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  Clients avail of the various services provided during the outreach

01-02 June 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto conducted the first – ever Consular Outreach Mission to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, delivering passport, consularization, civil registry, dual citizenship and overseas voting services to kababayans in the city and surrounding areas.

The Consulate’s mission team was joined by MWO-Toronto, OWWA and SSS-Toronto, who provided services to the overseas Filipinos and SSS members in the area.

On 02 July 2024, the Consulate team, headed by Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate, held a flag-raising ceremony to commemorate Philippine Independence Day and Filipino Heritage Month in Canada. The ceremony was immediately followed by a community forum and Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar. DCG Tate expounded on the mission and functions of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, and also gave information on the Consulate’s services, as well as the actions to do in case of urgent or emergency cases for Filipinos in distress.

The representatives of MWO, OWWA and SSS Toronto offices also gave presentations on the scope of the services they provide to Filipinos abroad.

The forum was capped by a talk by Mr. Ryan Maruquez, a Filipino working for the Sault Community Career Center, a non-profit organization that assists with employment, housing and other related concerns of migrants.

Many of the Filipinos who attended were emotional during the flag raising, which was also a first for the community. At the end of the program, the participants expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the Consulate team. “Malaking tulong po ito sa amin, na hindi naming kailangang pumunta sa Toronto, para magawa ang aming kailangang dokumento”, one of the clients said. END

Filipino community members singing the Philippine national anthem during the flag raising ceremony celebrating Philippine Independence Day and Filipino Heritage Month The capacity crowd listens intently at the presentations being made by the speakers during the community forum

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Participants and resource speakers with Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop (third from right, front row), Consul General Angelica Escalona (fourth from right) and UPAAT President Agnes Manasan (2nd from right) (photo courtesy of Seneca FILCOM/Vivid Curiosity Productions)

Toronto, 11 May 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Toronto (UPAAT), hosted a Filipino International Students Convention in Ontario at the Novotel Toronto North York Hotel. The Convention was supported by the Catholic Community Services of York Region (CCSYR), a non-profit social services agency, and two Filipino international students’ organizations, Seneca Filipino Community (FILCOM) and Niagara College Toronto Filipino Club.

The Convention was intended to provide Filipino international students in Ontario with information vital to improving their experience of studying in Canada. The resource persons included representatives from non-profit groups, professional organizations, government and the private sector. They discussed a broad range of topics covering recent immigration policies, settlement services, health and wellness, financial literacy, income tax filing, community safety, employment opportunities and consular services of the Philippine Consulate General and its attached agencies.

During her welcome remarks, Consul General Escalona gave encouragement to the international students by likening them to Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, who also faced hardships while studying abroad but persevered to achieve his dreams.

Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop acknowledged the important role of international students in fostering prosperity in the province. She conveyed the Ontario government’s commitment to provide the resources and support needed by international students for their success. “We want students to have a positive and rewarding experience when they come to Ontario. Our home is their home,” Minister Dunlop said.

In a special message, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria conveyed the readiness of the Philippine government to assist Filipino international students. She emphasized the importance of continuing to love the Philippines and working together to promote the welfare and interests of Filipinos in Canada.

The Convention also provided an opportunity for Filipino International students to network with other students, the resource persons and representatives of community groups that were present.

The participants expressed appreciation for the information and connections they gained from the Convention. “Malaking tulong ito lalung-lalo na para sa amin na bagong dating dito sa Canada dahil sobrang laki ng pagbabago kumpara sa Pilipinas,” said one of the students.

Around 170 Filipino international students from different colleges and universities in Ontario attended the Convention. END

Ambassador Austria, Consul General Escalona, Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague and UPAAT President Manasan (seated) with volunteers from Seneca FILCOM and Niagara College Toronto Filipino Club

Constable Don Laurel of the Toronto Police Service discussing community safety

An international student asking a question during the open forum. (photo courtesy of Seneca FILCOM/Vivid Curiosity Productions)

Some of the information booths during the Convention

Minister Dunlop, Consul General Escalona and UPAAT President Manasan (center) with the resource persons  

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Clients avail of the different services provided during the outreach.

25 May 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto conducted the first of its five special one-day consular outreach for the year 2024 in Kitchener, Ontario. The Consulate’s outreach team provided consular services to 134 applicants who availed of services for ePassport, notarization of documents, civil registry submission, dual citizenship application and overseas voting registration.

The Social Security Services (SSS)-Toronto also provided services to its members during the special outreach.

The Filipino-Canadian Association of Kitchener-Waterloo supported the outreach.

The Philippine Consulate General conducts special consular outreach in areas outside Toronto with a high concentration of Filipinos to reach out and provide services to the most number of Filipinos. “Salamat at meron ganitong outreach activities. Malaking tulong sa amin na malayo sa Toronto,” said one of the clients.

The special consular outreach will be conducted in Mississauga, Durham, Orangeville and Barrie in the next few months. The public is advised to monitor the Philippine Consulate General’s website and Facebook page for the specific schedule in each area. END

Dual Citizenship applicants and other clients singing the Philippine national anthem as part of the oath taking ceremony for the reacquisition of Filipino citizenship 

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Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo (center) with Provost and Vice President for Academic Lisa Philipps (8th from left), Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria (8th from right), Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga (6th from left), Consul General Angelica Escalona (7th from right) and other York University officials and professors at the university grounds (photo courtesy of York University)

Toronto, 10 May 2024 - Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo met with officials of York University led by Provost and Vice President for Academic Lisa Philipps at the University’s Kaneff Tower. York Officials conveyed the university’s gratitude for the Php5,000,000.00 (around CAD$116,000.00) donation of the Philippine government in 2022 for the implementation of programs and projects on Philippine studies.

York officials also briefed Secretary Manalo on the various engagements of the university and individual professors with Philippine institutions on subjects related to education and research. Provost Philipps noted the flourishing activities between Philippine institutions and York University and the possibility to further expand these collaborations.

Secretary Manalo conveyed his appreciation for the strong ties between York university and the Philippines and expressed his support to further strengthen these linkages, including the institutionalization of a Philippine studies program at the university. END

Secretary Manalo with Provost Philipps (photo courtesy of York University)