PH Embassy in Ottawa Celebrates PH Independence Day, Filipino Heritage Month
The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa joins members of the Filipino community in a picnic to commemorates 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence and Filipino Heritage Month. (Ottawa PE photo)
OTTAWA 22 June 2019 – The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa joins members of the Filipino community in a picnic to commemorate 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence and Filipino Heritage Month at Vincent Massey Park, Ottawa, on 9 June 2019.
More than a thousand Filipinos from Ottawa, Kingston, and Montreal gathered for this annual event. The event began with a parade around the park participated by various Filipino organizations in Canada. Philippine Independence Committee of the Ottawa Valley (PICOV) Chairperson Nora Arriola gave the welcome remarks.
Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia remarked, “today is a good day to be a Filipino” and wished all the picnic guests a successful event. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson also joined the program and addressed the audience.
The much-anticipated Parada ng mga Lechon (Lechon Parade) was one of the highlights of the morning, with lechon (roast pigs) displayed in various costumes and themes by competing organizations. The Hiligaynon Group’s lechon interpretation of Ohoy Alibangbang accompanied by a special dance number garnered the first prize.
The parade was followed by music and dance numbers from local performers, including the Philippine Dance Troupe of Ottawa, and a chess and volleyball tournaments were held in the afternoon.
The Independence Day Picnic is one of a series of activities organized by PICOV for the inaugural commemoration of Filipino Heritage Month. END
For more information, visit www.ottawape.dfa.gov.ph, www.philembassy.ca or https://www.facebook.com/PHinCanada/.