Philippine Asian News Today Vol 20 no 19 | Page 19

dian candidates in
nicipal elections
college administrator, career and employment counsellor, and currently as an
entrepreneur, college instructor, and volunteer, she likes to share her positive outlook
in life with as many as she can. The challenges in her life made her a better, not
bitter, person. People would like her to do something for their concerns on public
transportation, drugs, homelessness, etc. Dr. Galanto joined the first cohort of the
Community Leaders Igniting Change program at Simon Fraser University which
encouraged her to do more for her community. She wants to do what is best for
Surrey by listening to people’s concerns and working on the issues that matter.
PORT COQUITLAM
Tommy Raguero (Councillor) - Independent
Born and raised in the city of Vancouver by his
Immigrant Filipino parents, Rustum and Lucilyn.
Growing up under their roof, along with his brother
Ryan, Tommy quickly learned that respect and
having great family values are a few of the keys
to being a great human being. It wasn’t until he
met his future wife, Reni, that another key was
to have the ability to give relentlessly without
expecting anything in return. In 2009, he and
Reni got married, in that same year they found out they were pregnant and moved to
Port Coquitlam. A city they are very proud to call home. Today, the only thing that has
changed is now there are two kids, Cairo and Callia, running around the house. This
alone has been motivation for Tommy to step up and try to make a difference in the
community in which his two kids will grow up in.
A natural born leader, who has a passion for sports, health and youth development.
Over the years, Tommy has volunteered his time to coach baseball and soccer, he also
has help raise money for the Special Olympics and other various organizations. It is
now time for him to step up his game. Tommy envisions bigger and better things for
our community. All generations play an important role, but Tommy feels a focus on
our youth is needed, to nurture this generation towards a strong and vibrant future.
Our community continues to grow and should be thriving when it comes to small
businesses, and celebrating our community’s diversity. Tommy feels we need a council
in place that is willing to fight to push the boundaries to create a community that is
safe and supports it’s youth, small businesses and our diversity.
RICHMOND
Rod Belleza (School Board Trustee) -
Richmond Community Coalition
Rod is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian
Bankers and has a BA (Political Science)
and LL.B degree from the Philippines
where he practiced law before immigrating
to Canada in 1980.
As a Trustee of the Richmond Board of
Education since 2008, he was appointed
as Chairman-Audit Committee, Vice Chair-
Education Committee and Personnel and Finance Committee, AEEA Representative,
BCPSEA Alternate Representative and Trustee Liaison to various schools. For over 25
years, Rod has dedicated his time to community service. He served in the Richmond
Intercultural Advisory Committee, Richmond Community Services Advisory Committee,
ERCA, AMSSA, Rotary, Jaycees, RMCS and Filipino-Canadian Associations.
The Philippine Asian News and the Filipino Canadian Business Directory awarded
Rod for his outstanding community service. Rod believes in enabling our children’s
individual potential by providing them quality education. His mission is to ensure that
the Richmond Board of Education has accountable and responsible governance.
DELTA
Joseph Muego (School Board Trustee) -
Independents Working for You
Joseph Muego is running for school board
trustee. He is a parent leader and volunteer.
Over the last decade, he has chaired or
attended hundreds of PAC, DPAC, Board
public and committee meetings. He has
a deep understanding of the system from
a parent’s perspective. He is the most
qualified to bring the parent voice to the
Board. Outside of my school work, he is
an architect. I am an
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