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Philippine Consul General in Toronto Angelica Escalona (7th from left), Canadian Embassy in Manila Trade Commissioner Charlene Ferrer (8th from left), Mr. Mario Tani of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (9th from left) and Philippine delegates to the Collision 2024 conference

20 June 2024 – The Philippines participated in the Collision 2024 conference, which is considered North America’s fastest-growing technology conference that welcomes innovators, entrepreneurs and tech professionals from around the world to Toronto. The conference was held from 17 to 20 June 2024 at the Enercare Centre in Toronto.

The Philippine delegation, which was led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), was composed of two main groups, the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and Startup Village. The Philippines had a booth inside the Enercare Centre which served as a base for business meetings, pitches and networking.

Philippine Consul General in Toronto Angelica Escalona visited the Philippine booth on 18 June.

According to Mr. Mario Tani of the DTI, both IBPAP and Startup Village have said that their participation far exceeded expectations. The Philippine representation inside the Collision was able to collect more than 300 visitor details in only three days.

On 17 June, at the sidelines of the conference, the DTI co-organized with the Philippine Canadian Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) the “Bilateral Synergies: Philippines and Canada Trade Forum” at the OTT Financial Group in North York. The forum was attended by the members of the Philippine delegation and Canadian business groups. END

Consul General Escalona, Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague and Mr. Tani waiting for the pitches of Philippine startups cooperating with DMZ, a leading startup incubator and accelerator Consul General Escalona delivering her remarks at the Bilateral Business Synergies: Philippines and Canada Trade Forum at the sidelines of the Collision conference

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  Flag raising at the Toronto City Hall

12 June 2024, Toronto – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, together with the Filipino community, commemorated the 126th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and Filipino Heritage Month with the annual Philippine flag raising ceremonies at the Toronto City Hall and Ontario Legislative Assembly at Queen’s Park.

The flag raising at the Toronto City Hall, which was organized in collaboration with the Philippine Independence Day Flag Raising Committee, was held at 9:00 a.m. It was attended by representatives from different Filipino community (FilCom) organizations representing nurses, women, seniors and international students, among others. Toronto City Councillor Brad Bradford represented Mayor Olivia Chow during the flag raising ceremony.

Mr. Mark Gravoso, President of the Integrated Filipino-Canadian Nurses Association (IFCNA), who gave the welcome remarks on behalf of the Filipino community, highlighted the heroism of Filipinos, past and present. “Embracing freedom, respecting tradition, cultivating resilience, fostering collaboration, and learning from the past are important lessons that allow us to strive for our personal fulfillment and professional success and contribute to the betterment of society”, Mr. Gravoso said.

The flag raising at the Ontario Legislative Assembly, which was in collaboration with the Federation of Filipino Canadians in Ontario, was held at 12:00 noon. The ceremony was made more memorable with the Philippine Madrigal Singers singing the Philippine and Canadian national anthems. The Philippine Madrigal Singers are currently on a Canada-wide concert tour.

A program was held inside the Legislative Assembly building which was attended by Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner representing Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Speaker Ted Arnott, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho, Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Jill Andrew and Andrea Hazell, members of the Consular Corps, and representatives of different FILCOM groups. The Philippine Madrigal Singers were invited to perform a couple of Filipino songs, receiving resounding applause from the audience.

Noting that the Philippines and Canada are also celebrating the 75th year anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, Consul General Angelica Escalona underscored the importance of the Filipino diaspora in the growth of the relationship between the two countries. Likewise, Solicitor General Kerzner acknowledged the significant contributions of the Filipino diaspora to the Province of Ontario. “The Filipino community has taken its rightful place on the metaphoric quilt of Ontario. You have become leaders in medicine, academia, business, law – and you have made a difference. You have been our strength when we needed it most”, Solicitor General Kerzner said.

Since the start of June, flag raising ceremonies and Philippine Independence Day/Filipino Heritage Month celebrations have been organized by the FilCom in the different cities, municipalities and sites in Ontario. These include Earl Bales Park in Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener, Durham, Vaughan, Markham and Brampton. END

With the members of the Filipino community at the Toronto City Hall

Toronto city Councillor Brad Bradford giving his remarks

The Philippine Madrigal Singers leading the singing of the Philippine national anthem at the Ontario Legislative Assembly

Unfurling of the Philippine flag with the Filipino community and Members of Provincial Parliament in front of the Ontario Legislative Assembly

Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner giving his remarks

(Left to right) Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Andrea Hazel, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho, Ms. Monina Lim- Serano, President of the Federation of Filipino Canadians in Ontario, Consul General Angelica Escalona, Solicitor General Kerzner, MPP Jill Andrew, Speaker Ted Arnott, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate and Consul Mary Grace Villamayor during the ceremonial cutting of the cake

Solicitor General Kerzner, with Consul General Escalona and Minister Cho, presents a scroll, in recognition of the contributions of Filipinos to the Province of Ontario to the Federation of Filipino Canadians in Ontario represented by Ms. Lim-Serrano

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  Niagara Falls illuminated in the colors of the Philippine flag

13 June 2024, Niagara Falls – Niagara Falls was illuminated in colors of the Philippine flag to commemorate the 126th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations.

