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PCG TORONTO CELEBRATES BUWAN NG WIKANG PAMBANSA WITH READING OF FILIPINO LITERATURE 

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19 August 2022, Toronto – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto celebrated the Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa (National Language Month) with the theme “Filipino at mga Katutubong Wika: Kasangkapan sa Pagtuklas at Paglikhâ” through the reading of excerpts from selected Filipino literature.

The literature included Sa Aking Mga Kababata of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa of Andres Bonfiacio, Dekalogo of Apolinario Mabini, Florante at Laura of Francisco Balagtas, Bayan Ko of Jose Corazon De Jesus, Ang Kanyang Mga Mata of Clodualdo del Mundo and Ang Awit Ni Maria Clara (from Noli Me Tangere) also of Dr. Rizal. Readers included the dependent children of the officers and staff of the Consulate and a passport applicant.

Consul General Orontes V. Castro, in his opening remarks, gave a brief background and importance of the celebration of Buwan ng Wika. He further explained the significance to Philippine history and culture of each literature read. Consul General Castro said: “I encourage you to live out the messages of the literature read today and celebrate the National Language Month not just for one month but in our everyday lives.”

Aside from personnel of the Consulate General, consular clients attended the short program. END PHOTO RELEASE

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Toronto PCG Provides Consular Services to Overseas Filipinos  in the City of Winnipeg

Toronto, 13 July 2022 – The officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Consul General Orontes V. Castro conducted consular outreach mission to Overseas Filipinos in the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba from 9 to 12 July 2022 at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, Winnipeg Airport. The Consulate General provided passport, dual citizenship, civil registry and notarial services to 1,344 Overseas Filipinos.

Of the 1,344 Overseas Filipinos, the consular team also assisted 152 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from the Hylife Foods, Neepawa and those from the Pembina Valley.

Consul General Castro also met with the Knights of Rizal-Western Canada Area and the other representatives of Filipino Community organizations (i.e., Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba, Inc. and Friends of Filipino Immigrants in Manitoba) to discuss the Consulate General’s programs and the KOR’s activities in promoting the ideals and teachings of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Among those who attended the meeting were Consul (honorary) Ronaldo Opina of the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Winnipeg, Sir Felino de Jesus (Interim Western Canada Area Commander), Sir Mike Pagtakhan (former Deputy Mayor and Councillor of the City of Winnipeg), Sir Mohamed Alli (Chapter Commander), Sir Art Domingo (Treasurer), Sir Ray Sator, Sir Eliseo Mones, Sir Kenn and Mrs. Babe Green, Ms. Joanne Viviezca (PFIM), and Ms. Perla Javate (PHCM). END-

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New Philippine Trade Commissioner Benedict Uy and Member of Parliament Scott Aitchison Meets with Consul General Orontes V. Castro

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18 August 2022, Toronto – The new Trade Commissioner of the Philippines to Canada Benedict Uy visited and met with Consul General Orontes V. Castro at the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto on 22 February 2022. He was accompanied by former Senior Trade Commissioner Maria Roseni Alvero, who retired from the service on 2 March 2022.

A Canadian government official from the Conservative Party of Ontario, Honourable Scott Aitchison, Member of Parliament (MP) for Parry Sound-Muskoka, Ontario, also joined the meeting. He commented that the Filipino Community is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada and wants to get acquainted with them, as well as to partner with the Philippine Consulate General on possible programs for the community in the Province.

Consul General Castro reiterate the request of Philippine Posts in Canada for the recognition of the credentials of Filipino professionals in the country and relayed to MP Aitchison that assistance is needed so Filipinos, especially the nurses in Ontario, can practice their profession in the country.

The meeting, which was covered by OMNI News, was an avenue for the Canadian official to consult on possible projects for the growing Filipino Canadian community, and for the Consulate General to further discussions on how to facilitate the recognition of credentials of internationally educated Filipino nurses and other Filipino professionals so they can practice their profession in Canada. OMNI-Filipino’s media coverage can be accessed from their Facebook page through this link: https://www.facebook.com/OMNIFilipino/videos/533269818025259/. - END

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30 November 2021, Toronto – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Consul General Orontes V. Castro celebrated Bonifacio Day with an event with the Filipino community at the Kalayaan Community Center in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The Guest of Honor during the event was The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario.

The event, which was co-hosted by the Ontario’s Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, was attended by around 100 Filipino community and business leaders. Officials from the Premier’s Office were also in attendance including the Honourable Pharm Gill, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism; and the Honourable Deepak Anand, Member of the Provincial Parliament and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Training, and Skills Development of Ontario.

Before the start of the program, Premier Ford and Consul General Castro had a bilateral meeting during which they discussed the strong relations between the Philippines and the Province of Ontario, and the vital contribution of Filipinos to the province of Ontario.

After the bilateral meeting, Consul General Castro also presented to the Premier the student winners, together with their parents, of the Sentro Rizal Toronto-Philippine Consulate General Toronto’s Padayon Art Competition titled “Paghilom at Pag-asa Mula sa Pandemya.” The Premier was delighted and amazed with the artworks and the student winners, with 111 artworks submission from elementary and secondary students from the City of Toronto, Ontario.

During the program proper, Consul General Castro noted in his remarks the expansion of Filipino-owned businesses in Ontario, particularly Jollibee and Seafood City, even during the pandemic; and the increasing role of Filipino-Canadians in politics, noting the recent election of Honourable Rechie Valdez in the Canadian Parliament. He further echoed H.E. President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s call to Filipinos to emulate Bonifacio’s strong sense of civic duty.

The Premier, in his remarks, thanked the Filipino community for their contribution to the province. He made special mention on the vital role of Filipino-Canadian health care workers during the pandemic. He expressed optimism that the Philippines and Ontario will continue to have a great relationship. “As hundreds of thousands of Filipino immigrants and their descendants have found opportunity here in Ontario…and we are grateful for all they have contributed to our province,” said the Premier.

As the highlight of the program Consul General Castro presented the Premier with a Quincentennial Award in recognition of his leadership and support to the Filipino community and the Philippine Consulate General, especially during the pandemic. Ms. Judy Montenegro, Vice President of the Kalayaan Community Center, was the emcee of the Program. END-

Consul General Orontes V. Castro presented to Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, the student-winners of the Sentro Rizal Toronto-Philippine Consulate General Toronto’s Padayon Art Competition titled “Paghilom at Pag-asa Mula sa Pandemya.”