Filipino-Canadian leaders Noemi Victorino, Narima Dela Cruz join Surrey council race

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 06, 2026

Photo courtesy: Noemi Victorino/Narima Dela Cruz Facebook Page

Two Filipino-Canadian community leaders are seeking seats on Surrey City Council in the October 17 municipal election, representing different civic slates and bringing years of public and community service to the race.

Noemi Victorino has been announced as a council candidate under Mayor Brenda Locke’s Surrey Connect slate, while longtime community advocate Narima Dela Cruz is running with Imagine Surrey, led by mayoral candidate Mike Starchuk.

Their candidacies add two Filipino-Canadian voices to a crowded race for Surrey’s eight council seats.

Noemi Victorino: From federal service to community work

Victorino brings experience from both government and the nonprofit sector.

She previously worked in federal administration, project management and enforcement, including as a senior officer in trade compliance with the Canada Border Services Agency. She later moved into nonprofit leadership and is now founder and executive director of Harvest for Hope Society of BC.

The food-recovery organization collects surplus food and distributes it through community partners serving seniors, veterans, newcomers, families, and other people facing food insecurity. Recent reporting based on the organization’s figures said Harvest for Hope is recovering about 3,000 pounds of food weekly, the equivalent of roughly 2,500 meals.

Victorino also currently sits on Surrey’s Liveability, Social Equity and Public Safety Committee. City records show she was appointed to the committee for a two-year term ending December 31, 2026.

Surrey Connect has included Victorino in its council slate alongside incumbent and new candidates supporting Locke’s bid for another term as mayor.

Narima Dela Cruz: Nearly two decades of civic involvement

Narima is no stranger to Surrey politics.

She previously ran for Surrey City Council in 2014, earning 18,075 votes, according to official City of Surrey election results. She later ran again in 2018 and has remained active in community advocacy and civic engagement.

Dela Cruz is the founder and longtime leader of the Surrey Philippine Independence Day Society and has been involved in Filipino-Canadian advocacy, volunteerism and community-building for nearly two decades.

She also serves on Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Asian Studies Program Advisory Committee, where she is listed as a community leader, language interpreter, and translator.

Her community work has earned several recognitions, including a Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award, the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and recognition among the Top 25 Women of Influence+ in 2025.

Imagine Surrey announced Dela Cruz as part of its council slate in February, describing her as a longtime community leader from Surrey Centre.

Surrey votes October 17

Surrey voters will elect one mayor, eight councillors and six school trustees on October 17. Advance voting is scheduled for October 7, 10, 14 and 15.

The nomination period runs until September 11, meaning the official field of candidates may still change before the final list is confirmed.

For Surrey’s growing Filipino-Canadian community, the campaigns of Victorino and Dela Cruz place two familiar community figures in the race for a seat at City Hall, although under competing civic teams and with different political platforms.