Congratulations to Alfonso Ralph Mendoza Manalo, the recipient of the Golden Balangay Award for Educational Excellence (Post-Secondary). Alfonso is currently a fourth-year Public Policy Co-op student, who was awarded for his involvement in the collection of race-based data, and his work in creating modules regarding anti-Asian discrimination and religious discrimination in the curricula in the RCMP's Anti-Racism course. Alfonso's anti-Asian racism research has been circulated across universities and NGO's in Canada!
The Golden Balangay Awards is a nationwide competition that aims to recognize the outstanding work of Filipino Canadians. The award for Educational Excellence (Post-Secondary) is given to a post-secondary student who has showcased exceptional academic achievement, extra-curricular involvement and a significant contribution to the Filipino Canadian community and Canada. Alfonso aspires to spread awareness about Anti-Asian hate and discrimination, along with advocating for racial minorities in his community.
"I just wanted to say thank you to all of you folks who have helped me in my co-op journey at the RCMP, from taking extra time to teach me how to participate in interviews, meet with me outside of office hours to discuss my co-op paper, provide me resources with how to navigate workplace discrimination, and for teaching me to write my resumes and cover letters."
"I am proud to announce that my co-op journey has allowed me to pursue high-profile government files particularly those related to the formulation of the RCMP's Anti-Racism course and the national collection of race-based data. This has allowed me to really advocate for racial minorities in a crucial time in the RCMP's history following the death of George Flloyd, the discovery of the remains of Indigenous school children, and the rise of Anti-Asian Hate."
Watch Alfonso at the Golden Balangay Virtual Awards Ceremony here! (Please see thumbnail 1:38:30)