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Philippine Independence Day and Filipino Heritage Month Celebrations in Ottawa Culminate with a Mass, Highlights Bayanihan

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OTTAWA 07 July 2025 — The Philippine Embassy in Canada, led by First Secretary and Consul Alexander Joseph Estomo, joined the Filipino Community in a Thanksgiving Mass and Reception at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Ottawa, marking the end of the month-long celebration of the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and Filipino Heritage Month in Canada.

Rev. Fr. Francis Victor Mateo, OFM Conventual officiated the Mass, which was followed by a lunch reception with cultural performances held at the Parish’s multipurpose hall.

During his remarks, First Secretary and Consul Estomo highlighted the importance of unity and bayanihan, and commended the community for making the month’s celebrations—from the picnic, flag-raising, and gala to the culminating Mass—meaningful and successful. Calling for sustained community support beyond Filipino Heritage Month, he encouraged attendees to patronize Filipino businesses and initiatives.

Organized by the Philippine Independence Day Committee of the Ottawa Valley (PICOV), led by its chairperson, Nora Arriola, the Thanksgiving Mass is an annual tradition of the Filipino-Canadian community in Ottawa to cap off the many activities celebrating Philippine Independence and Filipino Heritage Month in Canada. END

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