytrain for Surrey.

“It is important for me to give back to this community, which has given me so much, and has allowed me many opportunities as a long time community volunteer. I care deeply about this community, as evident in all the years I have been an engaged and active community advocate, and I would like to be part of creating solution to many of its challenges,” she posted on Facebook after the launch.

“Our team, Surrey First is a thoughtful reflection of our community, with incredible diversity of ideas, culture and experiences to work with people and get things done.”

#October20CivicElection #NarimaDelaCruzForCouncillor #TomGillForMayor #SurreyFirstForCityCouncil

A native of Quezon Province, Dela Cruz immigrated to Canada in 1998 with husband Joel and son Daryl.  First settling in Winnipeg, Manitoba they moved to B.C. after having another daughter Glisha.

 

The candidate flashes a victory sign surrounded y supporters at the team launch. (Facebook)

She first worked as an administrative assistant utilizing her  education and professional background in the Philippines where she worked  around tourism, education, office administration and law. 

She has been a Licensed Realtor in B.C. since 2006.

Dela Cruz was one of Canada’s top 25 immigrants in 2012. She was presented the Realtors Care Award from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver in 2011 for her volunteer activity.

Dela Cruz is the second Filipino candidate in the 2018 civic elections.

Jojo Quimpo is running under the Non-Partisan Association (NPA) for the City of Vancouver.

Another aspirant, RJ Aquino,  failed to get nominated by OneCity Vancouver.