Community organizer, father, and now political hopeful RJ Aquino is running as a COPE candidate for Vancouver city council in the November 19 election. Aquino sat down with Schema Magazine to talk about his cultural identity, community work, and path to politics.

Aquino moved from the Philippines to San Francisco when he was 11 years old, and then to Vancouver when he was 17. As the new kid in high school, he received a fair bit of attention from the ladies until one day a classmate told him she would never date him because he was Filipino. He quickly discovered she saw young Filipino men as drug-dealing, clubbing, materialistic basketball players that loved hip-hop and had no plans for the future. Other than his love for hip-hop, Aquino definitely didn't fit the bill. Looking for positive role models that broke this stereotype sparked his fascination in cultural identities and exploring his own.

After traveling extensively in the Philippines in 2005 and 2009, Aquino realized how important it was for Filipinos abroad, especially young people, to understand their culture. Along with a friend, Jay Catalan, Aquino started the organization Tulayan as a way to connect Filipinos in Vancouver to their heritage and history.

His involvement within his community sparked an interest in politics.

"Working with a lot of immigrant communities, the recurring theme is that issues that affect Filipinos affect other communities, affect first generation to seventh generation Canadians," Aquino said.

RJ Aquino at a protest of a Denny's Restaurant in March 2011 over its treatment of Filipino temporary foreign workers. Source: brentgranby

Ultimately, it was the birth of his daughter in January the spurred him to enter the municipal race. He described it as a "paradigm shift" in how he saw the future, underscoring the need for positive role models and people committed to change.

Here, some highlights from our conversation on his path to politics.

How has your family influenced you to be politically active?

They haven't—that's the thing. I am the odd one out. In my family, politics is discussed by the older folks but usually in contempt or disdain. It was that pessimism and cynicism that got to me. One day I spoke to my uncle and asked him, "Why don't you do something about it?"

"I'm too old" was his response. And I thought maybe I should do something about it now while I am young so I don't have that excuse.

What got you involved in your community?

I asked myself the question: Why are Filipino males lacking ambition and is there a positive Filipino role model? And during that time the answer was no. That got me thinking and really led to me analyze the state of affairs when it comes to positive cultural identification.

These are not themes specific to the Filipino community. There are themes that occur in any culture and any community. This is something that young people, that have grown up outside of their home countries, "hyphenated Canadians" I should say, ask themselves. One of the things I sought to do is increase our knowledge and understanding in placing these stereotypes into context. That was one of the reasons with a friend, Jay Catalan, we started the organization Tulayan which in Tagalog means to bridge.

At a Filipino flag raising event in Vancouver. Source: RJ Aquino for City Hall

Why did you choose to enter municipal politics, over federal or provincial politics?

I am a very results-oriented guy in my professional life. Looking at all three levels of government, I have seen that municipal politics have the most immediate impact on people's lives. That's what appealed to me.

I had a choice to look at the three different municipal parties and I have friends in acquaintances in all three parties. It turned out that COPE lined up with my principles and I was immediately drawn to what they stood for and what they fought for.

They've kept this up without becoming beholden to special interests. You're only commitment is to the membership and ultimately you are serving the residents of the city.

Do you think there is an "ethnic vote" in Vancouver? How do you feel about that term?

If you want to say there are a lot of Chinese people, a lot South Asian people and a lot Filipino people voting, yes that's an ethnic vote. I want to make sure people vote on the issues and for the person ultimately and that they don't vote just because someone is Chinese or Filipino.

I made a decision to run but I wasn't thinking I should run because I am Filipino. I wanted to run because I want to continue to work to make Vancouver a better place taking the lessons I learned in the Filipino community and applying them to the rest of the city.

I have encountered people who have said you are now the token "ethnic vote-getter." Which is unfortunate because that is not the case. I think we are past that now as a city. We are realizing that it's not about your specific community.

Aquino at Occupy Vancouver with COPE Councilor Ellen Woodsworth. Source: Coalition of Progressive Electors

How do you get people engaged in the political process beyond just voting?

A lot of people see voting as "Oh, I've done my part." What people need to see is yes, you have voted and expressed your democratic privilege. In a democracy the person with the most votes is the elected official. Now it is up to you to hold their feet to the fire.

If you don't like what they are doing, let them know. Mobilize enough opinion to make sure that they are going to want to do something about it.

Ideally, what kind of city would you want your daughter to grow up in?

A city where she is able to be proud of her heritage and feel comfortable sharing or promoting her culture.

Being able to live in the city where the availability of opportunity is equal to everybody. Availability of opportunity means people can pursue what interests them and fulfills them so they can be a contributing member of a society. That makes the city all the more richer.

One last question, what's the last song on your iPod?

I don't think if this is coincidence or not but it's Politik by Coldplay.

Related Links
For more on RJ Aquino and his politics, visit his official website rjaquino.ca.

RJ Aquino's nomination speech (Source: alcantada)

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Sadiya Ansari is a Pakistani-born, Canadian-raised UBC journalism student who loves politics—near and far. You can follow her @SadiyaAnsari.