PH Consulate General in Vancouver, Filipino-Canadian Communities Celebrate 121st Independence Day, Filipino Heritage Month
Left photo: Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver Deputy Consul General Leo Tito Ausan, Jr. delivers his remarks. Right photo: Member of Parliament Don Davies for Vancouver-Kingsway addresses the Filipino community at the Filipino Plaza. (Vancouver PCG photo)
VANCOUVER 04 July 2019 — The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver led the month-long celebrations of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence in Metro Vancouver.
This year, apart from the commemoration of Philippine Independence, the Filipino-Canadian communities in Canada are also celebrating two other important milestones-- the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations, and the first Canada-wide celebration of the Filipino Heritage Month this June.
The annual flag raising ceremony, organized by the United Filipino Canadian Association of British Columbia (UFCABC) was held at the Filipino Plaza in Vanness, Vancouver on 01 June 2019.
The simple flag-raising kicked off this year’s month-long Philippine Independence celebrations. Consulate General officers and staff attended the flag raising rites, which was also graced by Member of Parliament Don Davies, and other members of the Filipino community.
Another flag raising event was held at the Richmond City Hall on 08 June 2019. The Multicultural Helping House Society (MHHS) led by Tom Avendano and Marilou Yodogawa of MHHS 55+sers coordinated the whole-day event, which included a flag-raising and singing of the Philippine national anthem, congratulatory remarks from various Filipino and Canadian officials, and celebration of the rich Philippine cultural heritage through dances, songs and arnis.
A proclamation on the Philippine Independence Day signed by Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brody was also presented to Mr. Avendano.
The Abbotsford Filipino Canadian Society (TAFCS) held the first Philippine Independence celebration and Filipino Heritage Monthwithin the Fraser Valley region at the Rotary Stadium in Abbotsford, BC on 8 June 2019.
Deputy Consul General Leo Tito Ausan represented the Consulate General and delivered his remarks on behalf of the Consul General. Also in attendance were Member of the Legislative Assembly Mable Elmore and other local government officials. Adding color to the day-long celebration were the various performances such as traditional dances and songs. END
Left photo: Flag raising ceremony at the Richmond City Hall attended by city officials and Consulate General officers and staff. Right photo: Multicultural Helping House Society president Tomas Avendano presents to the community the signed proclamation he received from Richmond City Mayor. (Vancouver PCG photo)
Left photo: Deputy Consul General Ausan addressing the Filipino-Canadian community in Abbotsford. Right photo: Group photo at the Abbotsford Filipino Canadian Society Philippine Independence celebration. (Vancouver PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.vancouverpcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.vancouverpcg.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinVancouver.