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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL TORONTO AND FILM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES DISCUSS FILM CARAVAN FOR 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINES-CANADA RELATIONS

(Left photo) Consul General Angelica C. Escalona examining films being restored at the Philippine Film Archive (Right photo, left to right) Project Development Assistant for Festivals Division Dan Yobel Dantes, Cultural Officer Maricel D. Samonte, FDCP Executive Director III Daniel Dan Morales, Consul General Escalona, Education and Festivals Division Head Rica Arevalo, Project Development Officer for PEAP and Spotlight Philippines Max Rivero, and Senior Administrative Assistant Jed De Guzman

1 March 2024 – Consul General Angelica C. Escalona and Cultural Officer Maricel D. Samonte of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto visited the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to discuss with FDCP officials its proposal for a film caravan project that would bring Filipino films to multiple Canadian cities for the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-Canada relations this year.

FDCP Executive Director III Daniel Dan Morales, Education and Festivals Division Head Rica Arevalo, Senior Administrative Assistant Jed De Guzman, Project Development Officer for PEAP and Spotlight Philippines Max Rivero, and Project Development Assistant for Festivals Division Dan Yobel Dantes warmly welcomed the Consulate officials, answering their questions and providing suggestions on the proposed project, which would be implemented under the FDCP’s Philippine Embassies Assistance Program (PEAP).

The film caravan is envisioned to showcase Filipino films to audiences in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary in September 2024 through a partnership between the FDCP and Philippine Foreign Service Posts in Canada.

According to Consul General Escalona, “It would be ideal to have a Filipino film caravan in September. The Philippine Film Industry Month is observed every year in September, and in the case Toronto, there is plenty of buzz and excitement over the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). We deeply appreciate FDCP’s willingness to support us on this project”.

During their visit to the FDCP, the Consulate officials were given a tour of the Philippine Film Archive, which is tasked to conserve and preserve the audiovisual materials connected to Philippine history and culture. The Consulate officials learned about archiving, restoration and preservation, gaining a sense of appreciation for the hard work that goes into and the expertise required for the preservation of audiovisual heritage. (END)

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IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL ARTS MONTH 2024 AND THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINES-CANADA RELATIONS, SENTRO RIZAL TORONTO PRESENTS “ANI NG SINING - BAYANG MALIKHAIN -  A HARVEST OF ARWORKS BY FILIPINO IN CANADA

Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate delivers the welcome remarks during the launch of the National Arts Month Art Exhibit on 12 February 2024

14 February 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto’s Sentro Rizal, in partnership with the Philippine Artists Group (PAG), is commemorating the Philippine’s National Arts Month with an Art Exhibit at the Consulate’s consular hall. The exhibit was launched in a simple ceremony on 12 February 2024, and is part of the Consulate General’s celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Philippines – Canada diplomatic relations.

The works selected for display are evocative of both the Philippines and Canada, with the artists showing fondness for their Filipino heritage and deep appreciation for their new homeland. The exhibit showcases 22 paintings and three sculptures from some of the most accomplished Filipino-Canadian artists in the Greater Toronto Area, and include some award-winning pieces. Among the paintings on display are a trio of paintings of Philippine native fruits done by former Toronto Consul General now-Ambassador Junever Mahilum – West of the Philippine Embassy in Paris, who was a member of the PAG during her assignment to Toronto.

In his remarks during the launch, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate thanked the PAG for their consistent support of the Consulate’s project, and praised their creativity and talent, noting that while they undoubtedly led busy lives, they still made time to answer the call to create beautiful works.

The exhibit is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and runs from 12 – 29 February 2024. END

(L-R) Consul Mary Grace Villamayor, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate, PAG VP Michelle Chermaine Ramos, PAG Pres. Antonio Afable, Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague at the ribbon-cutting, marking the opening of the art exhibit. 

