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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL TORONTO ATTENDS ASEAN DIALOGUE WITH MINISTER OF EXPORT PROMOTION, INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

12 March 2024 – Consul General Angelica Escalona and Consul Mary Grace Villamayor attended an ASEAN Dialogue with the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development of Canada, which was organized by the Canada ASEAN Business and Trade Association (CABTA). The Dialogue provided an opportunity for government officials of ASEAN member states and business representatives from the ASEAN diaspora community to exchange views with Minister Ng on the promotion of trade, investment and tourism linkages with Canada.

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PHILIPPINE DELEGATION HOSTS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON PHILIPPINE CRITICAL MINERALS ON THE MARGINS OF PDAC 2024

Roundtable participants listening to the presentations on Philippine critical minerals

05 March 2024 – The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Bureau of Investment (BOI) hosted a roundtable discussion on “Philippine Critical Minerals: Industry Overview, Policy Landscape, and Investment Prospects” at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, on the margins of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Mineral Exploration and Mining Convention (PDAC 2024) in Toronto.

The roundtable discussion provided an opportunity for prospective trade and investment partners to directly talk with Philippine government and private sector representatives about the mining industry in the Philippines and industry trends.

Consul General Angelica C. Escalona, who gave the welcome remarks, noted the Philippines’ upward economic growth trajectory and its richness in green metals such as nickel, cobalt and copper. She invited the participants to invest and share their expertise in mining, and to work with the Philippines in joint research, information sharing, capacity building, and technology adaptation or transfer.

Philippine government officials led by BOI Executive Director Corazon Halili-Dichosa talked about the Philippines’ ecosystem for the sustainable operation of companies joining the mining industry, Philippine minerals and critical minerals exports, and the country’s green metals potential. National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chair Jennifer Pia Sibug-las highlighted the requirement that indigenous communities be consulted when developing projects on ancestral lands.

Philippine Chamber of Mines Vice-President for Corporate Communications Rocky Dimaculangan shared data and insights on mining and mineral processing in the country while Philippine Nickel Industry Association President Atty. Dante Bravo focused on nickel mining and nickel processing. At present, the Philippines is the second top global producer of mined nickel. END

Roundtable participants with (front row, left to right) BOI Director Lanie Dormiendo, DTI-EMB Director Bianca Pearl Sykimte, Consul General Angelica Escalona, NCIP Chair Jennifer Pia Sibug-las, BOI Executive Director Corazon Halili-Dichosa, DTI Trade and Industry Development Specialist Katrina Lachica and BOI Supervising Investments Specialist for Resource Based Industries Graciela Juatco  

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PHILIPPINE NUCLEAR TRADE MISSION VISITS TORONTO, EXPLORES NUCLEAR ENERGY AS AN OPTION FOR THE PHILIPPINES

06-08 March 2023 – A delegation of Philippine Government and private sector representatives led by Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Sharon Garin were in Toronto for meetings with Canadian energy officials and private entities as part of a multi-city Philippine Nuclear Trade Mission organized by Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service. The delegation included senior leadership from the DOE, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and senior executives from the Philippines’ leading energy companies AboitizPower, MERALCO and Prime Metro BMD Corporation. The meetings provided the delegation with an opportunity to learn about technical and other aspects of nuclear power generation in Canada 

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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL TORONTO CELEBRATES WOMEN'S MONTH 2024 WITH A “WOMEN AND THE COLOR PURPLE” ART THERAPY WORKSHOP

Filipina artist and Philippine Artists Group (PAG) Vice President Michelle Ramos front row, (in black cap) with Consulate and attached agencies personnel and dependents

1 March 2024 – In celebration of Women’s Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto conducted an “Women and the Color Purple” Art Therapy Workshop for Consulate and attached agencies personnel and their dependents.

The workshop was held in line with the Philippine Commission on Women’s observation of #PurpleFridays or #PurpleYourIcon and its goal of “illuminating or adorning offices or landmarks with purple elements as a tribute to women and their impactful contributions to society”.

Acknowledging that the creation of art can relieve stress, help process difficult emotions during challenging events, and promote holistic wellbeing, the Consulate wanted to provide and opportunity to promote wellness and camaraderie among personnel and their families.

Ms. Michelle Ramos, a Filipino artist and current vice president of the Toronto-based Philippine Artists Group (PAG), conducted the two hour-workshop. She brought a sample canvass and taught the participants brush techniques and mixing of colors. The participants then created their own paintings showing a woman wearing a purple terno or traditional Filipino dress in support of women empowerment. Purple, green and white are the colors of International Women's Day.

Consulate personnel expressed appreciation for the workshop, with one frontliner saying “I was able to show my artistic side through painting. Even though my painting is not that beautiful or perfect, it gives me satisfaction and makes me smile every time I see it. Painting is a good stress reliever that many of us should try. Looking forward to another session.” (END)

Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville C. Tate welcomes participants to the art workshop (Left) Ms. Ramos demonstrates a technique to Consul Rodney Jonas L. Sumague (Right) Consulate and attached agencies personnel at work on their canvassess