Donna Clacer
Height: 5’3
Hometown: Burnaby, BC
Languages: English
Occupation: Actor, Digital Creator, Client Care Specialist
Donna Clacer is a charismatic and determined woman from Burnaby, British Columbia. This Filipina- Canadian is an actor, model, and digital creator. With her radiant smile and undeniable presence, Donna has captivated audiences since a young age. Her love for the performing arts has fostered since she was two years old and has now worked on several commercials, independent films, music videos, and more. A previous violinist of ten years, this former Miss Philippines is also a client care specialist and recently graduated from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Donna’s love and dedication to making a positive impact on society has driven her to seize every opportunity to inspire and empower others. This humanitarian advocate has expanded her initiatives of supporting the Canadian poverty line by working with various non-profit organizations such as the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, in which she has fulfilled the duties of providing healthy food for those in the Lower Mainland. Throughout this involvement, Donna also initiated an annual Christmas Toy Drive in collaboration with the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. Driven by change, this young woman also contributed over $1,400 towards the Cardiac Kids Foundation through solo bottle drives and fundraiser campaigns around her community. This ideal Miss Universe aims to amplify her advocacies to end poverty and create lasting change by raising awareness about inequality on a global scale.
Beyond her advocacies, Donna is an accomplished violinist and loves to sing and dance. She has performed on several stages, using her artistry to convey powerful narratives and celebrate cultural diversity. Donna’s grace and poise on stage reflect her commitment to discipline, hard work, and the pursuit of excellence. She believes that through the universal language of performing arts, she can bridge gaps and foster unity among different communities, celebrating the beauty of diversity.
With her exceptional blend of intellect, talent, and philanthropy, Donna Clacer stands ready to make an impact. She is determined to use her voice and platform to address pressing global issues and bring about transformative change. Donna’s unwavering commitment to change, her passion for the arts, and her dedication to service make her a role model for aspiring young individuals striving to create a brighter future for all.
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
As a performer, I love to act, sing, and dance. The stage makes me feel at home, and the idea of ongoing training pushes me to persevere. I enjoy diving into different scripts to challenge my skill set, tell a story through the power of music, and express emotions through movement. Art is a powerful way to make people feel something. Additionally, I love discovering new places and trying new foods.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
- Violin (10 Years)
- Piano
- Acting
- Singing (Belt, D3 – A5)
- Dance (Intermediate Hip Hop, Beginner Jazz Funk)
- Modelling
- Social Media & Marketing
- CPR & First Aid Training
- Latte Art
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
Inspired by my older sister, I played volleyball growing up. Through the sport, I learned the importance of teamwork and practiced the valuable skills of discipline and determination. Also, it is a fun sport to play at the beach!
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
Adelynn Cupino, the founder and director of Miss Philippines International of Canada. She is a social worker for the Government of British Columbia and a highly decorated pageant titleholder, most recently known for her title of Mrs. Philippines World 2022. Adelynn is a true believer of self- development and women empowerment, and has inspired me to pursue my dreams and push my humanitarian advocacies further. She goes by the saying “practice what you preach,” as you cannot grow and evolve if you refuse to step away from the norm. Adelynn has empowered me to be the change, and I am grateful to have her in my life.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
Aside from receiving the James Borelli Memorial Award for Musical Theatre in 2018, my proudest personal accomplishment is being crowned the first, Miss Philippines International of Canada in 2022.
As a first-generation Filipina-Canadian, I had a strong desire to find a way to connect with my heritage and cultural significance. Through this pageant, I managed to dive deeper into my roots by working directly with several Filipino-Canadian associations such as Pinoy Festival Alliance, Burnaby Filipino Cultural Society, Mabuhay House, and more. Additionally, I had amazing experiences of supporting small businesses, such as modelling for Genette Mujar – also known as Gnetz Designs, at Vancouver’s Pista Ng Bayan and the Filipino Heritage Gala.
I am honoured to have had the opportunity to raise our flag and represent approximately 97 million Filipino’s in Canada. My success with the title came with valuable lessons that went way beyond the crown.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
I was introduced to traveling at the young age of 2! I have visited nine different countries so far, and I want to build that list to visit under-developed communities in order to use my platform and be the voice for those in need. I am driven to end poverty and I want to inspire children to dream big, because nothing is impossible. My family instilled the importance of interpersonal relationships and I want to apply that to my humanitarian work worldwide.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My ultimate career ambition is to build a business empire from the ground up. I aspire to be an award- winning actor and launch several businesses that support multiple non-profit organizations such as SOS Children’s Villages, UNICEF and Make-A-Wish. To ensure success, I believe that ideas must be developed one at a time. Currently, my acting journey is on hiatus as my top priority is to earn the title of Miss Universe Canada. However, I am saving money in order to attend more classes and obtain more certifications that will help my journey through the entertainment industry later on.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
I would love to work as a full-time actor while pursuing my humanitarian advocacies worldwide. Actors are agents of change. A film, a piece of theatre, music, or a book can make a difference and inspire others to step out of their comfort zone and change the world. Dramatic arts taught me to take the risk and follow my purpose, and my purpose is to create and impact others through art and emotion.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I am thankful to have been born and raised in Burnaby, British Columbia. I grew up in a small, loving home with my mom, dad, and older sister. My parents are the ones who instilled leadership within me and demonstrated that anyone can make a difference. Newly immigrated to Canada, they were one of the first families to promote composting in the City of Burnaby and made it onto the front cover of our local newspaper. Learning this, I was eager to make a change and at the young age of 6, I accompanied my mom with local community clean ups throughout my elementary years. My family stories and childhood moments have assisted with the determination of my core values of integrity, compassion, and social responsibility, and have inspired me to become a transformational leader.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
Throughout my post-secondary, I worked as a part-time barista at Blenz Coffee. It took me quite a while to learn how to create latte art, as the milk had to be a specific temperature and consistency! I am proud to have dealt with several morning rushes on my own, as it gave me the acquired skills of time management, multitasking, and physical stamina. However, the best part about this job was being able to serve various types of people and practice my communication skills, as I worked at three different locations. This job definitely helped shape who I am today!
List any volunteering you have done.
- UN Crisis Relief – Ukraine Humanitarian Fund
- Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Young Focus Philippines
- Kids Help Phone
- Cardiac Kids – In Support of SickKids Foundation
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Downtown East Side Women’s Centre
- Greater Vancouver Food Bank
- Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau
- Burnaby Christmas Bureau
- Richmond Hospital Foundation
- Dixon Transition Society
- Terry Fox Run
- Church Choir
What is your most unusual talent?
I can do a really good goat impression!
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
In 2018, I travelled throughout Europe with my family. The most interesting place I have experienced is Basilica at Montserrat, in Catalonia, Spain. It is a breathtaking monastery of architectural significance, and I had the opportunity to witness one of their masses and choral concerts. There is a special part in the monastery where the monks live – an area restricted to the public. This peak in Catalonia truly is a sacred location, and I cannot wait to explore more places in the world just like this!
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
I am determined to become an Academy Award-winning actor in the next ten years. A triple threat known for multiple hit projects, a model, humanitarian activist, multiple-business owner, and digital creator that is also a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. My family project of investing and building a water well to provide clean, drinking water in Silaki Island, the Philippines – will also be complete.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
I believe that beauty comes from the heart. Once you can love yourself, that is when you can share love with others. As your next Miss Universe Canada, I promise to continue inspiring communities to bring out the best in themselves. Continuous improvement is the key to success.