This is a list of Filipino Canadians who have made significant contributions to Canadian culture, politics, or society. It also includes those with notable mentions in Canadian media.
Academia
Joselito (Lito) M. Arocena – soil scientist, Canada Research Chair in Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC Michael Batu - Associate Professor of Economics at the University of the Fraser Valley Glenda Bonifacio- Professor of Women's Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Lakehead University Herbert Gaisano – Professor and Researcher at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Medicine and Gastroenterologists Jessica Trisko-Darden – activist, former model, beauty queen and assistant professor of international development and conflict at American University's School of International Service Ann Makosinski – student inventor and public speaker Romulo F. Magsino Sr. – former Dean of Education at a major university in Canada Rogemar Mamon – mathematician, professor at the University of Western Ontario Ana Serrano-artist, Dean of the Ontario College of Art and Design University Eleanor Ty – professor in the department of English and film studies at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Arts and letters Dance
AC Bonifacio – dancer/female member of Lucky Aces Maribeth Manalaysay Tabanera aka Kilusan – artist, abolitionist educator and community organizer Alvin Erasga Tolentino – choreographer and dance artist
Graphic arts
Adrian Alphona – comic book artist Mike del Mundo – comic book artist Francis Manapul – comic book artist and writer Francisco Reyes – illustrator and comic strip artistFeaturing Great Achievers in Philippine Art (comics) , Kulafu, by Francisco Reyes. Leanne Shapton – artist, art director, illustrator, and publisher
Visual arts
Stephanie Comilang – artist and filmmaker Lani Maestro Sofronio Y. Mendoza, aka by his monogram SYM – painter Marigold Santos – inter-disciplinary artist Marigold Santos is reconnecting with her Filipinx roots — through tattooing CBC, March 7, 2019
Journalism Ruben Cusipag – founder of Toronto-based Balita newspaper. Melissa Grelo – co-host of CP24 Breakfast"CP24 opens a new front in breakfast TV wars". Toronto Star, March 27, 2009. and the moderator of The Social"Talk TV is getting a social makeover". The Globe and Mail, September 10, 2013. Hazel Mae – sportscaster and anchor Rogers Sportsnet Cherie Mercado – journalist, host and producer Filipino TV Rhea Santos – journalist, presenter OMNI News
Literature
Jennilee Austria-Bonifacio – author Albert Casuga – writer Petronila Cleto – writer and activist Edmundo Farolan – writer C. E. Gatchalian – playwright, poetC. E. Gatchalian at the Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. Catherine Hernandez – novelist, children's book writer, playwright"Scarberia redacted: Catherine Hernandez's novel brings a spotlight to a Toronto neighbourhood often left in the wings". National Post, May 12, 2017. Marc Perez – poet Jhet van Ruyven – writer Alexis Tioseco – film critic Jia Tolentino – writer and editor J. Torres – comic book writer
Theater
Rogelio Balagtas – actor Esteban Comilang – actor Ma-Anne Dionisio – actress
Business
Victor Cui – CEO and owner of the MMA promotion ONE FC Dominic Penaloza – CEO & founder of Ushi and WorldFriends
Fashion and pageantry Pageants
Karla Henry – Miss Earth 2008 Bea Santiago – Miss International 2013 Riza Santos – Miss Earth Canada 2006, Miss World Canada 2011 and Miss Universe Canada 2013 Tisha Silang – former Bb. Pilipinas-Universe; beauty queen; TV host; entrepreneur Jessica Trisko – Miss Earth 2007, academic, activist, beauty queen, and former model
Labour
Juliet Cuenco – rights activist, public servant Columbia 'Coco' Diaz – program manager for Intercede, an Ontario advocacy group for domestic workers Don Garcia – ILWU Canada president Virginia Guiang-Santoro – founder of Filipino Domestic Workers Association of Manitoba Ging Hernandez – advocate for domestic care workers and women's rights activist Juana Tejada – caregiver who campaigned for overseas Filipino workers' (OFW) and immigrants' rights in Canada Pura Velasco – advocate for caregivers Fely Villasin – advocate for domestic workers, caregivers and new immigrants, founder/artistic director of Carlos Bulosan Theatre
