VANCOUVER
UBC library honors generosity of Filipino couple Marissa and Antonio Peña
The faculty and staff of the University of British Columbia (UBC) as well as invited guests from the Filipino-Canadian community gathered at the UBC Irving K. Barber Learning Center recently to witness the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and plaque unveiling of the Antonio and Marissa Peña Learning and Events Room.
‘A library is an intentional space, which requires leadership and generous support from donors.’
The Peña Room, previously called Lillooet room, was renovated thanks to the Peña Family Foundation’s generous donation to the UBC Library. The foundation, headed by Tony and Marissa, aims to advance education by providing publicly available scholarships, bursaries, and other forms of financial assistance to deserving students.
Philippine Consulate General Maria Andrelita Austria attended the event to personally congratulate the Filipino benefactors, who arrived in Canada from the Philippines in 1978.
UBC’s university librarian Dr. Susan Parker shared that the generous gift from Tony and Marissa will enable them to expand programs and engage learning opportunities. Meanwhile, Dr. Ainsley Carrey, vice-president, stressed the importance of the UBC library to the community. He added that a “library is an intentional space, which requires leadership and generous support from donors.”
The Peña Room is located at the Irving K. Barber Learning Center (IKBLC) on UBC’s Vancouver Point Grey Campus. More than a study space, the room will host workshops and other unique learning opportunities open to all students. www.vancouverpcg.org
Photos Vancouver PCG
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BARCELONA
Filipino business opens doors, overcomes post-pandemic woes
Ferdie Angeles and his spouse Raquel Angeles, both long-term residents of Barcelona, started in the service/hospitality industry as employees. Their perseverance and resilience paid off as they are now entrepreneurs opening their second business in Barcelona.
‘I am proud to be Filipino and using Maharlika is not only patriotic but will also motivate me to represent my beloved country with pride and honor.’
Maharlika Nails & Beauty, a state-of-the-art esthetic salon opened recently. Close friends and family were at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with cultural officer Bernardo Bagalay representing Philippine Consul General to Barcelona Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro to show the support of the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona to the Angeles family.
Venturing into a different sphere, from their initial business venture as a printing press enterprise, is a testament to the Angeles family’s resourcefulness and determination to succeed in Barcelona. Filipino solidarity was evident as passersby congratulated and wished Ferdie and Raquel well in their new venture.
Jocelyn Ave, manager at Maharlika, vowed to employ the skills and knowledge she has acquired in her many years of experience in the beauty salon industry to help the business maintain its high standard of professionalism and excellence. “We have strived hard and used our hard-earned savings to start our business to uplift our economic status to provide for a good life for our family,” intimated Raquel. When asked why he chose Maharlika as the name of his business, Ferdie said, ¨I am proud to be Filipino and using Maharlika is not only patriotic but will also motivate me to represent my beloved country with pride and honor in Barcelona.”
Photos Barcelona PCG