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PRESS RELEASE No. 45

National Team Athlete Ms. Chloe Kennedy Anne D. Isleta Participates in the Leg 2 of  FINA Swimming World Cup 2022

02 November, Toronto – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto is pleased to report that National Team athlete Ms. Chloe Kennedy Anne D. Isleta participated in the Leg 2 of the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) Swimming World Cup 2022 held in Toronto Pan AM Sports Centre on 28 to 30 October 2022. The final results of the World Cup 2022 which reflect the standing of Ms. Isleta in the different swimming styles, as follows: 6th placer - Women 200m Backstroke 3rd placer - Women 200M IM – HEAT 1/3 2nd placer - Women 200M Back – HEAT 2/4 FINA was formed on 19 July 1908 during the Olympic Games in London (GBR) by the European countries namely: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary and Sweden. END

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PRESS RELEASE NO. 43

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO AND YORK UNIVERSITY SIGN DEED OF DONATION TO IMPLEMENT A PHILIPINE STUDIES PROGRAM

21 November 2022, Toronto - The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and York University signed a Deed of Donation to implement a Philippine Studies Program. Through the Deed of Donation, the Philippine Government will donate PhP5,000,000.00 or around CAD$116,000.00 to York University. Consul General Orontes V. Castro signed in behalf of the Philippine Government while Dr. Rhonda L. Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor of York University, led the signing for the University. The objective of the program is to enhance people-to-people relations between the Philippines and Canada through academic programs, projects, and activities related to Filipino history, cultures, and society.

The donation was made possible through the initiative of the Honorable Loren Legarda, Senator and President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines. In a message read by Consul General Castro, Senator Legarda highlighted her advocacy for cultural diplomacy and the importance of academic engagements in strengthening bilateral relations between the Philippines and Canada. “The Philippine Studies Program at York University will highlight the relevance of the academe in enhancing our countries’ relations and opening opportunities for more collaboration in various fields,” Senator said in her message. Likewise, Dr. Lenton, in her remarks, conveyed the University’s deep appreciation for the donation. She noted that the implementation of a Philippine Studies program at York University highlights the mutually-shared values between the Philippines and Canada; and will lead to further cooperation on higher education.

Consul General Castro, for his part, noted that the donation will go a long way in promoting Philippine culture and cooperation between the Philippines and Canada, especially with the increasing number of Filipinos in Canada based on the latest partial results of the 2021 Census conducted by Statistics Canada.

Projects and activities which are expected to be implemented under the program include lectures, enhancement of the Filipiniana collection of the University, research and publication; and institutionalization of a Philippine studies course. The signing of the Deed of Donation was attended by York University officials, professors, and students; officials of the Consulate General; and leaders of the Filipino-Canadian community. OMNI News in Canada covered the event and the TV coverage can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/OMNIFilipino/videos/973720674018873/

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PRESS RELEASE NO. 44

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO DISCUSSES COOPERATION ON HIGHER EDUCATION WITH ONTARIO MINISTRY OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES 

21 November 2022, Toronto - Consul General Orontes V. Castro of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto met with Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Queen’s Park to discuss ongoing cooperation on Higher Education and other possible areas of collaboration.

Consul General Castro conveyed to Minister Dunlop that the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and several Philippine State Universities and Colleges have signed agreements with higher educational institutions in Ontario in line with the Philippine Government’s thrust on higher education internationalization. He further noted the increasing number of Filipino students in Ontario. As such, the Philippines would like to further strengthen cooperation on higher education with the Province.

Left: Consul General Castro and Minister Dunlop discuss further areas of cooperation on higher education; Right: Consul General Castro presents a gift to Minister Dunlop. Minister Dunlop conveyed her support to strengthen cooperation on higher education between the Philippines and the Province of Ontario. She added that she looks forward to meeting her Philippine counterpart, Chairman J. Prospero E. De Vera III, to discuss further opportunities on cooperation. END

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 PR NO. 42

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO AND TEN FILIPINO-CANADIAN PROFESISONAL GROUPS SPEARHEAD FIRST FILIPINO-CANADIAN PROFESSIONALS CONVENTION IN ONTARIO

October 2022, Toronto - The First Filipino-Canadian Professionals Convention in Ontario was held on 27 October 2022 at the auditorium of the Improve Canada Mall, 7250 Keele St., Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. The Convention, with the theme “Integrating Filipino Professionals in Canada”, is intended to facilitate information dissemination and sharing of best practices on getting a license and to fully practice their respective professions in Canada.

Officers of the Filipino-Canadian Professionals Organizations with Consul General Orontes V. Castro (center) pose for a group picture during the Convention.

The Convention was organized by the Philippine Consulate General in partnership with 10 Filipino-Canadian Professional organizations in Ontario representing nurses, dentists, physiotherapists, engineers, architects, construction professionals, realtors, accountants, peace officers and teachers Consul General Orontes V. Castro, Hon. Gino Rosati, Local and Regional Councillor, City of Vaughan; and Hon. Steven Del Duca, Mayor-elect, City of Vaughan gave welcome remarks during the opening program. Among the Special Guests were Hon. David Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development; Hon. Charito A. Zamora, Chairperson, Professional Regulation Commission, who gave a recorded message; and Hon. J. Prospero de Vera III, Chairman, Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

From left to right: Consul General Orontes V. Castro, Vaughan Councillor Gino Rosati and Vaughan Mayor-elect Steven Del Duca, delivering their welcome remarks

PRC Chairperson Zamora noted that the Convention is in line with the thrust of the PRC to have the credentials of Filipino professionals be accredited in the global market. As such, she looks forward to the discussions and outcome of the Convention. MPP Smith, for his part, highlighted the efforts of Ontario Province to have a clear path for accreditation for internationally-trained professionals, which included removal of the Canadian work experience requirement and reducing language testing requirements. He said that the Province will continue to work closely with the Philippines on the concerns of Filipino workers.

From left to right: PRC Chairperson Charito A. Zamora, MPP David Smith and CHED Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III delivering their remarks as Special Guests

In his remarks, CHED Chairman De Vera noted that Canada has become a destination of choice for many Filipinos. As such, CHED, in line also with the instructions of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., is undertaking reforms on higher education to assist Filipinos working and living all over the world in the recognition of their educational credentials and qualifications. The second part of the program was the breakout sessions of the different professional organizations to discuss issues and concerns on the accreditation of academic credentials and experience earned in the Philippines; and recommended forward actions. After the breakout sessions, the different groups reconvened for the plenary session during which the Presidents of the professional groups gave their reports. The highlight of the Convention was the signing of a Resolution by the Presidents of the organization to continue coordination, especially in the implementation of the recommendations; and to hold the Convention on an annual basis to serve as a platform for discussion and policy formulation on the issues and concerns of Filipino professionals in Ontario.

Consul General Orontes V. Castro signing the Convention Resolution as witness.

Around 200 Filipino professionals, members of the Consular Corps of Toronto and students attended the event. The ten Filipino-Canadian Professionals Organizations include the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants (AFCA); Association of Filipino Canadian Engineers (AFCE); Filipino Construction Professionals of Ontario (FilConPro); Integrated Filipino Canadian Nurses Association (IFCNA); Philippine Teachers Association of Canada (PTAC); United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), Ontario Canada Chapter; Society of Physiotherapists with Foreign Credentials (SPFC); The Filipino Canadian Dental Hygienists’ Society (FCDHS); Peace Officers Living in Canada Integrated Association (POLICIA); and Filipino Canadian Realtors Association (FILCREA). END