Health Science
Eileen de Villa – Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto Gigi Osler – president of the Canadian Medical Association
Politics
Cris Aglugub – Manitoba former NDP MLA, the Maples (1999–2007), former Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Labour and Immigration, and subsequently to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade. Carl Benito – former MLA for Edmonton-Mill Woods (2008–2012) Lisa Bower – Councillor for Town of Ajax, Ontario (2018–present). Yvonne Clarke – first Filipina MLA (Portercreek 2021–present) in the Yukon Legislative Assembly Jelynn Dela Cruz – Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly for Radisson Narima dela Cruz – community organizer Mable Elmore – first Filipina-Canadian MLA in BC (NDP) (2009–present), current Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long-Term Care (2020–present), former Parliamentary Secretary for Poverty Reduction of British Columbia (2017–2020), former Spokesperson for Temporary Foreign Workers and Immigration and former the Deputy Spokesperson for Finance Tobias C. Enverga – first Filipino-Canadian Senator (Conservative); first Filipino-Canadian elected to the City of Toronto in 2010 (to the Toronto Catholic District School Board as trustee) Taciana Jew – first Filipino citizenship judge in Ontario Flor Marcelino – first Filipino woman and racialized woman elected MLA in Manitoba (2007–2019), former Leader of the Opposition (2016–2017), Minister of Multiculturalism and Literacy (2013–2016), and Minister of Culture, Heritage, and Tourism (2009–2013) Malaya Marcelino – MLA in Manitoba- Notre Dame (2019) Ted Marcelino – former MLA in Manitoba, first MLA for the electoral district of Tyndall Park (2011–2019) Rey Pagtakhan – first Filipino-Canadian Member of Parliament (1988–2004), first Filipino-Canadian Cabinet Minister (2001–2004), former Minister of Western Economic Diversification(2003–2004),Minister of Veterans Affairs (2002–2003), Senior Minister for Manitoba (2002–2004),Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development) (2002–2003), and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) (2001–2002). Jon Reyes – Conservative MLA (St. Norbert 2016–2019, Waverley 2019–present) and Minister of Economic Development and Jobs in Manitoba (2020–present), former special envoy for military affairs Conrad Santos – first Filipino Canadian elected in Canada (elected as MLA in Manitoba (1981–1988, 1990–2007), and first Filipino Canadian to run for the leadership of a political party (Manitoba NDP, 1989) Rowena Santos – first Filipino councillor in City of Brampton, Vice Chair of Audit and Risk, and Chair of Community Services (2018–present) Rechie Valdez – first Filipina woman elected MP, current MP for Mississauga-Streetsville, first Filipina-Canadian Cabinet Minister Tany Yao – Conservative MLA in Alberta in the riding of Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo (2015)
Sports
Sean Anthony – professional basketball player for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters Eve Badana – football goalkeeper Matthew Baldisimo – midfielder for Pacific FC Michael Baldisimo – soccer player for Vancouver Whitecaps FC Jonathan de Guzmán – midfielder for Feyenoord Rotterdam Julian de Guzman – soccer coach and former professional player Edrian Paul Celestino – figure skater David Choinière – soccer player Mathieu Choinière – soccer player Kadin Chung – soccer player for Pacific FC Camille Clarin – basketball player for the Philippines women's national basketball team Aidan Daniels – midfielder for Colorado Springs Switchbacks Crispin Duenas – Olympic archer Mathew Dumba – professional