Executives

1. What inspired you to become involved with Centennialista Filipino Association?

The chance to contribute, organize events and create opportunities for people to learn about Filipino heritage and traditions.

2. How did Centennialista help you personally, professionally or socially?

Centennialista has helped me become more confident, stay connected to my Filipino roots, and meet amazing people. It has also helped me build leadership and teamwork skills while giving me a strong sense of community and belonging.

3. What was your most memorable experience with the community, and why was it meaningful to you?

My most memorable experience was Karaoke Idol. I loved that everyone was welcome to join, whether they could sing or not. It wasn't about being the best—it was about having fun, laughing together, and enjoying the moment. That's what made it so special to me.

4. What are you most proud of from your time with Centennialista?

I'm most proud of our team because they're the reason our events come together. Seeing everyone work hard, support each other, and make each event successful is something I'm really grateful to be part of.

1. What inspired you to become involved with Centennialista Filipino Association?

Starting my journey as an international student, I experienced firsthand the challenges of adapting to life in a new country. Fortunately, I was introduced to Centennialista, an organization that helped me build meaningful friendships and genuine connections with fellow Filipinos who were passionate about supporting the growing Filipino community at Centennial College and across Canada.

Inspired by the kindness and support I received, I decided to join the CFA family to give back by serving and assisting fellow Filipinos as they navigate their own journeys. At the same time, I wanted to celebrate and share the richness of our Filipino culture and the vibrant spirit of our community with people from diverse backgrounds.

2. How did Centennialista help you personally, professionally or socially?

Centennialista has made a profound impact on my life in more ways than one. Through the organization, I have met incredible people who have become a source of guidance, encouragement, and joy throughout my journey in Canada. Beyond the friendships I built, volunteering within the community helped me discover more about myself and develop valuable skills, confidence, and talents that continue to shape me today. I am deeply grateful for the lessons, experiences, and memories I gained during my time as an active student member.

3. What was your most memorable experience with the community, and why was it meaningful to you?

One of my most memorable experiences with the community was having the opportunity to meet the Philippine Consul General and the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). It was my first time attending a high-profile engagement, making the experience both exciting and inspiring. Being recognized by the Philippine Consulate as a member of our association filled me with immense pride and reinforced the importance of our organization's efforts in representing and supporting the Filipino community.

4. What are you most proud of from your time with Centennialista?

Everything about Centennialista fills me with pride and joy as a Filipino. It is truly an exceptional organization that embodies the spirit of "bayanihan" and the strong sense of "kababayan" that defines the Filipino community. Through its unwavering commitment to supporting students and celebrating our culture, Centennialista has created a welcoming environment where every Filipino feels a sense of belonging, connection, and home away from home.

1. What inspired you to become involved with Centennialista Filipino Association?

"Moving to Canada was a life changing move for me. I had never been so far away from home, having to start over with just me and my fiancé, without any family or friends. Discovering the Centennialista Filipino Association gave me a sense of comfort and belonging during that transition.

Being part of a community of students who shared similar experiences meant a lot to me. I’ve always been a sociable person who enjoys connecting with others, and joining the association allowed me to do that while also giving back through leadership. Knowing how much the association has helped me and many others, inspired me to offer the same sense of community to others."

2. How did Centennialista help you personally, professionally or socially?

"Centennialista has impacted me personally, socially, and professionally in meaningful ways.

Personally, it gave me a sense of home during a time when I was far from it. Being part of a community of Filipinos from different backgrounds helped me grow and learn from others in ways I wouldn’t have experienced back home.

Socially, it allowed me to build genuine connections and friendships that I truly value and will carry with me long-term.

Professionally, it helped me grow as a leader and build confidence in my abilities. I developed strong soft skills like communication and teamwork, which I continue to use in my career today."

3. What was your most memorable experience with the community, and why was it meaningful to you?

"One of my most memorable experiences was participating in the campus tours. It gave me the opportunity to connect with students across all campuses.

What made it meaningful was being able to introduce our association and what Centennialista stands for. We shared our culture with others, including our games and our snacks, built connections with our Kababayans, and always represented a piece of home."

4. What are you most proud of from your time with Centennialista?

I’m proud of all the events and gatherings Centennialista has created for the community. Although, my personal favorites are Karaoke Idol 2024 and Filipino Game Night. Both events I hosted and I just had a really great time. Moments like those remind me why Centennialista is so special, and I’m grateful to have been part of it.

1. What inspired you to become involved with Centennialista Filipino Association?

I was inspired to join the Centennialista Filipino Association because I wanted to stay connected to my Filipino roots while studying abroad. Being away from home, I saw the organization as a way to build a sense of community, support fellow students, and make a positive impact through cultural and student-focused initiatives. It also gave me the opportunity to grow personally and professionally by taking on leadership and administrative responsibilities.

