PH Embassy in Calgary, Filipino Community in Edmonton Celebrates PH Independence
(Right photo) Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia speaks to the Filipino community (left photo) in Edmonton during the celebration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. (Calgary PE photo)
EDMONTON 08 July 2019 — Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia and Consul General to Calgary Gilberto Asuque highlighted the contribution of the Filipino diaspora to the economic, cultural, social and historical richness of Canada during the celebration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence organized by the Council of Edmonton Filipino Associations (CEFA).
The celebration by CEFA coincided with the Philippine Heritage Month in Alberta observed in June of each year, as proclaimed by the Provincial Government and all over Canada as declared in a Motion passed by the House of Common of the Federal government.
In her message at the Red Carpet Dinner held at the River Cree Hotel in Edmonton, Ambassador Garcia said, “This year, we also celebrate the first Canada-wide Filipino Heritage Month in recognition of the growing Filipino Diaspora in the country and their contributions to Canadian Society. From the first Filipinos who crossed the Pacific Ocean in the early 20th century, we now find Filipinos in all possible areas of the country, working in different sectors, from coast to coast to coast.”
The 121st Philippine Independence Day was also an opportunity to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Philippines-Canada Relations which Ambassador Garcia described as “an important milestone in both our countries’ bilateral relations that have steadily grown in the political, economic, and other spheres, as well as through people-to-people exchanges, since 1949” adding that “we look forward to continue our work in strengthening ties with Canada, an endeavor in which the Filipino community will undoubtedly play an important role.”
For his part, Consul General Asuque spoke on the theme Kalayaan 2019: Tapang ng Bayan, Malasakit sa Mamamayan” as a way for the Filipinos in Canada “to remember and honor the heroism, patriotism, nationalism and self-sacrifice of our Filipino forefathers in the struggle for independence; instill in the hearts and minds of the youth the greatness of the Filipino race, the legacy of their national heroes and the ideals of their nationhood; and show unity and strength during challenging time.”
The Consul General congratulated the CEFA for organizing the event during the first celebration of Philippine Heritage Month which the Alberta Government proclaimed as “the opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Filipino-Canadians in Alberta, and to honour Philippine Independence as well as the historic struggles of Filipinos.”
Officials of the Federal and Provincial Governments also attended the CEFA event, Minister of Municipal Affairs Kaycee Madu conveyed the greetings of Alberta Premier Jason Kenny of Alberta. Edmonton West Member of Parliament (MP) Kelly McCauley expressed the best wishes of the Conservative Party, while Councilor Andrew Knack conveyed the greetings of Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson.
Ambassador Garcia and Consul General Asuque thanked CEFA president Tony Surtida and the officers and volunteers of CEFA for the successful celebration of the 121st Philippine Independence Day, 70th Anniversary of Philippines-Canada Relations and Philippine Heritage Month, and encouraged the organization to continue with their laudable community projects and events in Edmonton. END
Consul General to Calgary Gilberto Asuque delivers his speech during the celebration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. (Calgary PE photo)
Ambassador Garcia and Consul General Asuque together with the guests during the celebration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. (Calgary PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.calgarypcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinCalgary/.