HONORS AND AWARDS

Dedicated to the highest standards of excellence and achievement, Ollie’s lifetime of work so far has impacted various constituencies including private businesses, the military, non-profit organizations, law enforcement agencies, crime victims, immigrant communities, people of color, persons with disabilities, and more. Recognition has come from local leaders to presidents of countries.

What follows is a partial list of 67 honors and awards received over the past 30+ years. These cross party lines and are reflective of the respect Ollie has earned through consistently embodying a spirit of collaboration in everything he does. Better still, the results speak for themselves.

2022
Performance Award, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education (For superior professional accomplishment in carrying out work objectives)

2021
Special Act Service Award, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Services, Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, U.S. Department of Education  (For noteworthy contributions to the First Annual DEIA Conference)

2021
Marc Gold Employment Award, TASH (formerly “Team of Advocates for the Severely Handicap”) (For having written a comprehensive resource-rich book supporting internship, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities for people with all types of disabilities nationwide)

2018
Diversity Change Agent Award, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Management, U.S. Department of Education (For actively supporting a workplace environment of diversity and inclusion)  

2017
Angel in Adoption, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (“For your extraordinary contributions on behalf of children in need of a loving home”)

2017
Inductee, Susan M. Daniels National Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame, National Disability Mentoring Coalition (“In recognition of his lifetime commitment of improving lives through mentoring”)

2016
Secretary’s Diversity and Inclusion Award, U.S. Department of Education (“For Exceptional Work In Behalf Of and Impact On Agency Goals in the Recruitment, Retention, and Promotion of Under-Represented Groups”)

2014
Named among the 50 Most Inspirational Alumni of All Time, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles (For noteworthy career achievement, serving as an example for all Law School alumni)

2009
Attorney General’s Special Achievement Award, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice (“In appreciation and recognition for Meritorious Acts of Service performed in behalf of the Department”)

2009
Assistant Attorney General’s Commendation Award, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice (“In recognition for your exceptional service and your dedication to the disability community as Special Counsel in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice”)

2009
Exemplary Advocate Award, Division on Visual Impairment, Council for Exceptional Children (“For promoting the quality of life for people who are blind or visually impaired”)

2008
Attorney General’s Special Achievement Award, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice (“In appreciation and recognition for sustained superior performance of duty”)

2008
Spirit of Service Inclusion Award for Distinguished Leadership, Corporation for National and Community Service, Institute for Community Inclusion, and the Association of University Centers on Excellence in Disability (For years of promoting proactive volunteerism in community service by people with disabilities)

2008
Distinguished Public Service Award, Disability Business and Technical Assistance Center and the North American Coalition for Parents with Developmental and Cognitive Challenges (“For contributions to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities”)

2008
Plaque of Appreciation, Filipino-American Multi-Ethnic Society (“For your commitment, dedication, and support for mentoring, educating, and motivating leadership development”)

2008
Plaque of Appreciation, Security Management Division, Office of Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (For efforts to educate personnel about the emergency preparedness needs of persons with disabilities)

2007
Chairman’s Award of Special Recognition, AbilityOne® Program (formerly, the “President’s Committee For Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled”)(“For historic work to expand support for modern approaches in hiring people with disabilities and developing their leadership in business”)

2007
Meritorious Service Award, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice (“For outstanding service in the advancement of the public interest”)

2007
Attorney General’s Special Service Award, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice (For leadership in expanding and strengthening scope of civil rights enforcement for people with disabilities)

2007
Establishment of the Olegario D. Cantos VII Outstanding Leadership Award, Center for Independent Living of Fresno (to be given annually and in perpetuity to one outstanding local community leader who forges systemic impact in the lives of people with disabilities)

2007
Legendary Achievement Award, United Batangueños of Southern California (“For pioneering efforts to help educate, empower, and inspire millions of people around the world to reach their greatest potential and for noteworthy accomplishments in representing Filipino pride in action while serving the President of the United States”)

2007
Award of Appreciation, Army National Guard (For efforts to promote leadership principles and the need to include Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in every aspect of military service and civilian support)

2007
Certificate of Appreciation, Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (For “your distinguished role to help victim service providers exchange lessons and practices in effective service delivery”)

2006
Pamana Ng Pilipino (“Legacy of the Filipino”) Award, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines (For extraordinary leadership in demonstrating the highest values of Filipino ideals at their best)

2006
Mayoral Proclamation, Robert A. Cashell, Sr., Mayor, City of Reno (declaring October 16, 2007 as a day in honor of Olegario D. Cantos VII for national leadership, having an impact on the City of Reno, NV)

2006
Key to the City, James Abramson, Mayor, City of Louisville (For impacting the lives of people with disabilities in Louisville, KY)

2006
Leadership Award, National Hispanic Professional Organization (For noteworthy efforts to ensure greater access and opportunity for Hispanics with disabilities nationwide)

2006
Award of Appreciation, Naval Installations Command, Washington, DC (For actions to advance issues of importance to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders)

2006
Living Tribute Award, Catholic Big Brothers/Big Sisters (For ongoing exemplary work in serving as a role model for youth)

2006
Award of Appreciation, Migrant Heritage Commission (For steadfast commitment to service at the highest levels of the Federal Government while spotlighting attention to issues of migrant farm workers)

2006
Robert Stack Achievement Award, Blind Children’s Center (For decades of steady leadership in demonstrating the true capabilities of those who are blind)

2006
Award of Appreciation, Robert Muller, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice (For past and ongoing efforts to heighten cultural awareness about ethnic minorities for the purpose of promoting full inclusion)

2006
Distinguished Service Award, Batangas USA (For leadership in promoting better awareness about and understanding of issues of particular concern to Filipino-Americans)

2006
President’s Volunteer Service Award, President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation (“In recognition and appreciation for your commitment to strengthening our Nation and for making a difference through volunteer service”)

2005
Award of Appreciation, ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (“In grateful recognition for outstanding service”)

2005
Attorney General’s Special Service Award, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice (For leadership in expanding and strengthening scope of civil rights enforcement for people with disabilities)

2005
Joint Plaque of Appreciation, Edwards Air Force Base / Dryden Flight Testing Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (For exemplary contributions in promoting employment opportunities for people with disabilities)

2005
Plaque of Appreciation, 96th Wing Command, Eglin Air Force Base (for efforts to educate military and civilian personnel about the skill and potential of members of the disability community in working as an integral part of Air Force operations)

2005
Outstanding Alumnus Award, Board of Governors, Loyola Law School, Los Angeles (“In recognition for outstanding contributions to society, the practice of law, and to the Loyola Law School community”)

2005
Certificate of Appreciation, United States Senate (“In recognition of Outstanding Accomplishments”)

2005
Certificate of Recognition, California State Legislature (“For championing of civil rights, particularly those of the disabled, and promotion of cultural awareness and diversity”)

2005
Founder’s Award, Asian Rehabilitation Services (for outstanding leadership in fostering economic advancement of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with disabilities through promoting opportunities for gainful employment)

2005
Excellence in Diversity Award, Federal Asian Pacific American Council (for efforts to promote equality of opportunity for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders within the federal workforce)

2004
Daily Point of Light Award for August 10, 2004, Points of Light Foundation (for volunteerism and community service)

2004
California Big Brother of the Year, California Collaborative on Big Brothers/Big Sisters (for exemplary leadership out of 15,000 big brother “matches” in serving as a positive role model to youth)

2003
Key to the City from Kansas City (Missouri) Mayor Kay Barnes (for leadership in promoting internship and employment opportunities at an international level and in Kansas City)

2003
Administrator’s Award of Appreciation, Federal Aviation Administration (for ongoing efforts to promote mentoring of people with disabilities)

2002.
Leader of Tomorrow Award, Pennsylvania Affiliate, People First (for ongoing work to inspire fellow people with disabilities to speak on their own behalf and to determine the course of their own lives)

2002
Outstanding Service Award, Loyola Marymount University National Alumni Association

2002
Service Award, State Bar of California (for distinguished service as a member of the Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services)

2001
Plaque of Recognition, Employment Diversity Source (for substantially contributing to enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout Los Angeles)

2001
Regional Finalist, White House Fellowship Program (over 600 applicants total)

2000
Paul G. Hearne National Leadership Award, American Association of People with Disabilities (for up-and-coming disability rights leaders, so prestigious that each Award is presented to recipients by members of Congress)

2000
Outstanding Service Award, City of West Covina (for community service and exemplary community citizenship)

2000
Access Award, Commission on Disabilities, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (for outstanding service to the community in advancing disability rights)

2000
Award of Excellence in Leadership, Service & Achievement, United Batangueños of Southern California (ethnic organization) (highest honor, given for exemplary achievement and service to the community)

1998
Distinguished Service Award, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (for leadership as the first client-eligible Board Member to make contributions that warranted being elected to various of its top officer positions from among Board Members who included partners at large law firms, Bar leaders, non-profit organization executives, and other high-profile community activists)

1995
Distinguished Leadership Award, City of West Covina - West Covina, CA (for leadership in the community through hundreds of hours of volunteer service)

1992
Stanley Chan Award for Most Outstanding Graduate in Political Science, Loyola Marymount University (highest honor given to a graduate in the Department, selected by the Department’s faculty based on academic performance and service)

1992
University Presidential Award, Loyola Marymount University (for leadership, community service, and embodying University ideals)

1992
Alpha Sigma Nu National Jesuit Honor Society (given to only a select few in any year, honoring highest levels of achievement in academic excellence and community service)

1992
Student Government Person of the Year (selected by and among all elected and appointed student government leaders to the one individual who demonstrates exemplary contributions to the University as a whole)

1992 & 1991
Rev. Alfred J. Kilp Service and Leadership Award, Loyola Marymount University (given to students whose leadership and service extend far above and beyond the call of duty)

1992
Los Angeles Philanthropic Foundation Scholarship (awarded to a handful of students whose scholarship and service embody philanthropy and a commitment to helping others)

1991
Ezra Davis National Scholar, National Federation of the Blind (named one of the top 2 of more than 500 applicants as the most outstanding blind scholars of the year)

1990
Scholar of the Year, National Federation of the Blind of California (named the highest blind scholar in the State of California)

1990
Distinguished Leadership and Service Award, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (given for “Numerous Accomplishments and Outstanding Service to the Public” in recognition of ongoing leadership in the community)

1990
Outstanding Youth Award, City of Los Angeles (awarded by the Mayor for exemplary accomplishments by youth in the community; only 20 given)