2. How did Centennialista help you personally, professionally or socially?

Centennialista helped me grow in many ways. Personally, it gave me a sense of belonging while studying away from home and allowed me to build lasting friendships with fellow Filipino students. Professionally, serving as an Executive Administrative Officer strengthened my organizational, communication, and time management skills, as I was responsible for coordinating documents, supporting events, and working closely with the executive team. Socially, it expanded my network and introduced me to people from different backgrounds who shared the same goal of supporting the student community.

3. What was your most memorable experience with the community, and why was it meaningful to you?

My most memorable experience was helping organize and support community events that brought Filipino students together. Seeing everyone enjoy the activities, celebrate our culture, and create lasting friendships made all the hard work worthwhile. It was meaningful because it showed how a supportive community can make students feel at home, especially those who were adjusting to life in a new country.

4. What are you most proud of from your time with Centennialista?

I'm most proud of being part of a team that made a meaningful impact on the Filipino student community. As an Executive Administrative Officer, I supported the organization by keeping things organized, assisting with event planning, and helping ensure our activities ran smoothly. One of our biggest achievements was winning CCSAI's Club of the Year for 2022–2023, which was a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and teamwork of everyone involved. Being part of an organization that received such recognition made me incredibly proud, knowing that my contributions helped create a positive and welcoming community for our members.

1. What inspired you to become involved with Centennialista Filipino Association?

As an international student, one of the problems I encountered was staying informed, especially as a newcomer, like Job hunting or government benefits. To be aware of this information, having connections or a network is the easiest way. I always want to be involved in community service or volunteering, which is also what I did before in the Philippines - being involved to help and to share knowledge and experiences.

2. How did Centennialista help you personally, professionally or socially?

Centennialista helped me to boost more my confidence. I also built connections not only with this club but also with other clubs. I’m always updated on the events and other students' benefits, which I always shared not only with members, classmates or students we met at our club events. It helped me to strengthen my leadership and teamwork skills and be creative.

3. What was your most memorable experience with the community, and why was it meaningful to you?

My most memorable experience with the community was Asian Heritage 2025. We showcased some of our games, like yo-yo and sipa. It was fun because most of the students tried playing sipa and yo-yo, and I also showed them how to do it better with some tricks. It was meaningful because I overcame being shy, which I facilitated, and also played games like Pinoy Henyo and taught them how to play yo-yo and sipa.

4. What are you most proud of from your time with Centennialista?

My most proud time from Centennialista was being a Progress Campus Representative. I’m not only representing our club but also representing our country by telling what culture we have, not only through activities, foods and games, but also of who we are by proving our being hospitable, fun and friendly. Mabuhay!

1. What inspired you to become involved with Centennialista Filipino Association?

I joined the Centennialista Filipino Association because I wanted to build a sense of community while pursuing my studies. As an international student, I believed that serving and supporting others who were also new to Canada and campus would help us feel more connected, adapt more easily, and create meaningful friendships. It also provided valuable networking opportunities and connections that could support us throughout our journey.

2. How did Centennialista help you personally, professionally or socially?

Centennialista helped me personally by giving me a strong sense of belonging as I adjusted to life in Canada. It became a community where I could ask practical questions about finding affordable housing near campus, extending my study permit, applying for my PGWP, and navigating student life. Through activities like picnics, dinners, and Filipino festivities, I built lasting friendships and connections. It also connected me with students and alumni in my program, giving me valuable insights into how career applications and the Canadian job market work. Professionally, it strengthened my leadership, teamwork, and communication skills through serving and organizing events.

3. What was your most memorable experience with the community, and why was it meaningful to you?

My most memorable experience with the community was attending one of the picnics organized by the Centennialista Filipino Association. As someone who was new to Canada, I wanted to experience the culture of the organization and meet fellow students, and it truly did not disappoint. Everyone was welcoming, accommodating, and genuinely willing to help. Many shared their own journeys of adapting to life in Canada, which inspired those of us who were just starting our own. What made it even more meaningful was how naturally Filipinos connect over food. Sharing meals, stories, laughter, and advice created a sense of family and belonging that made me feel at home despite being thousands of miles away.

4. What are you most proud of from your time with Centennialista?

I am most proud of having the opportunity to organize activities and events that brought students together. Whether it was planning games, singing contests, or other fun activities, our goal was always to create an inclusive environment that welcomed everyone at Centennial College—not just Filipino students. Seeing people from different backgrounds connect, have fun, and build friendships through the events we organized was incredibly rewarding and something I will always be proud of.