Niagara Falls was illuminated with vibrant blue, red and white for half an hour, which was followed by a fireworks display. The special illumination was made possible through the support of the City of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Parks Commission and the Filipino community.

Prior to the illumination, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto held a reception for the Filipino community and officials of the Niagara region. Among the guests who attended the reception were Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism Michael Ford representing Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, Members of the Provincial Parliament Wayne Gates and Jennie Stevens, Niagara Regional Councillors Joyce Morocco and Sal Sorento, Niagara Falls Councillor Mona Patel, Mr. Steve Barnhart of the Niagara Parks Commission, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia Dyah Lestari Asmarani and members of the Filipino community.

In her welcome remarks, Consul General Angelica Escalona said that it was the first time for the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto to hold the reception for the celebration of Philippine Independence in Niagara Falls. Noting that Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was able to view Niagara Falls from the Canadian side, she said that Filipinos are honored that a Rizal monument will be built overlooking the Falls.

Minister Ford, for his part, emphasized the important contributions of Filipinos to the Province of Ontario. “Ontario is proud to be home to the largest Filipino community in Canada, who for decades have been central to the multicultural identity of our province”, Minister Ford said. END

Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism Michael Ford giving his remarks during the reception (Left to right) Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, Consul General Angelica Escalona and Minister Ford during the ceremonial cutting of the cake (Left to right) Mr. Renato Aoanan of the Filipino-Canadian Association in Niagara (FCAN), Members of the Ontario Provincial Parliament (MPP) Jennie Stevens and Wayne Gates, Mayor Diodati, Mr. Rod Cuizon of FCAN, Mr. Steve Barnhart of the Niagara Parks Commission, Consul General Escalona, Minister Ford, Niagara Regional Councillor Sal Sorento, Ms. Eileen Tinio-Hind of FCAN, Niagara Falls Councillor Mona Patel, Regional Councillor Joyce Morocco and Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate Consul General Escalona with members of the Filipino community Officers and staff of the Pilippine Consulate General in Toronto and attached agencies in front of the illuminated Niagara Falls

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  Personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Consul General Angelica C. Escalona with His Grace, Most Reverend Francis Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto, and Filipino and Filipino-Canadian priests and deacons assigned in various Catholic churches in Toronto (photo courtesy of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilanica)

04 June 2024, Toronto - A thanksgiving mass was held at the St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in Toronto to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations. The principal celebrant for the mass was the Most Reverend Francis Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto. The mass was made more memorable with six Filipino and Filipino-Canadian priests and deacons concelebrating and assisting, namely Father Jeremias Inoc, Father Matthew McCarthy, Father Lorenzo Salandanan, Father Manuel Duterte, Deacon Norbert Aquino and Deacon Joel Bangalan.

The mass was attended by personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Consul General Angelica C. Escalona and more than 200 members of the Filipino community.

In his homily, Archbishop Leo highlighted the positive values of the Filipino community, particularly kindness, goodness of heart, faith and importance of family, which have enriched Canadian society. “How blessed we are to have such a multicultural community, where the Filipino community is in great numbers and have been a blessing,” said the Archbishop.

Noting the 75h anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Canada, the Archbishop also emphasized the importance of relationships between countries, communities and families to benefit moral, emotional, spiritual and religious growth.

In her message, Consul General Escalona highlighted the important role of the Catholic Church in the migration story of Filipinos in Canada, noting that the Church has served as an anchor for Filipinos from the time they arrive in Canada and even after they have settled in the country.

The mass was in time for the celebration of Filipino Heritage Month in Canada. The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto will be conducting a number of activities, some in collaboration with the Filipino community, in the coming months to mark the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations. END

Members of the Philippine Consulate General and the Filipino community during the mass (photo courtesy of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica)

The Filipino community with Consul General Escalona and the Most Reverend Archbishop Francis Leo (photo courtesy of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica)

The Most Reverend Archbishop Francis Leo leading the celebration of the mass (photo courtesy of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica)