“I feel like it is a personal responsibility to keep in touch with my heritage,” says Filipino-Scottish, Canadian-born, and French exchange student Alexa Marie Grant. More than her multicultural background is that invaluable opportunity to become an ambassador for social justice.
You may know her as Miss Supranational Canada or from her stint in Miss Teen Philippines Canada where she emerged as a winner. Alexa is no stranger to beauty pageants. She is tried and tested as she adapts to the growing platform pageants provide to empower a generation of changemakers.
An empowered Filipina
Alexa Marie Grant is an International Business Administration student from York University’s Schulich School of Business, one of the world’s best business schools. While Canada did not have pageant facilities like those present in the Philippines, Alexa maximized York’s student center as a training facility. “I fondly remember using the windows of the university to check my walk,” she happily shared.
While other queens were busy training for the Miss Supranational Pageant, Alexa was multi-tasking with her exchange program in France and her pageant training. “I had to learn how to train virtually while traveling,” she reflected. The beauty queen attributes the exchange program in France as a stepping stone for her pageant activities. “I was able to interact with different cultures in Canada and France which helped me greatly for activities like the Supra Chat,” she shared.
June is Filipino Heritage Month for the thriving Filipino-Canadian community in Canada. “Just living here in Canada gives me a sense of being appreciated, especially with how diverse this country is,” she shared. Alexa believes that there is a special connection during fateful encounters with fellow Pinoys. “You will know they are Filipino right away even if you are just walking in the streets of Toronto!” she added.
Being a daughter of Scottish Mr. Les Grant and Batangas-native Mrs. Tess Begornia-Grant, Alexa represents the importance of multiculturalism towards progress. Her shared experience with fellow Filipinos, for example, opened her opportunities to give back. “There are many cultural events for Filipinos here in Toronto and I am able to offer advice on how to get into college, university, or even a job,” she proudly shared.
Youth Founder and Mobilizer for Beyond Our Now
Grant is involved in numerous avenues to empower young people to make a difference in the Greater Toronto Area, in the Philippines – and soon, Canada. She is keen on helping youth learn about how to tackle environmental injustices and homelessness through her initiative Beyond Our Now which was founded in 2022.
“The impact and the change you want to see in the world depends on what we do now as a generation” she proudly shared. “Aligning my personal goals with the sustainable development goals allows our organization to focus on the needs of the community,” she continued.
To date, Beyond Our Now has participated in charity events, multicultural appreciation gatherings, climate justice rallies, and more.
In her personal capacity, she has supported various charities in the Greater Toronto Area and the York University community through fundraising, tree planting, and educational advising.
A Message for the Next Generation
Alexa is fortunate to have a multicultural background that she uses extensively to immerse herself in the community. Her global citizenship led her to exchange programs, charity events, and beauty pageants that shape her as a woman with purpose.
Behind her is a supportive family. She fondly recounts her mother, a teacher in Canada, who would spend recess and break times to encourage family and friends to support her pageant journey. Indeed, a very Filipino moment!
One of her favorite Filipino words is rightfully ‘Bayanihan’ as she thinks it represents what it means to be a Filipino wherever she may go. While she represents Canada, she is proud to be culturally tied to the Philippines. “At the end of the day, my goal is to be an ambassador for change that can put the important messages across for Filipinos – and I encourage others to do the same,” she proudly shared.
READ MORE from Qjiel Mariano here:
- Learn How Atty. Paul Saguil Is Empowering More Filipinos Into The Legal Profession in Canada
- City of Brampton honors Jose Rizal with Bust Installation
- Prioritizing Peacebuilding With Japanese University Professor Dahlia Simangan
- Enjoy International Flavors at STREAT FEAST in Winnipeg this August
- Enjoy Taste of Manila Festival In Toronto’s Little Manila This August
Qjiel Mariano is the newest Good News Pilipinas columnist. The York University Global Health student was selected to join the Clinton Global Initiative Class, awarded the George H.W. Bush Inspiration Honors, and named Education Hero by Youth Service America.
Good News Pilipinas is a Lasallian Scholarum Awardee. TELL US your good news story tips by messaging GoodNewsPilipinas.com on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or e-mailing editor@goodnewspilipinas.com
