06 June 2016 – To reciprocate Canada’s hospitality to nearly 700,000 Filipinos, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia hosted a benefit dinner for Family Services Ottawa at the official residence called Tahanang Rizal on May 19.
English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, and Social Sciences professors from Algonquin College comprised the Ambassador’s principal guests who had supported Family Services Ottawa’s 100th anniversary Music on a Mission fundraiser in October last year and won the silent auction for dinner with the Philippine Ambassador.
“I was just too happy to oblige when Family Services Ottawa asked if we might offer dinner as a prize for its Music on a Mission fund raiser. I am doubly glad that our friends from Algonquin College won this prize. Not only do we get to help Family Services Ottawa, we are also given the opportunity to reciprocate the courtesies extended by Algonquin during its annual Celebration of Cultures. More importantly, this dinner allows you to get to know the Philippines better and allows us to get to know more Canadians outside our usual social circle,” Ambassador Garcia remarked.
Filipino-Canadian Chef Jil Aranas, winner of the 2015 Embassy Chef Challenge People’s Award, and a team of Algonquin College culinary arts students and alumni prepared a four-course Filipino dinner to the guests’ delight.
Family Services Ottawa is a multi-service, non-profit organizations that offers programs, support and counselling Family Service Ottawa (FSO) is a multi-service, non-profit organization that provides programs, support and counselling to build strong and resilient individuals and families. END