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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO HONORS PAFIOO AWARDEE ROBERTO EUSEBIO R. LAVIDES, RECOGNIZES DISTINGUISHED FILIPINO-CANADIANS IN THE 75 FACES OF MIGRATION PROJECT

(From left to right) Mr. Patrick Ong, representing Mr. Rodolfo Ong, Mr. Richard Llanera, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Nonato, Consul General Angelica Escalona. Mr. Robert Eusebio Lavides, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate, Ms. Gelaine Santiago and Dr. Patrick Alcedo

13 March 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto organized a ceremony to confer, on behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., the Presidential Awards on Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) Pamana ng Pilipino Award to Mr. Roberto Eusebio R. Lavides, the lone awardee for Canada. The PAFIOO is a biennial search to honor and recognize overseas Filipinos and other individuals or organizations who contribute to Philippine development initiatives or promote the cause and interest of Filipinos overseas.

Mr. Lavides, a narrative artist and creative director hailing from Gumaca, Quezon province, was given the award for his exemplary achievements in the arts and literature and staunch efforts in propagating Filipino culture and Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s legacy among the Filipino diaspora. His many notable achievements include the introduction of the Filipino language in Ontario schools and the International Rizaliana Art Tour in 1996 to commemorate the centenary of Rizal’s martyrdom.

As part of the event, the Consulate also recognized some of the distinguished Filipino-Canadians included in the 75 Faces of Migration publication and photo exhibit. The project was a joint initiative of the Embassy and Consulates General of the Philippines in Canada and the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Canada last year. It featured 75 Filipino-Canadians who excelled in their respective fields and made valuable contributions to different sectors of Canadian society.  Among those recognized were:

• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Nonato - first Filipino-Canadian to command the Royal Regiment of Canada, one of the largest and oldest military regiments in Canada.
• Mr. Richard Llanera - first secondary school principal of Filipino heritage in Northern Ontario, who taught at the First Nation Native Sena School in North Caribou Lake. He also mentored and supported several Filipino teachers to become licensed teachers in Ontario
• Mr. Rodolfo Ong - President of APO Products Ltd./UNO Foods Inc., which has been distributing Filipino food products across Canada for 40 years. He was represented by his son, Mr. Patrick Ong. ·
• Ms. Gelaine Santiago - co-founder and CEO of Cambio & Co., an ethical fashion retailer based in Toronto, which has helped Filipino artisans and promoted Filipino culture among the younger Filipino-Canadians. ·
• Dr. Patrick Alcedo - first racialized Chair of Department of Dance at York University since its founding in 1970. He was also a PAFIOO Pamana Presidential Awardee in 2022 for achieving excellence in his profession.

In her remarks, Consul General Angelica C. Escalona noted significance of the PAFIOO and 75 Faces of Migration Project in recognizing distinguished overseas Filipinos   who have contributed to uplifting the Filipino spirit and exemplified the highest ideals of service, professionalism, and dedication. She cited the potential transformative power   of the one million Filipinos in Canada, and how the honorees serve as inspirations to the diaspora to do more for the community.

In his response, Mr. Lavides said that he is receiving the award at a critical time in history when there are threats to peace, autonomy, and world order. Emphasizing that Dr. Rizal’s ideals remain relevant today, he said, “This is a quintessential moment where Rizal’s internationalist vision is reverberating loud and clear, echoing in symbolic proportions, prompting us to face this looming adversity head on, prodding us to hold our head high, and motivating us to defend what is universally right.” He added that the award is a reminder that the ideals of Philippine heroes serve as an important guide to overcome challenges.

The families of the honorees, Consulate personnel and consular clients witnessed the ceremony.

PAFIOO Pamana ng Pilipino awardee Mr. Roberto Eusebio Lavides delivering his response

Mr. Lavides with his family, Consul General Escalona and Deputy Consul General Tate

Consul General Escalona with Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Nonato and his family (left photo) and with Ms. Gelaine Santiago and her parents (right photo)

Consul General Escalona with Dr. Patrick Alcedo (left photo) and with Mr. Richard Llanera (right photo)

Consul General Escalona with Mr. Patick Ong, representing Mr. Rodolfo Ong (left photo) and with Mr. Roberto Eusebio Lavides (right photo)

The honorees with their families, Consulate officials and guests