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PR-2021-28

Toronto, 2 July 2021 – H.E. Ambassador Rodolfo A. Robles and Consul General Orontes V. Castro joined the Virtual Celebration themed “Oras ng Kaligayahan (Time of Joy)” organized by the Filipino Canadian Community House (FCCH) on 19 June 2021 via Zoom. Ms. Maria Guia, President of FCCH organized the event despite the health restrictions still in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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29 June 2021 –Member of Provincial Parliament Honourable Doly Begum hosted a Virtual Celebration of Filipino Heritage Month (FHM) on Saturday, 26 June 2021 via Zoom.

Consul General Orontes V. Castro joined the celebration, together with leaders and members of the Filipino Canadian Community in the Greater Toronto Area. Consul General Castro expressed his appreciation to Hon. Begum for the sponsorship of Bill No. 217, otherwise known as the Filipino Heritage Month Act of 2021, which received Royal Assent and came into effect on 20 May 2021. He said that it is a wonderful gift to the Filipino people and nation. He also highlighted and recognized the efforts of the Filipino Canadian Community who worked and supported MPP Begum.

Consul General Castro likewise presented MPP Begum with the Consul General’s Quincentennial Award, which was announced on 12 June 2021 during the Consulate General’s live streaming of its Virtual Program celebrating the 123rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence. MPP Begum humbly responded to the Consul General’s gesture saying that she is very honored and privileged to be presented with the award and that she feels like a family member of the Filipino Community.

Other Filipino Community leaders present at the webinar also gave their respective messages and greetings. Filipino Torontonians provided entertainment during the virtual celebration. MPP Begum is the Ontario NDP Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough Southwest. She moved to Canada as a child with her parents and younger brother, and has lived in Scarborough most of her life. - END

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PR-2021-32

30 June 2021, Toronto, Ontario – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto is pleased to inform that Filipino Canadian Jeffrey J.D. Andrion, PT, PhD(c), MA, BScPT, was among the awardees of the Centenary Medals of Distinction awarded by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA).

The Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s Centenary Medals of Distinction have been created to mark the Association’s 100th Year Founding Anniversary. The medal serves to recognize 100+ individuals who have made significant contribution and impact to the growth of the Physiotherapy profession from 1920 to 2020. The medals were presented and the recipients were recognized at the CPA’s Congress 2021 Virtual Gala, which was held on 15 May 2021. The prestigious Award recognizes leaders, role models, and innovators who have gone above and beyond in contributing to the profession.

Dr. Andrion was born and raised in the Philippines. He has over twenty (20) years of experiences as a practicing physiotherapist. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy at the Capital University in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines; has a Master’s Degree in Critical Disability Studies and is now completing his PhD in Health at York University. Dr. Andrion is a faculty member of the Department of Physical Therapy of the University of Toronto. He is also a Physiotherapist at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. He is the Founder and Past Chair of the Philippine Working Group-International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation (ICDR) at the University of Toronto until he transferred to Hope and Healing International, formerly Christian Blind Mission Canada, which works across the globe and currently has projects in Africa, Asia (including the Philippines), and Latin America. As Director of International Programs thereat, Dr. Andrion monitors and evaluates different disability-related projects of the organization, with a special focus on children with disabilities.

ICDR was founded in 2004 at the University of Toronto by Mr. Andrion and under his leadership was able to advance research and education in the rehabilitation sciences to improve the lives of people with disabilities worldwide. He organized the annual Dinner of Hope which has raised funds for disability projects in the Philippines, especially with the less fortunate people with disabilities in the Philippines.

Mr. Andrion was presented today with the Consul General’s Quincentennial Awards for his invaluable and continued support to the Filipino Community and the Philippine Consulate General.

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PR-2021-30

28 June 2021 – A Filipino Heritage Month (FHM) virtual celebration was organized and hosted by Member of Parliament Hon. Robert Oliphant, MP for Don Valley West and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on 25 June 2021.

Filipino Canadian Ms. Susan Llanera coordinated the event which celebrated the invaluable contributions of the Filipino Canadian community to Canada. MP Oliphant recognized the tremendous contributions of Filipino Canadians to Canada. He said that Filipino Canadians are Canada’s friends, loved ones, and COVID-19 heroes. MP Ya’ara Saks (York Centre) and MP Carolyn Bennett (Toronto-St. Paul’s) also shared their special greetings on the third annual Filipino Heritage Month to the Filipino Canadian Community during the virtual event.

Consul General Orontes V. Castro joined the celebration via Zoom. His pre-recorded message to the Filipino Community of Don valley West was also shown during the event. He shared during his message the recently approved Bill No. 217 authored by Member of Provincial Parliament Doly Begum declaring June every year as Filipino heritage Month in the province of Ontario. He also mentioned that the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) passed a Proclamation declaring the celebration of June every year as Filipino Heritage Month in all DPCDSB-run schools.

Filipino Canadian talents provided entertainment numbers - dance, songs, including the finale number by a Canadian Boys’ Choir with their rendition of “Bayan Ko” – were presented during the show. There was also cheese pandesal baking demonstration, as well as a Tribute to Frontline Workers at the Mother/Baby Unit of the Humber River Hospital. – END