hockey player (NHL) Leylah Annie Fernandez – tennis player Bianca Fernandez – tennis player Rey Fortaleza – Olympic boxer James Forrester – professional basketball player Gilmore Junio – Winter Olympics long track speed skater A. J. Mandani – former PBA & ABL basketball player Patrick Metcalfe – soccer player for Vancouver Whitecaps FC Nick O'Donnell – soccer player for Philippines national football team in 2014 Alex Pagulayan – 2004 world pool champion Victoria Pickett – professional soccer player Kharis Ralph – former ice dancer Rebecca Rivera – professional volleyball player Kayla Sanchez – Olympic swimmer Jaclyn Sawicki – footballer for Philippines women's national football team Devin Shore – professional ice hockey player Jesse Shugg – international soccer player Kat Tolentino – professional volleyball player Ernestine Tiamzon – former professional volleyball player Norbert Torres – professional basketball player Matthew Wright – basketball player for Kyoto Hannaryz, former PBA player
Television and film Television
Susan Aceron – actress Chasty Ballesteros – actress Eric Bauza – voice actor, stand-up comedian and animation artist Carlos Bustamante (TV personality) – television host, actor and voice actor Nancy Castiglione – actress and singer; actress on Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga Chelsea Clark – actress Gordon Cormier – actor Lexa Doig – actress Patrick Guzman – actor Manny Jacinto – film and television actor Josette Jorge – actress Ron Josol – actor and stand-up comedian Amanda Joy – actress, screenwriter, comedian, satirist, and producer Mig Macario – actor Alex Mallari Jr. – actor Shay Mitchell – actress Keith Pedro – comedian Ann Pornel – comedian, host The Great Canadian Baking Show Ariel Rivera – singer-songwriter, multi-platinum recording artist, actor Kayla Rivera – actress Jeff Rustia – television host and VJ Gervacio Santos – film editor Michael Sager – actor Cassie Steele – actress Veena Sud – television writer, director, and producer Cheryl Torrenueva – designer Louriza Tronco – actress and singer Lisa Marcos actress Beverly Vergel – actress and film writer, director and producer Jessalyn Wanlim – actress and model
Reality show
Celeste Anderson – competitive gamer and reality television personality Mikey Bustos – Canadian Idol finalist; singer from Toronto Erika Casupanan – Survivor 41; first Canadian to win Darren Espanto – The Voice Kids Philippines season one runner-up, singer, recording artist Elise Estrada – singer; recording artist; Pinoy Pop Superstar finalist Elena Juatco – Canadian Idol finalist; roving reporter for season 4 of Canadian Idol John Alvarez – Chef, Chopped Canada chef contestant Kyne Santos – Drag performer; Canada's Drag Race Season 1 contestant Kimmy Couture – Drag performer; Canada's Drag Race Season 3 contestant Melinda Verga – Drag performer; Canada's Drag Race Season 4 contestant Kiki Coe – Drag performer; Canada's Drag Race Season 4 contestant
Film
Kim Albright – filmmaker Paul Denham Austerberry – production designer Rogelio Balagtas – actor Enrique Miguel Baniqued – producer Romeo Candido – filmmaker Tirso Cruz III – actor, comedian, and singer Seán Devlin – filmmaker and comedian Liam Diaz – actor Gelli de Belen - actress Martin Edralin – filmmaker Von Flores – actor Marco Grazzini – film and television actor Haji – actress Kathleen Jayme – filmmaker Mig Macario – actor; filmmaker Isiah Medina – filmmaker Marianne Métivier – filmmaker Serville Poblete – filmmaker Ellie Posadas – actress Gervacio Santos – film editor Ian Tuason - filmmaker
Internet
Sabrina Cruz – YouTube personality Elle Mills – YouTuber Domics – animator Kariza Santos - YouTuber, better known as Life of Riza
Disc jockeys
Mark Anthony – co-launched the web-based music label Dark Panties Recordings
Music
Joey Albert – recording artist Jeremie Albino – singer"Jeremie Albino : de la ferme à la scène". CJBC, October 30, 2019. Maria Aragon – singer Eleanor Calbes – soprano Elise Estrada – singer