Born and educated in the Philippines as a medical laboratory technician, Arturo Tapiador Viola, by 1967, had adopted Canada as his new homeland, rising to the ranks of Director of Laboratories for the Niagara-on-the-Lake General Hospital in Ontario before retiring in 1994. A tireless volunteer, Art is the only Lord Mayor in North America and the first Asian to be elected mayor of any Canadian municipality. Raising funds for such organizations as the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Red Cross, Art was honoured in 1992 with the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal. After receiving the Most Outstanding Alumnus Award from Centro Escolar University while visiting Manila in 1999, Lord Mayor Art Viola, in this view, presents University President, Dr. Lourdez T. Echauz, with a commemorative plaque on behalf of all the residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake. [Photo, courtesy Art Viola]

Dr. Anita Beltran Chen was born in the Philippines, receiving both her B.A. and M.A. degrees in Sociology at the University of the Philippines before completing her Ph.D. degree in Sociology at the University of Chicago, 1962. Founding Chairperson of Lakehead University’s Department of Sociology in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Dr. Chen has been a faculty member at this institution since 1964. Throughout her long academic career at Lakehead, she has gained respect nationally and internationally as a distinguished scholar. Her latest book, From Sunbelt to Snowbelt: Filipinos in Canada, was published in 1998 by the Research Centre for Canadian Ethnic Studies, University of Calgary. She was an invited contributor to Encyclopedia of Canada’s People published in 1999 by the University of Toronto Press. Dr. Chen’s work was recognized in 1998 when she received, as viewed here, the Pamanang Filipino Award from Philippine President Joseph Ejercito Estrada at a ceremony at Malacanang Palace in Manila. The citation of the awarded plaque sums up her contributions and achievements: “For her pioneering achievement within the academic community of Canada and her significant research undertaking which she has effectively used for the promotion of public awareness and understanding of the character of Filipino migration to Canada.” [Photo, courtesy Dr. Anita Beltran Chen]