By ReyFort Media
VANCOUVER – Six candidates of Filipino descent have emerged as winners in British Columbia’s October 17 municipal and school board elections, bringing pride to Filipino communities across the province.
The identified winners are Maita Santiago of Burnaby and Gregg Apolonio of Dawson Creek for city council, and Dr. Michelle Ceniza of Surrey, Stephen Andrada of Burnaby, Rod Belleza of Richmond and Lucas Steele of New Westminster for school board. Their victories span five cities, from Metro Vancouver to northeastern British Columbia.
Santiago secured another term on Burnaby City Council with 16,292 votes in the city’s preliminary count. Running with the Burnaby Citizens Association, she placed fourth among eight successful council candidates.
In Dawson Creek, Apolonio won re-election with 1,275 votes in the city’s updated preliminary tally. The city corrected its initial published totals after finding that some advance-voting figures had been omitted when results were added together.
Born and raised in Manila, Apolonio arrived in Dawson Creek in 2009 and became a Canadian citizen in 2016. His municipal biography identifies him as the city’s first councillor of Filipino and Asian descent, following his election in 2022. His community involvement includes service with the KALIPI Filipino–Canadian Association.
Four Filipino Canadians also secured school board seats.
In Surrey, family physician Dr. Michelle Ceniza, running with SURREY NOW, received 34,203 votes and won the sixth and final Surrey trustee position. Her campaign emphasized student mental health and cooperation among families, educators and healthcare professionals.
In Burnaby, Stephen Andrada received 19,624 votes, placing sixth among seven successful school trustee candidates. He ran with the Burnaby Citizens Association.
Richmond’s Rod Belleza secured re-election to the Board of Education with 17,762 votes, placing third among seven elected trustees.
In New Westminster, Lucas Steele won a school trustee seat with 10,807 votes. A New Westminster Progressives candidate born and raised in the city, Steele brings experience in recreation, coaching and youth mentorship. His stated priorities include school capacity, student mental health and stronger learning supports.
Together, the winners represent both returning public servants and newcomers to elected office. Their victories offer encouragement to Filipino Canadians considering a future in community leadership and public service.
Some municipalities continued to label their published results unofficial or preliminary as of October 20. Burnaby said its official declaration would be available by October 21 at 4 p.m.
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