By Carlito Pablo
May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada.
For 2026, the theme for Asian Heritage Month is “Honouring Asian Canadians: Stories that Built Canada”.
“This theme recognizes the essential contributions Asian Canadians have made to Canada’s social, cultural, and economic life across generations,” states the Canadian government’s official online site for this year’s celebration.
As part of the celebration, the government has cited several “noteworthy Canadians of Asian heritage”.
The list includes several Filipinos, including Manny Jacinto, a Philippine-born and Richmond, B.C.-raised actor.
Here’s what the government’s site says about Jacinto:
“Manny Jacinto is a Canadian actor of Filipino Heritage who has been active in the entertainment industry since 2012. Following several minor television roles, he made his big breakthrough playing Jason Mendoza in the NBC sitcom The Good Place.
“Jacinto was born in Manila, Philippines on August 19, 1987. His family emigrated to Canada when he was about three years old. He was raised in Richmond, British Columbia and attended the University of British Columbia where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
“He began his professional career as a dancer before turning to acting. However, it wasn’t long until he started starring in well-known TV series like, Supernatural, Once Upon a Time and iZombie. In 2015, he landed the role of Wing Lei in The Romeo Section where he was nominated for the “Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series”.
Below are the other notable Canadians of Filipino heritage cited by the government, with abridged biographies:
Justice Steve A. Coroza
“Justice Steve A. Coroza was appointed to the Ontario Court of Appeal in April 2020. His position is the highest attained by a Canadian of Filipino Heritage in the Canadian judiciary system so far.
“In 1995, he received his LL.B. from the University of Windsor Law School. Two years later, he was called to the Bar in Ontario and in 2003, Justice Coroza received his LL.M. from University of Windsor, Osgoode Hall Law School.”
Catherine Hernandez
“Catherine Hernandez is an award-winning author and screenwriter of Filipino, Spanish, Chinese, and Indian descent, married into the Navajo Nation. She identifies as queer and has made significant contributions to literature and film.
“Her debut novel, Scarborough, won the Jim Wong-Chu Award for the unpublished manuscript and was shortlisted for several awards, including the Toronto Book Awards and Canada Reads 2022. Hernandez adapted Scarborough into a film, which won multiple Canadian Screen Awards.”
Gilmore Junio
“Gilmore Junio was born in 1990 in Calgary, Alberta; he is a Canadian of Filipino heritage. He is a long-track speed skater and a World Cup gold medalist. He began short-track speed skating at the age of 13, thanks to his father’s encouragement. Junio found international recognition for his incredible display of sportsmanship at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, when he gave his spot in the 1000m race to Denny Morrison, who had not qualified for the event after falling during the Canadian qualifiers. As a result of his kindness, Junio was given a commemorative crowd-funded award.”
Hazel Mae
“Hazel Mae was born on April 7, 1990, in Tagbilaran City, Philippines; she is a Canadian of Filipino heritage. She is well-known as a sportscaster on a number of different sports networks.
“She began her career in 2001 on Rogers Sportsnet, where she hosted various shows, including Sportsnetnews and JZone. Later on, she became the lead anchor for the New England Sports Network’s SportsDesk, The Ultimate Red Sox Show, and The Buzz, from 2004 to 2008. In August 2009, she was a reporter on the Major Baseball League Network, appearing on the shows Hot Stove, MLB Tonight, 30 Clubs in 30 Days, and Quick Pitch. In 2011, she became the host for a new program, The Rundown, alongside Matt Yaloff. Since September 2011, Mae has been back as a reporter with Sportsnet.”
Senator Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler
“Senator Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler is an eminent surgeon. Born in Winnipeg to immigrant parents from the Philippines and India, she is celebrated for her work in diversity, equity, inclusion, health and health care advocacy.
“Appointed to the Senate of Canada in September 2022, Senator Osler is the first woman of Filipino heritage to sit in the Senate. She is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Professional Achievement Award from the University of Manitoba (2020) and the May Cohen Equity, Diversity and Gender Award from the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (2021).”
Retired MP Rey Pagtakhan
“Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, born in Manila, Philippines in 1935, achieved historical significance as the first Canadian of Filipino origin to serve in Parliament and Cabinet. He held several Cabinet positions under Prime Ministers Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin, leaving an indelible mark on Canadian politics. Before embarking on his political career, Dr. Pagtakhan – a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians and widely lectured and published in medical journals and book chapters – distinguished himself as a physician and professor, specializing in pediatric chest diseases.
“His legacy continues to resonate through his insightful column, Medisina at Politika, in Pilipino Express and Canadian Filipino Net news magazines, enriching public discourse and inspiring generations to come.”
Conrad Santos (1934–2016)
“Conrad Santos was a Canadian politician born in the Philippines on November 26, 1934. On November 17, 1981, Conrad Santos became the first Canadian of Filipino heritage to be elected to office in Canada. At the time, he represented the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the Manitoba Assembly. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly in 1981–1988 and 1990–2007. Santos was born in the Philippines, and was educated at Harvard University and the University of Michigan, obtaining a Ph.D. in Political Science.”
Joseph Torres
“Joseph Torres, better known as J. Torres, is an award-winning Canadian author of Filipino Heritage who has written graphic novels and other comics for young readers. He was raised in Montreal and graduated from McGill University before moving to Toronto, Ontario.
“Torres is best known for writing the fan-favourite DC Comics’ original Teen Titans Go! series. Following his success with Teen Titans Go! he began to carve out a niche for himself as a popular writer of kids comics. His noteworthy works include his contribution to a handful of Johnny DC titles including Cartoon Network Block Party, Batman Strikes and Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st century.”
ReyFort Media 
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