Filipino Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Rechie Valdez was appointed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet, making her the first Filipino woman to become part of the Canadian Cabinet. Key details: Valdez, 43, was sworn in as Trudeau’s small business minister on Wednesday. Valdez was emotional and fighting back tears as she took her oath, which she opened with the Filipino salutation “mabuhay,” as a new Cabinet member.