“My whole life, in spite of struggles along the way, I have learned  the fundamental importance of high expectations, no matter how limited the odds for success may be. We need to apply those high expectations in every area of our lives, including in what we expect and demand of our civic leaders.

Blind since birth (having no vision in his left eye and hardly any vision in his right), Ollie Cantos is the son of Filipino immigrants. Raised in West Covina since his preschool years and the victim of daily bullying and taunts by other kids, his self-confidence and self-esteem were sorely lacking. He did not think he would grow up to amount to much. But, his Mom and Dad both expected and demanded him to excel as other kids did. The pressure was intense. However, he just kept on going.

Eventually, while attending Hollencrest Junior High, he ran for and was elected Student Body Vice President in 8th Grade, he subsequently became Junior Class President and then Student Body President at Bishop Amat Memorial High School. He later attended Loyola Marymount University, ultimately completing his Bachelor’s degree as the Outstanding Graduate in Political Science and then earning his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles.

Ollie is the adoptive Dad to three blind triplet sons Leo, Nick, and Steven who came into his life when they were 10 and who rose to be the first blind triplets ever to attain the coveted rank of Eagle Scout in what was then Boy Scouts of America. 

Over his lifetime thus far, he has shared his journey of struggle to triumph with audiences totaling more than 58,000. His story has been told on radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and online media outlets around the world. He has also received numerous local, state, national, and international honors and awards for his accomplishments. 

When all is said and done, though, Ollie remains firmly grounded here in West Covina, where he grew up and where he continues to reside and call home.

Ollie has served in a number of capacities over the majority of his life. These have been both within the governmental and non-profit sectors as well as in collaboration with business. His local community activism propelled him to the national stage in Washington, DC. Now working remotely and having received approval to keep this arrangement permanently, he is poised to leverage his national experience to benefit us right here in our own hometown. He is here to stay, and he is ready to work with and for fellow West Covina residents, partnering with us to help improve livability for all.