Maria Ditas Boctor (Ditas) was born in Manila, Philippines. Both of her parents come from the Quezon Province. She obtained an Associate in Commercial Science at the Immaculate Heart of Mary College. Then, Ditas studied B.S. in Foreign Service and Journalism at the Lyceum of the Philippines University. Additionally, she learned Arabic reading and writing at the Abu Dhabi School of Language in Abu Dhabi. She also attended Alliance française School in the Philippines, Canada and France. As a student, she was a very diligent and hard-working devoted student throughout her educational endeavor and garnered honors on these undertakings.
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Throughout her career, Ditas has worked in both the private and public sectors. At first, she worked for the Asian Development Bank in the Philippines and later was employed at the Ministry of Health (MOH) Psychiatric branch in Canada. In Abu Dhabi, Ditas worked in the Federal MOH and later on at ADGAS Oil Company. Upon resettling back in Canada, she worked at the MOH Toronto District Health Council, the Community Lifecare Retirement Nursing Home and then retired at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) in Toronto, Ontario.
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As an External Affairs Coordinator, Ditas represents SOSA at various federal, provincial and municipal events where SOSA is involved, like planning community gatherings and meetings. She believes that SOSA is an inspirational avenue that provides civic, social and health bound activities.
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During her younger years, Ditas enjoyed playing sports such as archery and pelota. Now, she enjoys cooking, painting, listening to music, playing instruments, dancing and travelling. Ditas also dedicates her time volunteering and assisting members of her community, both back home in the Philippines and here in Canada. One of her most memorable experiences as a volunteer was her involvement working with children with disabilities of Tahanang Walang Hagdan, Philippines affiliated with the Cheshire Homes Foundation in Belgium. There, she was a proud foster parent and sent three children with special needs to university. In Canada, Ditas volunteered at community assisted living facilities for children with disabilities and provided pastoral visitation in hospitals and nursing homes.