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THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO AND THE PHILIPPINE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM-NEW YORK PROMOTE LOVE THE PHILIPPINES  AT THE TORONTO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SHOW 

(L-R) Marco Vincent Dive Resort’s Jody Deevey, Nancy Napoles of Philippine Airlines (PAL), Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate, Philippine Department of Tourism Officer Katherine Alcantara, PAL’s Chariah Ann Conopio and Consul Mary Grace Villamayor

24 February 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto rendered full support to the Department of Tourism’s (PDOT) participation in the 2024 Outdoor Adventure Show. This event is considered to be Canada’s largest showcase of outdoor gear and adventure travel experiences.

The show, running from February 23-25 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, featured more than 300 exhibitors offering the latest camping gear, paddle sports, outdoor clothing, scuba diving and ultimate adventure travel destinations. The PDOT exhibit featured adventure travel destinations in the Philippines and was supervised by Senior Tourism Operations Officer (STOO) Katherine Ambion-Alcantara. The PDOT booth also had displays from Philippine Airlines, Marco Vincent Dive Resort and Polaris Travel and Tours.

In addition to the booth operations, PDOT also made a presentation on Philippine Tourism and the new PDOT Love the Philippines campaign in the afternoon of Saturday, 24 February.

Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville C. Tate gave the welcome remarks before STOO Alcantara’s promotional videos. The assembled crowd appreciated the production and PDOT’s elegant and eco-friendly tote bags, which were given away to the audience. END

PAL’s Ms. Nancy Napoles and PDOT Officer Katherine Alcantara take a groufie with the audience during the Philippine country presentation on 24 February 2024

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CANADA ANNOUNCES CA$28.15 MILLION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FUND FOR THREE NEW PHILIPPINE PROJECTS TO ADDRESS HEALTH CARE CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISASTER RISK AND RESILIENCE

Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen announces Canada will undertake three major development projects in the Philippines, during the International Development Week celebration at Plan International Canada’s Toronto office

09 February 2024 – Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate and Consul Mary Grace Villamayor represented the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto during the 34th International Development Week event of Global Affairs Canada on 09 February 2024 at Plan International Canada’s office in Toronto.

At the event, Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen announced three new development projects for the Philippines that Canada will fund with a CA$28.15 million program budget. The projects have been chosen to address pressing challenges in the Philippines and help in the attainment of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Climate Adaptation Project in partnership with the Forest Foundation Philippines, Sunlife of Canada and the University of Guelph will support and invest in nature-based solutions to fight climate change and its negative effects in the Philippines through tackling biodiversity loss and helping communities increase their capacity and resilience in the face of increasing natural disasters.

The Global Affairs Canada Partnership with Alinea Foundation to Strengthen Community Resilience in Disasters aims to increase community capacity to respond to and recover from natural disasters whenever they occur, while making sure gender equality as well as disability and social inclusion are observed.

Plan International Canada’s Gender-Responsive Systems Approach to Universal Health Care Project in partnership with the University of Montreal and Zuellig Foundation aims to reach over half a million Filipinos with nutritional health, sexual and reproductive health services, and training on Canadian healthcare knowledge responsive to the needs of rural and indigenous communities, especially women.

In her speech, Minister of Small Business Rechie Valdez said, “I am proud of the long-lasting relationship between Canada and the Philippines, and today’s funding announcement underlines the strength of the bond between our two countries. By continuing to work together on our shared goals of battling climate change, improving the quality of health-care services, and women’s empowerment, our incredible relationship will only continue to get stronger. This is great news for Filipinos here in Canada and abroad.” END

(L-R) Philippine Deputy Consul General to Toronto Kerwin Orville Tate, MP Robert Oliphant, Plan International Canada Senior Adviser for Health Mohammed Ibrahim, Minister of Small Business Rechie Valdez, Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen, Plan International Canada Chief Program Officer Dr. Tanjina Mirza, University of Montreal Director for International Health Unit Karina Dubois-Nguyen and Global Affairs Canada Deputy Assistant Secretary Patricia Pena