By ReyFort OLY
For Antonio “Tony” Ortega, community service begins with bringing people together. As president of the Cebuano Society, he has worked to strengthen cultural ties among Filipino Canadians while building connections with people from other backgrounds. Now, as a candidate for Richmond City Council, he hopes to bring that same spirit of participation to civic leadership.
Ortega’s community work reflects a belief that people can celebrate their heritage while taking an active part in the wider city they call home. Through cultural gatherings and outreach, he has helped create opportunities for families, newcomers, youth and seniors to meet, share experiences and support one another. His work with the Cebuano Society has placed him at the centre of efforts to keep traditions alive across generations.
He has also been involved in the realization of the Santo Niño Shrine in Agassiz, British Columbia, a project with deep meaning for many Filipino Catholics. For Ortega, such initiatives offer more than a place to gather. They give people a sense of belonging and a way to pass their faith and culture on to the next generation.
Those experiences have shaped how he approaches public service. Organizing events and working with community groups require patience, cooperation and a willingness to listen. Ortega sees those qualities as just as important at City Hall, where decisions affect residents with different needs and points of view.
Richmond is home to families from many cultures, and Ortega believes that diversity is one of the city’s strengths. He wants residents to feel that they can take part in decisions about their neighbourhoods, whether they have lived in Richmond for decades or have recently made it their home. Listening to people, he says, is a necessary first step toward earning their trust.
As a council candidate, Ortega calls for transparent governance, inclusive decision making and thoughtful growth. He also speaks about economic opportunity and the everyday concerns of families. These are broad goals, but he connects them to a practical question: Are residents being heard when choices are made about the future of their city?
His years of community involvement have given him opportunities to hear from people of different ages and backgrounds. A conversation with a senior may reveal a different concern from one raised by a young family or a local organization. Ortega believes good leadership means making room for those voices and looking for common ground.
That approach has guided his work beyond any single event or organization. Cultural celebrations can introduce neighbours to one another. Outreach can help newcomers find their footing. Working together on a shared project can build relationships that last long after the gathering ends. Ortega hopes to carry those lessons into the council chamber.
For Filipino Canadians, his candidacy is also a reminder that community leadership can grow into a larger civic role. Ortega’s roots and service are an important part of his story, but his invitation extends to all Richmond residents. He asks them to take an interest in local issues, join the conversation and make their voices heard.
As Richmond voters consider who should represent them, Ortega offers a record of community involvement and a commitment to listening. His message is that a stronger city is built when neighbours participate, respect one another and work toward a future they can share.
Leave a comment