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29 August 2023 – Philippine Consul General in Toronto Angelica C. Escalona, joined by Philippine Honorary Consul in Winnipeg Ronaldo Opina, called on Ms. Lezlee Dunn, Assistant Deputy Minister, Intergovernmental Affairs, Government of Manitoba. They discussed the status of Manitoba Province’s hiring of more than 300 Filipino nurses, the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the recruitment of healthcare professionals, and the promotion of trade and investment between the Philippines and Manitoba. Photo shows (left to right) Senior Analyst John Simba, Assistant Deputy Minister Dunn, Consul General Escalona, Honorary Consul Opina, and Senior Policy Analyst Sean Hogan.

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Dual citizenship applicants taking their oath to re-acquire their Philippine citizenship

28 August 2023, Winnipeg – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto conducted its third consular outreach mission to Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 26-27 at the Holiday Inn Express Winnipeg Airport.

During the outreach, a total of 725 services were rendered: 240 Philippine passports were renewed, 221 documents were consularized, 3 NBI Clearance applications were processed, and 13 civil registry reports and 17 dual citizenship applications were accepted.

In addition, there were 149 former Filipinos and their dependents who took their oath to re-acquire their Filipino citizenship under Republic Act 9225.

As registration is ongoing for qualified Filipino voters, 82 overseas voters were processed for registration and correction of entries in their records.

The outreach to Winnipeg was the first for Consul General Angelica C. Escalona, who took the opportunity to introduce herself to the community and officials of Manitoba.

The outreach was also an opportunity for the Consulate to promote the Winter Escapade, the annual tour to the Philippines organized by the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in Canada, with the support of the Department of Tourism. Tourism Attaché Francisco Lardizabal was present to encourage consular clients to join the tour.

Many of the Consulate’s clients expressed their thanks for the Consulate’s efforts and cited the ease of transactions. A few expressed hopes for more outreaches in the future. The consulate outreach mission was ably supported by Honorary Consul Ronaldo Opina and his staff.

The next consular outreach mission to Winnipeg is scheduled in November 2023. END

Applicants during document and application processing

Tourism Attache Lardizabal promoting the Winter Escapade tour  

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28 August 2023 – Philippine Consul General in Toronto Angelica C. Escalona called on the Honourable Anita R. Neville, P.C., O.M., Lieutenant Governor, Province of Manitoba, at the Government House in Winnipeg. The Consul General was accompanied by Mr. Ronaldo Opina, the Philippine Honorary Consul in Winnipeg. Consul General Escalona visited Manitoba for the first time, leading a consular outreach mission in Winnipeg on 26-27 August 2023. She appreciated the warm welcome extended by the Lieutenant Governor as well as the opportunity to talk with the Lieutenant Governor about Manitoba, Philippines-Canada relations, and the Filipino community in the province.

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Consul General Angelica C. Escalona with MP Kevin Lamourreux (right) and Philippine Honorary Consul in Winnipeg Ronaldo V. Opina (left)

Toronto, 26 August 2023- The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) New York co-hosted the Winnipeg launch of the Winter Escapade 8 on 26 August 2023, alongside the Consulate’s consular outreach mission at the Holiday Inn Winnipeg Airport.

The launch was organized with the assistance of the Philippine Honorary Consul in Winnipeg, Mr. Ronaldo V. Opina.

The Winter Escapade is a tourism promotion program of all Philippine Foreign Service Posts in Canada designed to take visitors to new destinations and attractions in the Philippines. The Winter Escapade 8 will take visitors to Manila, Iloilo, Cebu and Bohol from 18 to 27 February 2024.

Consul General Angelica C. Escalona welcomed close to 50 guests who attended the launch including Member of Parliament Kevin Lamoureux, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba Cindy Lamoureux, and members of the Filipino community.

The Consul General said, “The Winter Escapade is probably the best tour package to the Philippines. It will take you to top tourism destinations and offer unique experiences not available in usual tours. It will be a journey from the heart of Canada to the heart of the Philippines.”

DOT New York Attaché Francisco Lardizabal presented the detailed itinerary of Winter Escapade 8. He noted that the Winter Escapade is the best way to take a break from the cold winter weather in Canada. According to Mr. Lardizabal, the upcoming Winter Escapade “has everything – natural wonders, good food, history, culture, shopping, and entertainment.”

The Winter Escapade launch was capped by a performance of Filipino songs by the Musica Singers of the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba. (END)

Consul General Angelica C. Escalona and Honorary Consul Ronaldo V. Opina with the Filipino community in Winnipeg

Mr. and Mrs. Arsenio Bernardo and Ms. Rose Balbuena sharing their respective experiences of Winter Escapade tour.

  Consul General Angelica C. Escalona, Honorary Consul Ronaldo V. Opina and DOT New York Attache Francisco Lardizabal with the Filipino community at the Winnipeg Launch of Winter Escapade 8