Volume 20 • No. 22 • November 16-30, 2024 Publication Mailing Account #41721512
Heart Evangelista
World Gold Medallists
Winnipeg martial artists among top athletes at World Karate Championships
7
The Winnipeg Sikaran Arnis Academy (WSAA) sent 11 athletes to the 2024 World Karate Championships in Albufeira, Portugal, which wrapped up on November 1. They all brought home medals, ranking them among the top four Best Fighters in the World. The WSAA won five gold, five silver, and seven bronze
medals, and earned six fourth place rankings in tournament. Lee Angela Igne of WSAA finished as the Second Top Athlete of the tournament with her performance of Filipino Arnis Creative Weapon Forms. The WSAA team of Lee Angela Igne, Lourdes Lynn Igne, Red Jr Igne, and Jayzelle Policarpio
became the first-ever World Gold Medallists for the newly introduced category called Open Team Kata. “This most recent achievement of the Winnipeg Sikaran Arnis Academy again truly made a mark. They represented our community, our city in its 150, and our country Canada,” said Kelly Legaspi, See WSAA p6
Honouring a pillar of Philanthropy in Manitoba’s Filipino community Dear Heart concert - Nov. 21. See p6 for details
For the first time in its 26year history, the Manitoba Philanthropy Awards recognized a Filipino-Chinese Canadian for his outstanding contributions to the community. Paul Ong, an educator and well-known Filipino performer, was honoured with the 2024 Manitoba Philanthropy Award in the category of Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser. The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Manitoba Chapter describes the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award as recognizing an individual or family residing in Manitoba who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in coordinating volunteers and donors for major fundraising efforts across multiple not-forprofit organizations. Importantly, these efforts are entirely voluntary, without any remuneration. Since 2014, Paul Ong has been the driving force behind the annual Concert for a Cause, raising thousands of dollars for local Manitoba charities. His commitment to philanthropy and community See PAUL p5
Paul Ong