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Consul General Angelica C. Escalona giving her welcome remarks during the forum

03 February 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto partnered with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Toronto (UPAAT) on a forum on housing options for newcomers and international students.

Consul General Angelica Escalona noted that housing has become a serious concern for Filipino international students and newcomers as they juggle adjusting to life in Canada, their studies, work and looking after the needs of their families. She added that, the Consulate General is closely working with Canadian officials, non-profit groups, the Filipino community and Filipino student groups to help address the concerns of international students.

In a recorded video message for the forum, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow emphasized that housing is a top priority of her administration, which has plans for building 65,000 affordable rent-controlled homes and is improving protections for renters. “In recent years, many Toronto homes are becoming more and more expensive. The city is working hard to keep people housed,” Mayor Chow remarked.

Other speakers during the forum include Toronto City Councillor Alejandra Bravo, who is the Chair of the Economic Development Committee and participated online via Zoom. She highlighted the importance of the involvement of the community in conveying to the city government their concerns and recommended solutions. Participants and speakers during the forum

Resource speakers Ms. Stella Zuidervliet and Mr. Ivan Guarin of the non-profit Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA) presented an overview of the challenges encountered by newcomers and available support programs for housing.

Mr. Steven Li of the Community Legal Clinic of York Region discussed the rights and responsibilities of tenants under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).

Mr. Yuri Ching, a realtor, explained the process of buying a home in Canada and available support programs that may help newcomers.

The forum participants agreed on the need for continued dialogue among stakeholders to address the housing concerns of newcomers and international students.

Around 50 participants attended the forum, which is the second in a series of workshops organized by the Consulate General and UPAAT to help address concerns of the Filipino community. END

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The Philippine Heritage Band performing at the Toronto Raptors Filipino Heritage Night at the Scotiabank Arena

26 January 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Consul General Angelica C. Escalona joined kababayans at the first Filipino Heritage Night hosted by the Toronto Raptors. Held at the Scotiabank Arena, the home of the Raptors, the event was an opportunity to shine a light on the Filipino community. There are now more than one million Filipinos who live, work and study in Canada.

The Filipino Heritage Night saw the Toronto Raptors playing against the Los Angeles Clippers to a capacity crowd. Authentic Filipino dishes were offered at the food concessions in the concourse. Among the Filipino musical artists featured were Edmark Dalmacio who sang the national anthems of the two teams, the Philippine Heritage Band, and Juno award winning artist Preston Pablo who performed at half-time.

Consul General Escalona said, “It is wonderful to see many kababayans here tonight. Filipinos love basketball, and we love the Raptors”. The Consul General noted that the Philippines initiated a World Basketball Day resolution at the United Nations General Assembly. Adopted in August 2023, the resolution proclaimed December 21 as World Basketball Day in recognition of basketball’s global popularity and its ability to promote peace, empowerment and health. END

Filipino Heritage Night banner at the Scotiabank Arena monitor Toronto Raptors versus LA Clippers in action Preston Pablo performing at half-time Consul General Angelica Escalona with Cultural Officer Maricel Samonte, Finance Officer Cristopher Baguya and Protocol Officer John Fajardo

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(Left photo) Consul General Angelica C. Escalona with DTI Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Carolina P. Sanchez; (Right photo, L-R) Philippine Trade Commissioner Benedict Uy, MEDA Senior Vice President Lindsay Wallace, Consul General Angelica Escalona, Undersecretary Carol Sanchez, DTI Director Maria Guiza Lim and Consul Mary Grace Villamayor take a commemorative photo

01 February 2024 – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Carol P. Sanchez, together with DTI Director Maria Guiza Lim and Philippine Trade and Investment Center-New York Trade Commissioner Benedict Uy, met officials of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Consul General Angelica C. Escalona to discuss the Philippine economic promotion thrusts in Canada.

North America continues to be market for Philippine IT-BPO services as well as electronics and semiconductors. The Philippines sees the aerospace industry, creative industries and AI technology as potentially beneficial areas of cooperation with Canada. The Philippines is also looking to attract investments from Canada, particularly for infrastructure.

Undersecretary Sanchez and the DTI and Philippine Consulate officials later met with Ms. Lindsay Wallace, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Impact of the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), a non-government organization working with small-scale cacao farmers in Mindanao to develop sustainable agri-food systems.

For more information on MEDA’s project in Mindanao, please visit https://www.meda.org/country/philippines/. END

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1 January 2024 – Consul General Angelica Escalona conveyed new year greetings to the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, during the Lieutenant Governor’s 2024 New Year’s Levee held at Queens Park. The Consul General also sought the Lieutenant Governor’s support on the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations this year.