PH Embassy in Ottawa Launches Pamana: Sights and Sounds of Filipino Heritage

OTTAWA 14 October 2019 — The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa successfully launched “Pamana: Sights and Sounds of Our Filipino Heritage” at the Sentro Rizal of the Embassy Chancery on 26 September 2019.

Featuring the artwork of talented Filipino-Canadian artists Pepito Escanlar and Ella Brion, as well as the music of Minstrels of Hope, who flew from Manila, the launching was attended by members of the diplomatic community, Canadian personalities, members of the International Club of Ottawa, and members of a business delegation from the Philippines, led by Trade and Industry Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Ease of Doing Business Group (CEODBG) Rowel S. Barba.

Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia welcomed the guests, noting that the event is “a symbolic journey of preserving the multifaceted talents of Filipinos and passing these to the next generation of Filipinos and Filipino-Canadians, with the hope that those who will receive will further build on these sights and sounds and pass these on to the future generation of the Filipino diaspora in Canada.”

Escanlar is a multi-awarded artist from Regina whose work demonstrated specific elements of the richness of the Filipino culture, such as our practice of Bayanihan–the spirit of communal unity, work, and cooperation shown in the carrying of a Filipino home by members of the community when its owners relocate. Brion, on the other hand, featured her visual interpretation of “covenant” and virtues like joy and mercy through paintings of tulip flowers.

The Minstrels of Hope is a service-oriented choral group that advocates increased public awareness about the plight of the poor on the margins of society and poverty alleviation. Its members are themselves from underprivileged families who try to help other poor members of their community through the development of artistic talents, showing us that people who may be disadvantaged can still help others. END

The members of Minstrels of Hope entertain the guests by performing a heart-warming rendition of select songs. (Ottawa PE photo)

Ambassador Garcia presents the certificate of appreciation to Escalar and Brion who were joined by Anabellee Escanlar and Tonette Brion; the Minstrels and Alain Pronovost pose for a photograph with Ambassador Garcia. (Ottawa PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.ottawape.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.philembassy.ca  or https://www.facebook.com/PHinCanada/.