KPU award, \u2018Parallel Project\u2019 book for Surrey creative Argel Monte de Ramos<\/p>\n
Published 6:00 pm Wednesday, June 10, 2026<\/p>\n
June has been a memorable month for Surrey resident Argel Monte de Ramos, proud Filipino-Canadian singer, songwriter, actor, playwright and producer.<\/p>\n
A book-launch event celebrated The Parallel Project, a theatre-focused initiative co-founded in 2020 with Jocelyn Tsui, and now Monte de Ramos has been given an Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.<\/p>\n
Graduated from KPU in 2018, Monte de Ramos was honoured during convocation ceremonies Tuesday, June 9.<\/p>\n
\u201cKPU is very community-driven, and my time there was full of so many happy and joyful moments,\u201d he says. \u201cReceiving this award feels like such a full-circle moment, and I\u2019m really honoured to be a part of the convocation of new graduates this year, because I know that feeling, and it\u2019s so exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
The univesity\u2019s Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes those under age 30 who have demonstrated \u201cexcellence professionally or through community service and have been involved with KPU or alumni activities since graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meantime, The Parallel Project book, co-edited by Monte de Ramos and Tsui, was published by Playwrights\u2019 Canada Press with 22 monologues by and for IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour) and racialized artists.<\/p>\n