PH Consulate General in Toronto Graces 5th Anniversary of Filipino-Canadian Parents Association in Catholic Education
Deputy Consul General Bernadette Therese Fernandez presided over the induction of newly-elected officers of Filipino Canadian Parents Association in Catholic Education for 2018-2019. (Toronto PCG photo)
TORONTO 12 March 2019 — The Filipino Canadian Parents Association in Catholic Education (FCPACE) held its fifth founding anniversary with a post-Valentine dinner dance and induction of newly-elected officers for 2018-2019 at the JC's Banquet Hall in Scarborough, Toronto on 22 February 2019.
The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, represented by Deputy Consul General Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez and Cultural Officer Cecilia Santos, attended the event. Deputy Consul General Fernandez also conducted the induction of the newly-elected FCPACE officers for 2018-2019.
TCDSB Director of Education Rory McGuckin and Filipino-Canadian TCDSB Ward 8 Trustee Garry Tanuan spoke about the great work of their team in bringing about desirable improvements in school policies, programs and best practices, impacting upon parents and students enrolled in secondary and elementary schools.
Among the members of the team mentioned were Community Relations Officer Jodelyn Huang and Toronto educator Tony San Juan, both Filipino-Canadians, and Barbara Poplawski.
Federal Members of Parliament, Members of Provincial Parliament and Directors of the Toronto Catholic District School Board also graced the occasion. Among those present were MP Shaun Chen of Scarborough North, MP Michael Levitt of York Centre, MP Gary Anandasangaree of Scarborough-Rouge Park, MP Salma Sahid of Scarborough Centre, MP Ali Ehsassi of Willowdale, MPP Raymond Cho of Scarborough North, and MPP Vijay Thanigasalam of Scarborough-Rouge Park.
Formed in November 2013, FCPACE is a faith-focused, non-profit, volunteer-run and community-based organization of Filipino-Canadian parents, guardians, teachers and other Catholic stakeholders who seek a voice and representation within the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB).
It also aims to participate, in an advisory role, on TCDSB’s decision-making process on general matters of faith, morals and student achievement, specifically in matters which affect the Filipino-Canadian students. Through its established programs and projects, FCPACE advocates and contributes to the success of students in Toronto Catholic schools.
The Filipino organization is instrumental to the passage and proclamation in 2018 of "June as Filipino Heritage Month," and the official celebration of Philippine Independence Day every June 12 in all Catholic elementary and secondary schools in Toronto. END
For more information, visit www.torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph, www.philcongen-toronto.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinToronto/.
A special award was given to Toronto educator Tony San Juan for his many valuable contributions to Filipino Canadian Parents Association in Catholic Education since its inception in 2013 by Deputy Consul General Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez (2nd from left) with Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) Director of Education Rory McGuckin (4th from left), and other members of the TCDSB, as Barbara Poplawski (1st from left) and Jodelyn Huang (2nd from right). (Toronto PCG photo)
(Front): Toronto Catholic District School Board Director for Education Rory McGuckin, Special Awardee Tony San Juan, Deputy Consul General Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez and TCDSB Ward 8 Trustee Garry Tanuan. (Back): FCPACE Board of Director Paulina Corpuz, MPP Vijay Thanigasalam, MPP Raymond Cho, Filipino Canadian Parents Association in Catholic Education (FCPACE) President Manuel Lim, MP Shaun Chen, and FCPACE EVP Kit Galema. (Toronto PCG photo)