AUTHENTICATION
18 June 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto proudly hosted its celebration of the 116th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence on Thursday, June 12, at its new office premises. The celebration kicked off with the yearly flag raising ceremony at the Toronto City Hall, marking the 36th year of the Philippine flag-hoisting tradition of the Consulate General and the Filipino-Canadian community in the City of Toronto, home to an increasing population of Filipino migrants and Filipino-Canadians. After raising the Philippine flag, Consul General Junever Mahilum-West read the message of H.E. President Benigno S. Aquino III. Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak, candidate for Mayor of Toronto Mr. John Tory, the Flag-Raising Committee headed by Mr. Tote Quizan, Ontario Women’s Club and other members of the community were among the guests who joined the event at City Hall.
The celebrations then continued at the Consulate General, with the blessing of the new office and
invocation by Father Ben Ebcas, parish priest of Our Lady of the Assumption. The highlights of the programme were the singing of the Lupang Hinirang, Panunumpa sa Watawat, the reading of the messages of congratulations of Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne (who handily won in the provincial elections held on the same day), and Toronto City Acting Mayor Norm Kelly and of the Independence Day Messages of the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Vice President and the President of the Philippines, respectively by Labor Attache Leonida Romulo, Consul Shirley Banquicio, Consul Jesusa Susana Paez and Consul General Mahilum-West. The celebration also showcased cultural presentations of Kundiman and OPM songs by Filipino-Canadian singers, Ms. Ashley Suva and Chadwick Saba, the Ngayon at Noon fashion show featuring modern and nostalgic Filipiniana attire by Mahistrado Fashions, and Filipino martial arts demonstration led by Maestro Rudico Cosico and Maestro Oliver Garduce of the Filipino Martial Arts of Arnis Kali Escrima. Emcee Vice-Consul Bolivar Bao added educational tidbits to the programme by introducing facts on Philippine history.
The presentations elicited the admiration of the guests who were composed of representatives of Filipino-Canadian groupings, and the Toronto Professional Firefighters’ Association led by its Executive Officer, Mr. Geoff Boisseau and Ms. Tamara Sylvan of Toronto Fire Services. Mr. Boisseau introduced his team and shared their experience as one of the first responders from Canada who extended rescue and relief assistance to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in Tacloban in November 2013.
The Jose Rizal bust, which the National Commission for Culture and the Arts recently donated to the Consulate, was given prominence at the reception area during the commemoration and wil remain on display until the celebration of 153rd birth anniversary of Dr. Rizal on June 19. The Consulate’s June 12 event also had Overseas Voting Registration for the 2016 presidential elections. By underscoring the importance of voters’ participation in the electoral processes, several guests were persuaded to register during the event.
The Consulate’s successful celebration was made possible with the generous patronage and sponsorship of Mayor Vincent “Duke” Frasco of Liloan, Cebu, Philippine Airlines-Toronto, Western Union, San Miguel Corporation, Panago Pizza, Filipino Martial Arts of Arnis Kali Escrima, FV Foods, Gino Solutions Inc. and Prestige by Night bistro. 
In addition to the Consulate General’s commemoration, the Philippine Artists Group (PAG) of Canada with the Consulate General as presenting sponsor held the opening of PAG’s 26th Annual Art Exhibition on June 7 in celebration of 116th Anniversary of Independence Day at the Neilson Park Creative Centre in Etobicoke, Ontario. Guests of honors to this event were PAG’s first honorary members Consul General Mahilum-West and Mr. John West, Indonesian Consul General and Mrs. Julang Pujianto, and Mrs. Debbie Gatan, wife of former Ambassador Leslie Gatan. It was on this occasion that PAG also invited Senator Tobias “Jun” Enverga, Jr., the first Canadian Senator of Filipino descent and who also paints extensively, to become an honorary member of PAG.
Another milestone event which significantly enlivened the social scene in Toronto was Canada Philippine Fashion Week (CPFW) 2014, wherein the Consulate once again collaborated with Mr. Jeff Rustia, CPFW Executive Director and founder of Kol Hope Foundation, in the superlative celebration of Independence Day with A Week of Style + Couture from June 9 to 14. CPFW successfully launched its Opening Night with Habi Textile Exhibit on June 9, Independencia: Filipino Pride + Style on June 12, Philippine Fashion’s Biggest Night with Top Philippine Designers on June 13 and culminating with Canada Philippine Fashion Ball, A Salute to Francis Libiran, on June 14. By showcasing the best in Philippine haute couture through world-class fashion shows and musical performances by Filipino supermodels and celebrities, exhibits, art and food, CPFW once again revitalized the promotion of Filipino fashion talent and artistry in Canadian fashion stage. CPFW is a recipient of Canada’s prestigious Festival and Events Ontario (FEO) 2014 Award, “Best New Festival of the Year," for organizing a true tourism destination event in Toronto.
Meanwhile, the local governments led by the cities of Barrie and Brampton and their Mayors, Jeff Lehman and Susan Fennell, respectively, gave recognition to the country’s national day by declaring June 2014 in the City of Barrie as PHILIPPINE MONTH and in the City of Brampton as PHILIPPINE HERITAGE WEEK (June 9-15, 2014). Brampton will further mark the establishment of sister-city relations with Marikina on June 25.
Similar celebrations were held in the cities of Markham and Vaughan in the Greater Toronto Area, where the flag was raised followed by presentations that showcased the beauty and diversity of Filipino culture. Mayor Frank Scarpitti and MPP Michael Chan were on hand during the event in Markham, while Deputy Mayor Gino Rosati graced the Vaughan commemoration. June 15, 2014 was declared as FILIPINO DAY in Vaughan, which has a Friendship Agreement with Baguio City in the Philippines.
The city of Pickering, headed by Mayor Dave Ryan, with the presence of Senator Enverga, Federal Minister for Immigration Chris Alexander and regional and city officials, held the first of heretofore annual flag-raising ceremonies to mark Philippine Independence Day for the whole Durham Region, to which Pickering belongs. Consul-General Junever Mahilum-West shared the President’s message during the event. A bigger celebration through a fiesta is being envisioned for next year.
Due to time constraints or simultaneous holding of events, the Consulate General was not able to join other commemorative activities organized by the community such as picnics, Santacruzans, gala nights and fiestas, especially in far-flung areas, but all these events contributed to the gaiety and significance of Philippine Independence Day and the rising profile of the community celebrating them.
The various events enabled the Filipino-Canadian community to honor, preserve and celebrate our heritage, showcase the richness of Philippine culture, mark our customs and traditions and to give recognition to the achievements of Filipinos in Canada’s culturally-rich and ethnically-diverse society. END
OFFICE OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS 
