{"id":52406,"date":"2015-06-18T16:18:24","date_gmt":"2015-06-18T08:18:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=52406"},"modified":"2015-06-21T16:31:34","modified_gmt":"2015-06-21T08:31:34","slug":"ph-heritage-week-nurtures-filipino-canadian-natives-ties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2015\/06\/18\/ph-heritage-week-nurtures-filipino-canadian-natives-ties\/","title":{"rendered":"PH heritage week nurtures FIlipino-Canadian natives’ ties"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"A<\/a>
A giant Philippine flag is unfurled at Parliament Hill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since 1967, Filipinos in Ottawa have been assembling en masse every year to mark Philippine Independence Day.\u00a0 Within Canada\u2019s multicultural society, the declaration of Philippine Heritage Week by the Mayor of the Canadian capital city of Ottawa institutionalized community events that promote Filipino cultural heritage in a week-long celebration organized by the Philippine Independence Committee in the Ottawa Valley (PICOV).<\/p>\n

\"Amb.<\/a>
Amb. Garcia joins the Filipino community\u2019s independence day mass at the Assumption Church<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Independence Day Mass launches week-long festivities<\/strong>
\nThis year, Holy Mass at the Our Lady of Assumption Church and a program featuring a balagtasan on June 6 kick-started the community\u2019s festivities.\u00a0 The following day, His Worship, Mayor Jim Watson, proclaimed Philippine Heritage Week from 6 to 14 June 2015 at a community picnic which saw thousands of Filipino community members converge at the Vincent Massey Park on June 7.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Hilgaynon Group wins the Parada ng Lechon contest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Largest Filipino fiesta<\/strong>
\nAt the picnic, Filipino organizations and the Philippine Embassy participated in the parade of colors signalling the start of the biggest Pinoy fiesta in Ottawa.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Along with Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia and Mayor Watson, the Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Member of the Parliament of Canada, greeted the merrymakers celebrating Kalayaan 2015. On the part of the Philippine Government, Ambassador Garcia conveyed the good news of the country\u2019s\u00a0political and economic gains and closed her remarks with the independence day message of President Benigno S. Aquino III.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Parada ng Lechon swelled with nine (9) entries competing for prizes.\u00a0 Likewise, entertainment numbers became more diverse with many talented Filipino youth performing on stage.<\/p>\n

\"Amb.<\/a>
Amb. Garcia welcomes guests at the Philippines\u2019 national day reception as Minister Fast and DDG Tungpalan look on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Official receptions featuring Baldemor\u2019s Images of the Homeland<\/strong>
\nAmbassador Petronila P. Garcia hosted official receptions spotlighting Philippine cultural heritage by way of painting exhibits titled \u201cImages of the Homeland\u201d by famed Fillipino artist Manuel Baldemor.\u00a0 At the National Gallery of Canada on June 9, the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, as well as members of the Canada-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group attended the Embassy\u2019s traditional national day reception as guests of honor.\u00a0 According to some members of the diplomatic corps, the Philippine national day event was among Ottawa\u2019s \u201cmost successful\u201d receptions.<\/p>\n

On June 11 at the Centre de Ressources Communautaire de C\u00f4te-des-Neiges, Ambassador Garcia co-hosted a finissage under the auspices of the Maison de la culture C\u00f4te-des-Neiges, through the good offices of Mayor Russell Copeman and Councillor Marvin Rotrand, to celebrate Philippine independence day with the Filipino community in Montreal.<\/p>\n

\"Amb.<\/a>
Amb. Garcia delivers her key messages for independence day before a record-setting PICOV ball.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Parliament of Canada joins Philippine Independence Day celebrations<\/strong>
\nFor the third year running, the Parliament of Canada honored Canadians of Filipino heritage with a flag raising ceremony and reception on June 11.\u00a0 On this occasion, Senator Tobias Enverga, Jr., together with Ambassador Garcia, led the unfurling of a giant Philippine flag on the grounds of Parliament Hill.<\/p>\n

The occasion also presented an opportunity for the Senate of Canada to greet and welcome Ambassador Garcia and Embassy officers as visitors to an on-going sitting and for Senator Enverga to rise and deliver a statement on Philippine independence day.<\/p>\n

\"Amb.<\/a>
Amb. Garcia and Mayor Watson lead the flag raising ceremony at
Ottawa City Hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Flag Raising at Ottawa City Hall<\/strong>
\nThrough arrangements made by PICOV, Ambassador Garcia and Mayor Watson presided over the annual flag raising ceremony at the Ottawa City Hall on June 12.\u00a0 Always a high point of Philippine Heritage Week, the solemn rites affirm the important place of Filipinos in Canadian society while sustaining their connection to Philippine roots.<\/p>\n

A breakfast reception hosted by PICOV followed at the Philippine Embassy to strengthen the fellowship among members of the Filipino community in Ottawa.<\/p>\n

Independence Day Gala<\/strong>
\nAlso on June 12, the annual PICOV Ball took place at the St. Elias Centre in Ottawa with record attendance.\u00a0 The dinner-dance also showcased Filipiniana fashion and some of the Filipino community\u2019s finest singers.<\/p>\n

\"Philippine<\/a>
Philippine Heritage Week culminates in a fluvial parade at the Lac Leamy Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fluvial Parade in Gatineau<\/strong>
\nPhilippine Heritage Week culminated in a fluvial parade organized by Philippine Centre Canada at Le parc du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec where members of the Filipino community took turns sailing the Ottawa River in a paraw jointly built by Filipino and Canadian hands.<\/p>\n

In her remarks throughout Philippine Heritage Week activities, Ambassador Garcia enjoined Filipinos in Canada to help sustain the Philippines\u2019 economic gains by registering as overseas voters for the 2016 national elections and by helping the Embassy\u2019s trade, investments and tourism promotion.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor Filipinos around the world, it is a fact of overseas life that June 12 is a day of deep meaning, an occasion we look forward to every year to celebrate not just the liberties we enjoy but also our identity as a free and sovereign nation.\u00a0 I heartily congratulate the Filipino organizations comprising the Philippine Independence Committee in the Ottawa Valley (PICOV) for the immensely successful events marking this year\u2019s Philippine Heritage Week and Kalayaan 2015.\u00a0 PICOV Chair Nora Arriola deserves special mention for her efficient leadership…<\/p>\n

“I thank Filipinos across Canada for sharing with their adoptive country their very best Filipino qualities every single day.\u00a0 Friendly, courteous, diligent, honest and caring caring \u2013 that is the gold standard which Filipino-Canadians have set for themselves. The Philippines is proud of you and Canada equally so,\u201d Ambassador Garcia stated.<\/p>\n

Photo credits:\u00a0 Allan Fernandez, Ben David and Danny Arriola<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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