It was a well-attended event as community paid tribute to the late Music Man himself, Mar Mance through a concert, last December 8th at Essence Event Centre.
Dubbed as “A Night for the Music Man,” the concert featured OPM Legend Mike Hanopol, known for his OPM hits Laki sa Layaw and Balong Malalim. Local artists also sung a few of Mar’s favourite song, some of which were personally requested by Mar’s wife, Vangie Mance. Among the artists who performed were Aliw and Next Chapter, Raffy Swap One, Neil Cruz, Shirley Platon, Sharon Ching, Avegail Tadiarca and hosted by Donna Arenas and Papa Dee.
The night for the music man was not only about performances but also Mar’s great cause that continue to support and inspire our kababayan engineers, through the Mario T. Mance P. Eng Memorial Scholarship. Launched in May 2018, the scholarship program in cooperation with Filipino Members Chapters-Engineers Geoscientist and Filipino- Canadian Technical Professional Association of Manitoba, award grants to members of the organizations who are pursuing Engineering course or immigrants who want to upgrade and get licensed as Engineers.
The first batch of recipients who were initially awarded last November 30,2019 were presented at the concert, namely Jocelyn Domingo, Dean Kenneth Bundalian, Gympson Agravante and Joseph Magtoto.
Jocelyn Domingo is a graduate of BS Industrial Engineering from Manila. She came to Canada in 2015 and became a member of the Filipino Member Chapter – Engineers and Geoscientist Manitoba. After 3 years of settling down and working while raising their first child, Joyce decided to work on her professional registration earlier this year. She is currently reviewing to take the FE exam. After she passes the exam, she advocates to help her fellow Filipinos by participating in the FMC-EGM mentorship programs.
Dean Kenneth Bundalian is a licensed Electronics Engineer from the Philippines. He came to Canada in July last year and got admitted to take IEEQ (Internationally Education Engineers Qualification) Program at the University of Manitoba to study Electrical Engineering. His course term starts in January 2020 and he expects to finish in December 2021. Dean is also a member of FMC-EGM.
Joseph Magtoto is an Electronics Engineer who also migrated to Canada from the Philippines. Ha came in June 2018 of this year and started taking Electrical Engineering at the University of Manitoba in September. He is currently a full-time student under the IEEQ program at the Univerity of Manitoba . He is scheduled to graduate in August next year. While studying, he is also doing volunteer works at Red Cross Canada Injury Prevention Program, Calvary Temple Church and FMC-EGM.
Among the scholars, Gympson Agravante migrated at an early age here in Manitoba. He is currently a fifth-year Mechanical Engineering student at the U of M. He and his family migrated to Canada in November 2001 when he was only 5 years old. He is consistently a dean’s lister since 2017. Gymspson shares that he always tries his best to share knowledge to fellow students through helping them study for an exam, completing a project or laboratory reports.
At the concert, the four scholars have expressed their gratitude to this cause of Mar Mance and to the two engineering organizations in which Mar was also a founding member.
About Mario Mance
Mario T. Mance migrated to Canada in 1989 where he also met the love of his life, Vangie. They got married in 1995 and were blessed with three lovely kids- Mark, Jasper and Casey.
Mar worked for the Manitoba Hydro for 28 years and prepared tax as part time job for 20 years.
While being a good provider to his family, Mar never forgot about his community. He used his passion for music and basketball in engaging fellow Filipinos through entertainment and sports events which significantly helped the community.
Mar never stopped learning. He took short courses at Red River College and University of Wisconsin. At the age of 50, he decided to pursue his professional accreditation at the University of Manitoba. He was later on recognized as a licensed Civil Engineer.
He was known to many as a philanthropist, a mentor and an encourager especially to the new immigrants.
Mar was later on diagnosed with cancer and passed away on January 17, 2019.
But as how his saying goes, “you can teach old dog new tricks,” Mar valued learning and this is his legacy that will live on through a great cause, the Mario T. Mance P.Eng. Memorial Scholarship, which will continue to inspire and support people who like, Mar, never stop learning and helping the community.
Photos by Noni Manalili and Chito Sta. Brigida
