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PR-2021-30

28 June 2021 – A Filipino Heritage Month (FHM) virtual celebration was organized and hosted by Member of Parliament Hon. Robert Oliphant, MP for Don Valley West and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on 25 June 2021.

Filipino Canadian Ms. Susan Llanera coordinated the event which celebrated the invaluable contributions of the Filipino Canadian community to Canada. MP Oliphant recognized the tremendous contributions of Filipino Canadians to Canada. He said that Filipino Canadians are Canada’s friends, loved ones, and COVID-19 heroes. MP Ya’ara Saks (York Centre) and MP Carolyn Bennett (Toronto-St. Paul’s) also shared their special greetings on the third annual Filipino Heritage Month to the Filipino Canadian Community during the virtual event.

Consul General Orontes V. Castro joined the celebration via Zoom. His pre-recorded message to the Filipino Community of Don valley West was also shown during the event. He shared during his message the recently approved Bill No. 217 authored by Member of Provincial Parliament Doly Begum declaring June every year as Filipino heritage Month in the province of Ontario. He also mentioned that the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) passed a Proclamation declaring the celebration of June every year as Filipino Heritage Month in all DPCDSB-run schools.

Filipino Canadian talents provided entertainment numbers - dance, songs, including the finale number by a Canadian Boys’ Choir with their rendition of “Bayan Ko” – were presented during the show. There was also cheese pandesal baking demonstration, as well as a Tribute to Frontline Workers at the Mother/Baby Unit of the Humber River Hospital. – END

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PR-2021-28

25 June 2021 – A Virtual Celebration of Filipino Heritage Month (FHM) organized by the Office of Member of Parliament Honourable Salma Zahid and coordinated by Filipino Canadian Mr. Nestor Arellano, Constituency Assistant at the House of Commons, was held on 18 June 2021.

Consul General Orontes V. Castro joined the celebration via Zoom and delivered his message to the Filipino Community. He mentioned that the celebrations in June of FHM and the 123rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day are opportunities to commemorate and be thankful to the priceless gift of freedom that our ancestors and heroes gave us. He thanked the many Filipino frontline and essential workers who have equally offered their lives to care for and save people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also thanked MP Zahid for authoring the Motion and for assisting his fellow Filipinos in her riding.

Members of the Filipino Canadian community who are under MP Zahid’s constituency likewise attended the virtual event. Everyone conveyed their respective messages and mentioned the significance of the FHM celebration.

MP Zahid, representing more than 14,000 Filipinos in her riding at Scarborough Centre in Ontario, was the author of Motion No. 155 declaring June every year as Filipino Heritage Month across Canada, from coast to coast to coast. The Motion was approved on 30 October 2018 during the 1st Session of the 42nd Parliament.

MP Zahid praised the Filipino Canadian community because she saw that their spirits were not dampened because of the pandemic. The community persevered in celebrating Filipino Heritage Month in alternative ways and continued their mission of showcasing the rich culture and heritage of the Philippines and promoting awareness of the Filipino Canadian origin. - END

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PR-2021-29

28 June 2021, Toronto, Canada. – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto celebrated the 2021 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) during its flag-raising ceremony held today, 28 June 2021.

Immediately after the flag-raising and Panunumpa sa Watawat ceremonies and recitation of the DFA Foreign Policy, Consul General Orontes V. Castro gave brief remarks on the significance of the occasion. The Consulate General had a banner especially made for the occasion, which was prominently displayed in the Consulate’s Consular area and posted in its official website and Facebook page. This year’s theme, “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives”, highlights the importance of communicating truthful information on drugs to save the people from its dangers.

The Dangerous Drugs Board of the Philippines is spearheading the annual observance of this activity, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 264, declaring every 26th of June as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. -END

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