Jeff Rustia is the Founder and Executive Director of Canada Philippine Fashion Week. He is a Canadian broadcaster, creative director, TV host, and Executive Producer of Filipino descent. He is recognized in the TV industry as a leading creative executive of FRONT TV, an international broadcast design and branding agency. Under his leadership, Front TV is known for its award winning global design for networks like Nickelodeon (Philippines, Europe, Africa), Discovery, CPAC, HBO, CBC, and Current TV. FRONT TV is recognized as one of the first agencies in Canada to specialize in diversity.
As a TV host and VJ, Rustia is known for hosting Club Fashion, a weekly national show on fashion, style icons, nightlife, and club culture on BPM:TV, Canada’s 24-hour Dance Music Video Channel. Rustia has interviewed many prominent figures in fashion, entertainment, and music from Jean Paul Gaultier, Cyndi Lauper to Fergie (Black Eyed Peas). The style program has taken Rustia to over 38 countries and 121 cities including a recent fashion TV special on the Philippines. Rustia also hosts several BPM:TV Specials including 50 Most Fashionable Music Videos and 60 BPM Daily Music News.
As Executive Producer, Rustia has developed and produced several Canadian programs, such as Pet Fashion TV, on the latest pet styles and trends, and Kol’s World, a first of its kind, children’s animated TV series about a boy in a wheelchair named Kol whose zest for life enables him to overcome any obstacle.
In 2006, Rustia received the Philippine Presidential Pamana Award for his achievements in the world of Media and Television, from Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Jeff Rustia was born in Quezon City, Philippines. He grew up and studied in Toronto.He is the founder of FYC, Filipino Youth of Canada, the first umbrella organization that united all Filipino students across Canada and instilled Filipino pride among the youth. He also created Kabataan, the first Filipino Youth theatre group in Canada, and wrote its first play, “Ala-Ala”, about a Fil-Can boy whose passion for the Philippines is re-awakened.
Rustia graduated in 1992 with a 4-Years Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Toronto. Soon after, Rustia moved to Asia and became the first Filipino-Canadian producer and director of Channel [V], (formerly MTV Asia). He produced many primetime TV shows and most notably is know as the man behind Sigaw Manila, the first international mtv program that promoted Philippine music, culture and entertainment. This popular show captivated the imagination of the Filipinos including President Fidel Ramos and First Lady Ming Ramos, who invited him to a special State dinner at Malacanang Palace in 1995.
In 1995, Rustia moved to Singapore and headed up the broadcast advertising promotions of HBO and Cinemax. He created the on air identity for HBO across Asia including the Philippines. In 1997, Rustia returned to Toronto and became the Head of Creative and Marketing for two CBC owned networks, Trio and Newsworld International. When USA Networks purchased the two channels, Rustia launched FRONT TV, his own TV branding agency, now celebrating its 14th year in business.
Rustia is the Co-Founder and Vice President of Kol Hope Foundation for Children, the first charitable organization that supports children born with disabilities in Canada and the Philippines.The Foundation, is named after his late son, Kol, who passed away on October 9, 2011. Kol is the inspiration and story behind this charity. Kol Hope has four beneficiaries, namely, Easter Seals Canada, Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto and 2 special children homes, Bacolod Boys Home and Holy Infant Nursery in Bacolod Philippines.
