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 PR-2022-10

Toronto, 21 March – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto jointly held with the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and the Philippine Consulates General in Calgary and Vancouver, with the support of the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT)- San Francisco Office, the launching and press conference of the Filipino Restaurant Month (FRM) 2022 on 21 March 2022, Monday, at 5 PM (Calgary) / 7PM (Toronto) / 6PM (Manitoba).

The FRM 2022 launching was a hybrid event with the in-person program held at the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary, while the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver live-streamed their participation and activities into the program in Calgary.

In the delivery of his message during the livestreamed program, Consul General Orontes Castro proudly presented to the viewers in Canada the very best of Filipino cuisine, Filipino chefs and Filipino restaurants in Ontario and Manitoba.

FILIPINO RESTAURANT MONTH
Consul General Orontes Castro presenting to the media and livestream audience the prix fixe offerings of the nine (9) FRM 2022 participating restaurants in Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

The FRM 2022 participating restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) were invited to bring a sample of their pre fixe dishes to the Philippine Consulate General in 160 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, so that all their available pre fixe dishes can be introduced and viewed on the digital platform during the livestreamed event, as well as by the media present at the Consulate. During the livestream, Consul General Castro introduced all ten (10) participating restaurants in the jurisdiction of Ontario and Manitoba under the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto --- B’s Sizzling Kitchen in Etobicoke, represented by Ms. Nancy Napoles; Casa Manila in York Mills Road, with Ms. Medi representing Ms. Mila Nabor Cuachon; FV Foods in Scarborough, represented by Mr. Melchor Galeon; Islas Filipino BBQ & Bar in Toronto, represented by Ms. Mariel and Mr. Mark Buenaventura; Kanto by Tita Flips in Toronto, represented by Ms. Diona Joyce; Lechon Republik in Toronto, represented by Ms. Carol Opiniano; MB The Place To Be in North York, represented by Mr. Michael Cruz; Republika Restobar and Grill in North York, represented by Ms. Jannie Luz-Benico; Wilson’s Haus of Lechon in North York, represented by Ms. Jaeybee Martinito; and FoodTrip Kitchen in Winnipeg, represented online by Ms. Lourdes Federis. The owners, chefs and representatives of FRM 2022’s participating restaurants in Toronto were each able to give an introduction of their restaurant and prix fixe dishes before the media present at the Consulate. The media present also conducted individual interviews with the participating chefs, restaurant owners, and the Consul General. They took videos and photos of the prix fixe offerings of each participating restaurant and were invited to sample all the dishes prepared. END--

FILIPINO RESTAURANT MONTH
(L-R) Ms. Carol Opiniano of Lechon Republik, Ms. Diona Joyce of Kanto by Tita Flips, Mr. Mark Buenaventura of Islas Filipino BBQ & Bar, Ms. Nancy Napoles of B’s Sizzling Kitchen, Consul General Orontes Castro, Mr. Melchor Galeon of FV Foods, Mr. Michael Cruz of MB The Place To Be, Ms. Jaeybee Martinito of Wilson’s Haus of Lechon, Ms. Jannie Luz-Benico of Republika Restobar and Grill and Consul Grace Villamayor.

17 March 2022, Toronto – A Joint Communique was signed between the Philippines and the Province of Ontario signifying the intent of both sides to explore the possibility of entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on labor cooperation. The Joint Communique was signed by Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III and Ontario Labor Minister Monte McNaughton at the Legislative Building in Queens Park, City of Toronto.

Prior to the signing of the Joint Communique, Secretary Bello and Minister McNaughton had a brief bilateral meeting during which they discussed matters of mutual concerns. A round table discussion followed the meeting which was attended by representatives from Filipino Canadian professional and business groups. In attendance were representatives from the nurses, personal support worker, engineers, accountants, architects, teachers and the Philippine Airlines (PAL).

Secretary Bello conveyed his appreciation for the opportunities provided by the Province of Ontario to Filipino workers. He expressed optimism that the MOU will be signed soon to further facilitate a mutually beneficial arrangement on the deployment and hiring of Filipino workers. For his part, Minister McNaughton conveyed appreciation for the contribution of Filipino workers on the development not just to the Province of Ontario, but the whole of Canada. He also expressed optimism on signing of an MOU soon noting that immigration is a key tool to strengthening economic development for the Province of Ontario.

