By Karen Tan
This award to 3 members of the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians (MFFC) does not come at a better time. As the majority of Canadians are feeling patriotic during these troubling times, we at MFFC could not be more proud of the award our founding members have received.
We congratulate Mogi Mogado, Marlene Mogado and Yolanda Ladines on receiving the King Charles Coronation Medal Award. To receive this award, one must have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada. Here are some details about the medal recipients.
Yolanda Ladines is a dedicated advocate for immigrant support and cultural preservation through the MFFC where she served as the longest serving chairperson for over 2 decades. Her work has helped countless newcomers integrate and succeed in Canada.
Ignacio “Mogi” Mogado is respected elder in the Filipino community, with strong advocacies for social justice and equality, and untiring in promoting unity and the well-being among all Canadians. He has volunteered hours to a variety of civic, charitable causes, organizations and events and is recognized with honors and citations from many significant and respectable groups, the “Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Community Award'' 2022. He is a renowned artist-sculptor, with many donated artworks, some in public display, with the most distinguished of them being the Jose Rizal Monument, now part of Markham's Public Art collection.
Marlene Mogado is as untiring as her husband, Mogi. Since arriving in 1973, Marlene has been engaged in community volunteerism in the GTA, serving the vulnerable members of our society, with emphasis on issues dealing with women, children and new immigrants. She was an Online Counsellor (and President) of the Sexual Assault Helpline and Outreach Services of York Region as well as for the York Region Abuse Program and the Distress Centre in Markham and other community organizations. She served 12 years as School Board Trustee at the York Catholic District School Board. Marlene has earned the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, York Region “In Celebration of Women” Achievement Award for Community Service as well as the 2004 YMCA Canada Peace Medal.
Again, congratulations to our medal recipients and we continue to honor them as founding members of our proud organization, as Canadians and as Filipinos!