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PR 31 - 2020

09 July 2020 Toronto, Ontario – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto officials, led by Consul General Orontes Castro, paid tribute to two prominent Filipino-Canadians who made significant contributions in promoting Filipino culture and identity in Markham City and providing assistance to Filipino nationals.
Consul General Castro presented certificates of appreciation to Mr. Ignacio “Mogi” Mogado, sculptor, and to former Markham City Councillor Alex Chiu, at a ceremony held in Mr. Chiu’s residence in Markham City on 26 June 2020. Mr. Mogado created the six feet tall, bronze statue of Dr. Rizal, now standing at the Luneta Gardens, Boxgrove Community Park in Markham City. As Councillor of Markham City for 33 years and leader of various organizations, Mr. Chiu organized and directed numerous programs and activities that made Filipinos and Filipino-Canadians proud of their heritage. He led the naming of Rizal Avenue, Manila Avenue and Luzon Avenue in Markham City, in honor of the national hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal, the Capital City of the Philippines, Manila, and the largest and most populous island in the Philippines, Luzon, respectively. Mr. Chiu was also responsible for raising funds to install the life-size statue of Dr. Rizal at the Luneta Gardens, Markham City. He also assisted in establishing a “Rainbow Center” in the City to address the concerns of Filipino household service workers as early as 1987. Messrs. Chiu and Mogado are both Knights Commander of Rizal of the Knights of Rizal (KOR) Markham Chapter.
Also in attendance at the event were Deputy Consul General Edna May Lazaro, Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza, Cultural Officer Cecile Santos, Alicia, Mr. Chiu’s wife, Cherry-Marie, Mr. Chiu’s daughter, Sir Jose “Joe” Damasco, KGOR, Regional Commander of the KOR Canada Region, Sir Jimmy Marasigan, KGOR, Adviser of KOR Canada Region, and Yolanda Ladines, President of the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians. -END

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30 June 2020 Toronto, Ontario – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto participated in Filipino Community online events of Filipino construction professionals and Filcommunity leaders in the City of Toronto on 27 and 28 June, respectively.

Consul General Orontes V. Castro was the keynote speaker to the Filipino Construction Professionals of Ontario (FilConPro) during its virtual 2020 5th Annual General Membership Meeting on 27 June 2020. The online membership meeting was organized by FilConPro, led by its President, Gerry Santullo. In his remarks, Consul General Castro recognized the contribution of the members of the organization to society as they continued to work in essential services such as construction and infrastructure projects in Canada and in the Province of Ontario despite the COVID-19 pandemic. FilConPro has been an active and reliable partner of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto in implementing programs and activities for the Overseas Filipinos within its jurisdiction. FilConPro’s mentorship program has benefited newly arrived Filipinos to adapt and settle in Canada.

The Philippine Advancement Through Arts and Culture (PATAC), on the other hand, organized the SALUDO, the 2020 Filipino Leaders Virtual Summit in Canada on 28 June 2020 to celebrate the Filipino Heritage Month. In his remarks, Consul General Castro highlighted the Filipino spirit of determination and perseverance as they venture into other alternative means of celebrating Filipino heritage despite the COVID-19 pandemic. He enjoined the participating community leaders to be partners in strengthening in every Filipino youth, especially those who are growing up as second or third-generation Filipinos in Canada, the consciousness of being a Filipino and awareness of their Philippine heritage. –END

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PR-30-2020

30 June 2020 Toronto, Ontario – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto participated in the flag raising ceremony on 14 June 2020 at “Little Manila”, Bathurst-Wilson Parkettte, North York, Ontario, on the occasion of the 122nd Philippine Independence Day. The flag raising was organized by the Filipino Canadian Communities in Canada and the organizer of the “Taste of Manila”, the only Filipino street festival in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and located in North York, home of the largest area of concentration for Filipinos in Canada. The holding of the festival usually closes a portion of a major Toronto street – Bathurst Street at the corner of Wilson Avenue. The “Taste of Manila“ was among the City of Toronto’s city-led events and approved permits cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the attendees were Consul General Orontes V. Castro, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Hon. Marco Mendicino and City of Toronto Councillor James Pasternak. Member of Parliament Michael Levitt and Member of Provincial Parliament Roman Barber sent their representatives.
In his remarks, Consul General Orontes V. Castro highlighted the close bilateral relations between the Philippines and Canada. He also added that the increasing number of Filipino immigrants, students, and workers to Canada, especially to Ontario, could lead to increased trade and investment between the two countries. He thereafter read the Independence Day message of President Rodrigo R. Duterte. In his brief speech, Minister Mendicino noted the presence and contribution of Filipinos in Canada’s development and he stated that Filipinos would always be welcome to the country. Councillor Pasternak, on the other hand, thanked the Filipinos’ contribution to the progress and development of the City of Toronto.

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Message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. for Canada Day