During the roundtable discussion, representatives of the Filipino professional and business groups expressed appreciation for the Province of Ontario’s programs which facilitates their integration into province’s workforce, including the accreditation of their work experience and education. They also expressed their commitment to continue to contribute to the Province of Ontario.

Accompanying Secretary Bello during the meeting and signing of the Joint Communique were Ambassador Rodolfo Robles of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, Consul General Orontes V. Castro, Madame Regina Bello, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Assistant Secretary Alice Q. Visperas, Consul Rodney Jonas L. Sumague and Labor Attaché Attorney Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo.

Secretary Bello was in Toronto for a Command Conference with Philippine Labor Attaches and Welfare Officers based in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. He also visited Filipino workers in Conestoga Meat (pork processor) and Linamar Corporation (autoparts manufacturer), both in the City of Guelph on 15 March 2022. END

SECRETARY BELLO III
Honorable Silvestre H. Bello III, Philippine Secretary of Labor, and Honourable Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development of the Province of Ontario, signing the Joint Communique’ on Labor Cooperation on 17 March 2022 at the Legislative Assembly Building, Queen’s Park, City of Toronto, Ontario.
SECRETARY BELLO III
The signing of the Joint Communique was also witnessed by Ambassador Rodolfo D. Robles, Consul General Orontes V. Castro, Madame Regina Bello, OWWA Administrator Hans J. Cacdac, Assistant Secretary Alice Q. Visperas, Labor Attache Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo; and Joshua Workman, Benjamin Lamb, and Kara Rawson, Chief of Staff, Senior Manager, and Chief of Protocol, respectively, of the Province of Ontario.
SECRETARY BELLO III
The exchange of gifts between Honorable Silvestre H. Bello III, Philippine Secretary of Labor, and Honourable Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development of the Province of Ontario, on 17 March 2022 at the Legislative Assembly Building, Queen’s Park, City of Toronto, Ontario
SECRETARY BELLO III
(Seated L-R) Photo taken during the DOLE Command Conference in Toronto with Labor Attache Jainal Rasul Jr., OSHC Executive Director Noel C. Binag, Assistant Secretary Alice Q. Visperas, OWWA Administrator Hans J. Cacdac, Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, Ambassador Rodolfo D. Robles, Madame Nora Robles, Consul General Orontes V. Castro, and Labor Attache Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo together with the Labor Attaches and Welfare Officers from the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific
SECRETARY BELLO III
DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Jim Jarrell, President and COO of Linamar Corporation which employs Filipino workers in the City of Guelph, Ontario.
SECRETARY BELLO III
Meeting of Secretary H. Bello III and his delegation with Mr. Jim Jarrell, President and COO of Linamar Corporation, and other senior officials and Filipino employees of the company during the on-site visit on 15 March 2022 in the City of Guelph, Ontario
SECRETARY BELLO III
The Philippine National Flag was flown with the Canada Flag in front of the Conestoga Meats as a welcome gesture to the DOLE Delegation led by Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III during their on-site visit to the company on 15 March 2022 in the City of Guelph, Ontario.
SECRETARY BELLO III
DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III and his delegation met with the senior officials of Conestoga Meats and the Filipino employees during their on-site visit to the company on 15 March 2022 in the City of Guelph, Ontario.
SECRETARY BELLO III
DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III met with the Filipino employees and senior officials of Conestoga Meats during the on-site visit to the company on 15 March 2022 in the City of Guelph, Ontario.

 

Please watch the Filipino Making WAves - In Touch. Guest: Hon. Orontes V. Castro, Consul Generel Philippine Consulate General in Toronto. https://www.facebook.com/placatv/videos/299685818925815/

 FILIPINO RESTAURANT MONTH

 FILIPIMO RESTAURANT MONTH FILIPIMO RESTAURANT MONTH FILIPIMO RESTAURANT MONTH

  1. Member of Provincial Parliament Sheref Sabawy Meets with Consul General Orontes V. Castro
  2. TORONTO PCG Congratulates Filipino Canadian Registered Nurse Edsel L. Mutia who was Elected as Council Member for Metro Toronto of the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
  3. PCG Toronto Presents a Webinar on Kundiman, the Philippine National Art Song
  4. PCG TORONTO KICKS OFF 2022 NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH AND INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION FOR MARCH
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