Connect with us

Filipino-Canadian In Focus

Lucas Sugui: Young Filipino-Canadian Innovator Wins Regional Award

Published

on

(Supplied)

In an inspiring display of dedication, young Filipino-Canadian Lucas Sugui has won the prestigious Regional Award in the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Ingenious+ competition. His project, an environmental website named Paia, tracks and reports environmental cleanups across Metro Vancouver. From large-scale organizational efforts to individual actions, Paia provides a platform for environmental stewardship and awareness.

“I felt inspired to pursue this concept as it merged my love for the environment and sustainability with imparting information and awareness,” Lucas explains. “Thanks to Rideau Hall’s benevolence, they provided Paia with the resources needed to expand the project during the summer, when we will be accumulating the essential tools to host our own clean team to not only map clean-ups but also take matters into our own hands to keep a cleaner BC.”

(Supplied)

Born in the Philippines, Lucas spent his early years immersed in the cultural traditions of his homeland before immigrating to Canada. His family’s professional background and their sacrifice to start anew in Canada have profoundly influenced his journey.

“Both my parents are professionals in the Philippines. My mother is a nursing and business management graduate, while my father holds degrees in business management, nursing, and law. They have both emphasized the importance of education, which has inspired me to follow in their footsteps and prioritize my education,” he shares.

The path to success was not without challenges. A primary hurdle was developing the website and the organization’s identity. “I triumphed over this by gathering thoughts and perspectives from friends, family, and various experts,” he says. Lucas credits his best friend and co-founder Wynn Ho; Micayla Yeap for the logo design, Aidan Chan for his ideas and support, and Ms. North, Killarney Secondary School’s environment club sponsor, for their unwavering encouragement.

(Supplied)

(Supplied)

Despite his busy schedule, Lucas finds time to enjoy his hobbies. “During my leisure time, I love spending time with my family, watching and playing basketball, and reading books, especially fiction, history, and documentaries,” he says.

Lucas’s contributions extend beyond environmental activism. He was the former Deputy Prime Minister of the Killarney Student Government and currently the Co -President of Killarney News and the Vice President of Environment Club. He aims to be a role model for younger generations, encouraging them to embrace challenges and pursue their dreams. “I encourage young people to simply take a leap; my notion was a pipe dream, a mere vision of what could possibly be. I could have left it as a theory, but I took a leap of faith and founded an organization in the hopes of creating a long-term prospect for the public as well as empowering others to do the same,” he advises.

Reflecting on his roots, Lucas fondly recalls his time in the Philippines.

(Supplied)

“I can attest to the country’s beauty and rich cultural traditions, which include saying ‘po’ and ‘opo’ and applying ‘Mano’ to show respect for the elderly. I can declare from personal experience that the most valuable resource of the Philippines is its people; they are extraordinarily kind-hearted, welcoming, and compassionate,” he reminisces.

Lucas’s favorite Filipino food, Halo-Halo, is a metaphor for his life experiences. “The components of Halo-Halo – when mixed – show their actual essence and create an amalgamation of distinct tastes, representing the various facets of my life that shape who I am,” he says.

As Lucas looks to the future, he envisions himself contributing to both the Canadian and Filipino communities with his skills and talents. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the support of a close-knit community.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Lifestyle1 week ago

Nobody Wants This…IRL (In Real Life)

Just like everyone else who’s binged on Netflix series, “Nobody Wants This” — a romcom about a newly single rabbi...

Lifestyle2 weeks ago

Family Estrangement: Why It’s Okay

Family estrangement is the absence of a previously long-standing relationship between family members via emotional or physical distancing to the...

Lifestyle2 months ago

Becoming Your Best Version

By Matter Laurel-Zalko As a woman, I’m constantly evolving. I’m constantly changing towards my better version each year. Actually, I’m...

Lifestyle2 months ago

The True Power of Manifestation

I truly believe in the power of our imagination and that what we believe in our lives is an actual...

Maria in Vancouver3 months ago

DECORATE YOUR HOME 101

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Our home interiors are an insight into our brains and our hearts. It is our own collaboration...

Maria in Vancouver4 months ago

Guide to Planning a Wedding in 2 Months

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Are you recently engaged and find yourself in a bit of a pickle because you and your...

Maria in Vancouver4 months ago

Staying Cool and Stylish this Summer

By Matte Laurel-Zalko I couldn’t agree more when the great late Ella Fitzgerald sang “Summertime and the livin’ is easy.”...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

Ageing Gratefully and Joyfully

My 56th trip around the sun is just around the corner! Whew. Wow. Admittedly, I used to be afraid of...

Maria in Vancouver5 months ago

My Love Affair With Pearls

On March 18, 2023, my article, The Power of Pearls was published. In that article, I wrote about the history...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

7 Creative Ways to Propose!

Sometime in April 2022, my significant other gave me a heads up: he will be proposing to me on May...