A performing artist with a passion for storytelling is being recognized with an Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU).
Argel Monte de Ramos is a Filipino-Canadian singer, songwriter, actor, playwright and producer.
Argel Monte de Ramos, who graduated from KPU with a Diploma in General Studies in 2018, was honoured at the university's convocation ceremonies on June 9.
"KPU is very community driven and my time there was full of so many happy and joyful moments," says Monte de Ramos. "Receiving this award feels like such a full circle moment and I'm really honoured to be a part of the convocation of new graduates this year because I know that feeling, and it's so exciting."
Monte de Ramos is a Filipino-Canadian singer, songwriter, actor, playwright and producer based in Surrey, B.C. His work has earned him several accolades, including being named a top 10 finalist in CBC Music's Toyota Searchlight, an Excellence Award by a BIPOC Artist at the Fraser Valley Music Awards, and an OVATION! Award for his performance in Elf! The Musical.
Originally from the Philippines, Monte de Ramos immigrated to Canada at the age of 15. Following his high school graduation, he enrolled at KPU, where he became actively involved in various campus initiatives, including serving as a student ambassador for the Future Students' Office and as an orientation team leader.
Uncertain of which path he wanted to pursue, Monte de Ramos explored a number of different subjects through KPU's general studies program.
"Being an immigrant, there's a lot of pressure around getting into a program that is deemed to be financially sustainable, but I knew from the very beginning that that wasn't the path for me," he says. "KPU was a safe space for me to explore what I want to do and try out different subjects, and along the way, I was able to discover that I can't escape my passion in performing arts."
It was an Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts class in which he discovered his passion for storytelling, and decided to pursue it with dedication. After graduating from KPU, he went on to pursue a Bachelor of Performing Arts at Capilano University, graduating with distinction as class valedictorian.
Monte de Ramos has since dedicated his career to advocating for representation and creating inclusive spaces for marginalized communities within the performing arts. Following his graduation, he co-created The Parallel Project, a collection of commissioned monologues written by and for IBPOC (Indigenous, black and people of colour) and racialized artists. Recently published by Playwrights Canada Press, the book aims to address systemic gaps in theatre training and representation.
"When I was a theatre student, I found there weren't a lot of monologues available for someone who looked like me. This collection is meant to fill that gap, and serve as a resource for students who are looking for something that parallels their own lived experience," he says.
Monte de Ramos currently works with Arts Umbrella, a not-for-profit arts education centre that provides accessible arts programming for children and youth across Metro Vancouver.
The Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes KPU alumni who are under 30 years old, have demonstrated excellence professionally or through community service and have been involved with KPU or alumni activities since graduation.
