Opinions
Filipino-Canadians among recipients of
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
At the Manitoba Legislature on December 12, 2022, some of the recipients nominated by MLA Mintu Sandhu for their dedication to public service and community leadership. L-r: Nickholas Chubenko, Rodge Lopez, Ernesto Ofiaza Jr., Dr. Porfiria Pedrina, Mary Kuchenski, MLA for The Maples Mintu Sandhu, Navjeet Kambo, Leila Castro, and Pilipino Express editor-in-chief Emmie Joaquin.
This year, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated the 70th anniversary of her succession to the throne which began on February 6, 1952. Sadly, Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96.
As a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the federal government of Canada has traditionally issued the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medals to thousands of deserving Canadians from across the country, including the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals.
However, Ottawa decided not to proceed with the Jubilee Medals this year. So Provincial Protocol Officers from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick agreed to proceed with the Provincial Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medals.
In Manitoba, the medal is a way for the province to honour Her Majesty for her service to Canada.
According to Brad Robertson, Provincial Protocol Officer for Manitoba, the design of the medal was sent to Buckingham Palace earlier and was approved by Her Majesty herself.
The medal displays an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on one side and the Manitoba Coat of Arms and floral emblem (crocus) on the other.
A total of 1,000 medals will be awarded at ceremonies held throughout the province during the Platinum Jubilee Year.
At an evening ceremony at the Legislature on December 12th, 50 Manitobans were invited for an awarding ceremony. Each of them was nominated by their respective Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for their dedication to public service and community leadership.
Among the medal recipients were nine Filipino Canadians namely: Emmie Joaquin, Rodrigo Lopez, Leila Castro, Ernesto Ofiaza, Jr., Porfiria Pedrina, Gary Alejo, Ernesto Garcia, Genalyn Tan and Lucille Nolasco-Garrido.
Other awardees from previous ceremonies were Joanne Viviezca, Wilma Gaburno, Ronaldo Opina, Randy Viray and Perla Javate.
In her welcome remarks, Manitoba Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville praised the awardees for “bringing the spirit of public service to life. Each of you leads by example. Each of you takes responsibility in making your community, your province, and your country, better.”
She also thanked everyone for “giving us a thousand more reasons to love this province and its people.”
Neville was assisted by Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson during the awarding ceremony as well as the nominating MLAs: Cathy Cox (Kildonan-River East), Shannon Martin (McPhillips), Diljeet Brar (Burrows), Mintu Sandhu (The Maples) and Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall).
Upon the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her eldest son, King Charles III succeeded to the throne.
Emmie Joaquin receives the medal and certificate from Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville, assisted by Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson and MLA for The Maples Mintu Sandhu
L-r: Joanne Viviezca, Emmie Joaquin, Lucille Nolasco-Garrido, Rodge Lopez
