Peña Family Foundation Nursing Laboratory becomes Langara College's first-ever named space

Langara College unveiled the Peña Family Foundation Nursing Laboratory on 8 October, the first named space in its history, recognising a donation from Filipino Canadian philanthropists Tony and Marissa Peña to renovate its 40-bed nursing simulation lab.

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Filipino Canadian philanthropists Antonio (Tony) and Marissa Peña made history at Langara College on 8 October 2026 with the unveiling of the Peña Family Foundation Nursing Laboratory, the first-ever named space in the college's history, Canadian Filipino Net reported. The naming recognises a donation from the Peña Family Foundation to renovate and enhance the college's nursing simulation laboratory, a 40-bed facility where students develop clinical skills.

The ceremony was part of Langara's Celebrating Generosity 2026 event and was emceed by Yusuf Varachia, the college's vice-president for external relations and community engagement. "What is the most valuable asset we could give to students? It isn't a diploma, but a network of trust," Tony Peña said, describing the gift as a response to British Columbia's health-care challenges.

Originally from the Philippines, the Peñas immigrated to Canada in 1978 and built a money services and shipping business serving Vancouver's Filipino community. Their foundation has supported education and leadership programs since 2014 and has helped about 50 post-secondary students in British Columbia and the Philippines. Nearly 40 per cent of its scholars have attended Langara, and its first two scholars graduated from Langara with nursing degrees.

Leicester, a Term 7 nursing student and scholarship recipient, told the gathering the support "gave me hope". The couple's foundation previously funded the Antonio and Marissa Peña Learning and Events Room at the University of British Columbia's Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, according to the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver.