Philippine Consul General Highlights Strength of Filipino Diaspora and Enduring Philippine-Canada Friendship at 127th Independence Day Celebrations in Toronto
Philippine Consul General in Toronto Angelica Escalona with officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and Attached Agencies.
TORONTO June 2025 — To mark this year’s celebration of the 127th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto came together with the Filipino Community on 12 June 2025 for successive flag raising ceremonies at the Toronto City Hall and the Ontario Legislative Assembly at Queen’s Park.
In her remarks at both events, Philippine Consul General in Toronto Angelica C. Escalona took the opportunity to bid farewell to the community she served for the last two years as she finishes her tour of duty by the end of the month. Reflecting on her eventful assignment in Toronto, she highlighted the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Canada manifested in the meaningful celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations last year and the many initiatives towards expanding and strengthening partnerships across key sectors. She lauded the strength and resilience of the million-strong Filipino diaspora in Canada that contribute to Canada’s growth and the wellbeing of its people and urged them to deepen their connection to their Filipino heritage and be leaders and trailblazers in their respective fields and communities.
On behalf of Ontario Speaker of the House Donna Skelly, MPP Andrea Hazell awarded Consul General Escalona a certificate of congratulations for the occasion. In their remarks, representatives of the political parties of Ontario noted the growing Filipino community in the province and conveyed their gratitude for the significant contributions of the diaspora to Canadian society. Citing the recent Lapu-Lapu tragedy in Vancouver, MPP Will Bouma, who represented Premier Doug Ford, assured that the Filipino community will always have the support of the Province. Other politicians present during the flag raising ceremony were Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, representing the Progressive Conservative Party, MPP Tom Rakocevic of the National Democratic Party, and Ms. Bonnie Crombie, leader of the Liberal Party.
Jollibee and Pinoy Ontario Vendors’ Kuya Popoy joined the celebration at City Hall, representing some of the many Filipino-owned businesses in the province that help drive the economy.
The events featured a rendition of the Philippine and Canadian national anthems by the Consulate team with multitalented musicians Chyrell Ronquillo and Danny Orbillo and sopranos Lilac Cana and Jennifer Uy. Queen’s Park guests were serenaded by renowned Filipino singer Chiqui Pineda-Azimi. Guro JB Ramos of Combat Science-Warrior Arts in Asia and their students presented a demonstration of arnis, the Filipino martial art.
Because no Filipino gathering is complete without food, the Consulate arranged a simple breakfast of tuna egg pandesal (thanks to the Philippine Independence Day Council and Toronto Community Housing) and Jollibee peach mango pie at City Hall and a sumptuous lunch buffet catered by Graze Oasis and Sir Fred Cuisine/Golden Lechon at Queen’s Park. END
Consul General Angelica Escalona leads the flag raising ceremonies at Toronto City Hall (left photo) and Queen’s Park (right photo)
Consulate personnel with Chyrell Ronquillo and Danny Orbillo lead the singing of the Philippine national anthem (right photo)
Consul General Angelica Escalona receives a Certificate from MPP Andrea Hazell (left photo), and poses with MPP Andrea Hazell, Solicitor General Michael Kerzner and MPP Tom Rakocevic (right photo).
(Left to right photo): Consul General Escalona delivers her Independence Day Message, poses with MPPs Will Bouma and Andrea Hazell and Soon Ok, spouse of MPP Raymond Cho, and cuts the celebratory cake with Filipino Community representative Monina Lim-Serrano
Clockwise from top left photo: Officers of the Consulate with the Jollibee Canada Team; Consul General Angelica Escalona with Jollibee; Jollibee brings joy to Toronto City Hall staff through its Jolly Crispy Chicken
(Left photo) Consul General Angelica Escalona with Four Seasons Hotel Toronto Commercial Director Mary Ann Gamboa, former Toronto Medical Officer of Health Eileen De Villa, and Kalamansi Collective Founder Kris Pangilinan, and (Right photo) Consulate Officers with Pinoy Ontario Vendors’ Kuya Popoy
(Left photo): Consul General Angelica Escalona with the leaders of the Philippine Independence Day Flag Raising Committee, Philippine Independence Day Council and Ontario Filipino Women’s Club, and other members of the Filipino community in Toronto; (Right photo) Consul General Angelica Escalona with Col. Glen Mark Cabalquinto, PAF, who is participating in the National Security Programme of the Canadian Forces College
Top left: Filipino singer Chiqui Pineda-Azimi serenades the guests; Top right: Senior Master JB Ramos, Head Instructor and Owner of Combat Science:Warrior Arts of Asia in Toronto, and their students do an arnis demonstration; 2nd row from top: The Consulate’s Caterers, Fred Oreal of Sir Fred Cuisine and Cathy Oreal-Hercules and Royce Hercules of Graze Oasis with their sumptuous spread and some of the guests
Consul General Angelica Escalona with members of the Filipino Community in Toronto and representatives of the Ontario Legislative Assembly
For more information, visit https://www.torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philcongen-toronto.com, https://www.facebook.com/PHinToronto/ or https://twitter.com/PHinToronto.