PH Consulate General in Toronto Joins “Super Saya”, Taste of Manila’s Virtual Presentation for 2020
Mr. Rolando Mangante (left) and Mr. Pepito Torralba (right), officers of the Taste of Manila and P.E.S.O. Community. (Toronto PCG photo)
TORONTO 01 September 2020 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto participated in the Taste of Manila (TOM) Virtual Presentation dubbed “Super Saya”, in celebration of its 7th year Anniversary.
Taste of Manila, since its maiden festivity in 2014, is one of the biggest Filipino street festivals in North America, happening in August every year. This year’s three-hour pre-recorded event was organized by the Philippine Community Events & Services Ontario (P.E.S.O. Community) and was streamed via the Facebook page of TOM on 29 August 2020 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Super Saya opened with the singing of the Canadian and Philippine national anthems. A brief presentation on Philippine Revolution, Filipino national heroes, as well as today’s modern-day heroes – the Overseas Filipino Workers and frontline workers. Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TOM/P.E.S.O. Community Rolando Mangante, opened the online presentation, welcoming everybody to the virtual celebration of TOM. Vice President for Finance and Board of Director of P.E.S.O. Community Pepito Torralba likewise gave his message to the online viewers of the event saying, “we will not let COVID-19 stop us from celebrating Taste of Manila”.
Philippine Embassy in Ottawa Chargé d’Affaires Francisco Noel R. Fernandez (left) and Philippine Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro (right) greet and welcome everyone to the TOM’s Super Saya. (Toronto PCG photo)
“Filipino ingenuity, initiative, creativity and strong sense of community endure…the event is a source of joy for everyone in their homes and a reminder of what the Philippines can achieve by working together. Our unity as a country and as a community here in Canada is particularly important as we address the pandemic. We have to look out for each other,” said Chargé d’Affaires Francisco Noel R. Fernandez as he congratulated the organizers and participants. He also lauded all Filipinos working in the frontlines, saying “their hard work ensures that the other members of society continue to receive essential services while observing physical distancing protocols”, and reminded everyone to stay safe and to adhere to the health regulations and distancing restrictions of Canada.
Meanwhile, Philippine Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro’s said that this year’s celebration is a “testament to the Filipinos’ virtues of resiliency and utang na loob (gratefulness)”. He added that the Filipinos’ cheerful nature helps in overcoming challenges and difficulties of life, as evidenced in the way Filipinos have risen and recovered from various natural calamities. He also mentioned that the festival was a tribute to frontline, essential, and overseas Filipino workers, for their sacrifices, compassion, extra-ordinary care for the sick, and selfless service to the community. Consul General Casto likewise commended the perseverance of P.E.S.O. Community and TOM founder Rolly Mangante, in organizing the online festival.
Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga gives her message to the organizers and the viewers. (Toronto PCG photo)
Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Demphna Du-Naga lauded TOM as a partner of the One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines, a priority program of the government enabling localities and communities to determine, develop, support, and promote products or services that are rooted in its local culture, community resource, creativity, connection, and competitive advantage. It supports micro and small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) to manufacture, offer, and market distinctive products or services using indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents. She added that TOM helps support local MSMEs and “OTOPreneurs” build and expand their network. She ended by urging everyone to support Philippine MSMEs and OTOPreneurs.
Canadian government officials. Top, from left: Premiere Doug Ford, Member of Parliament (MP) Marco Mendicino, and MP Salma Zahid. Bottom, from left: MP Roman Baber, Toronto City Mayor John Tory, and Toronto Councillor James Pasternak. (Toronto PCG photo)
The messages from Canadian government officials were also shown at the virtual presentation. Messages from Ontario Premiere Doug Ford, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marco Mendicino, Member of Parliament Salma Zahid, Member of Parliament Roman Baber, Toronto City Mayor John Tory, and Toronto Councilor James Pasternak all acknowledged the many contributions of Filipino-Canadians in Canada’s economy and cultural diversity.
“The Filipino community is a key part of the rich cultural diversity we are so lucky to enjoy here in Toronto and I encourage all residents, not just Filipino community members, but all residents, to continue to support local Filipino businesses and restaurants,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory in his message. He also shared that he regrets not being able to fulfill what he committed to do in this year’s Taste of Manila Festival since it is not happening in person, which is to “eat a balot…, but we will carry it forward to 2021 and look forward to being back up at Bathurst and Wilson and having a balot there. I do look forward to gathering with the Toronto’s Filipino community when it is safe to do so. I know that in the meantime, you will continue to be the loving, and caring and unifying community that you are.”
There was non-stop entertainment at Taste of Manila’s Super Saya, from home-grown artists to artists from the Philippines, all showcasing the great talents of the Filipinos. END
For more information, visit https://www.torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philcongen-toronto.com, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinToronto/.