CELEBRATING FILIPINO FOOD MONTH 2025: HONORING OUR CULINARY HERITAGE, SUPPORTING FILIPINO RESTAURANTS, AND HARNESSING FILIPINO TALENT

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8 April 2025 — This April, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto joins the nation in celebrating the 7th year of Filipino Food Month (FFM) with the theme: “Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino, Yaman ng Kasaysayan, Kultura at Pagkatao.”

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 469 declaring the month of April of every year as Filipino Food Month (FFM) or Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino, spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) as the lead agency, in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT), this month-long celebration is made possible through the invaluable partnership of the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM) and other dedicated stakeholders.

This year’s commemoration highlights the urgent need to preserve and promote the country’s rich culinary traditions. By safeguarding age-old recipes, indigenous techniques, and regional flavors, the celebration fosters appreciation, empowers communities, and ensures the legacy of Filipino cuisine thrives for future generations.

In line with this, the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in Canada invite everyone to join the fourth iteration of the Filipino Restaurant Month Canada (FRMC). FRMC aims to promote and mainstream Filipino cuisine in Canada, support Filipino restaurants, highlight the skills of Filipino chefs, and encourage the use of Philippine-made ingredients. A total of 19 restaurants representing the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan are participating in the FRMC, offering prix fixe menus to its customers throughout the entire month of April.

Recognizing the potential of the Filipino diaspora in Canada to amplify our efforts in keeping alive and continuing our culinary traditions, the Consulate is also bringing in renowned Filipino chef and co-author of the book KULINARYA: A Guidebook to Philippine Cuisine, Jessie Cruz Sincioco, to conduct cooking masterclasses for temporary foreign workers serving as personal support workers, caregivers, kitchen assistants and cooks on 23 April 2025.

Our food is more than just nourishment — it’s a rich tapestry of heritage, history, and identity woven through generations.

Let’s unite in preserving and championing our culinary treasures — because every bite of Filipino food is a taste of our history.

Mabuhay ang Kalutong Pilipino!

NOTICE OF FINAL LOCKDOWN AND SEALING

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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO HIGHLIGHTS FILIPINO FOOD AND FASHION TO CELEBRATE WOMEN’S MONTH

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The panelists sharing their migration and entrepreneurship journeys (L-R): Jocelyn Reyes-Midghall, Abby Albino, Sunshine Asuncion-See, Charmaine Suarez

25 March 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto capped its month-long celebration of National Women’s Month with an afternoon fête dubbed, “WOMEN’S HOUR: Food & Fashion for Filipino-Canadians on a Mission.”

The three-hour event featured a panel discussion with three young Filipina professionals making an impact in their respective fields and the Filipino community, namely Abby Albino (Head of Brand and Business Strategy of Canada Basketball, Co-Founder of Makeway, and Co-Founder of RISE Tribe), Sunshine Asuncion-See (Founder of Kain Tayo Food Village), and Charmaine Ramirez, (Co-Founder, Pwrforward), a fashion show directed by Claris Minas Manglicmot (Founder and Creative Director of Couture Culture and Arts) showcasing the creations of Filipino designers Tristan F. Licud, Sherwin Darrel Magtulis, and Simon Ariel Vasquez, and a networking reception highlighting Filipino comfort food, such as taho, empanada, chicharon, ube cake and ube mousse, and a charcuterie table spread with Filipino elements, generously provided by Filipina-owned member-vendors of Kain Tayo Food Village.

The event was organized to recognize outstanding young Filipino-Canadian women who have made an impact through their businesses and advocacies, and allow other members of the community to be inspired and moved to action by their stories.

In her remarks, Consul General Angelica C. Escalona called on the Filipino-Canadian women present in the room to play a greater role in shaping the future of the Filipino diaspora and of both Canada and the Philippines.

Consul General Angelica Escalona delivering her opening remarks. (Right photo) Consul General Angelica Escalona (center) with the panelists

The panelists underscored the importance of resourcefulness and diskarte and finding one’s voice to overcoming challenges from gender-based or racial discrimination and economic hardship. They also urged the Filipino community to flip crab mentality on its head and instead pull each other up towards mutual success.

Consul General Angelica Escalona (center) with some of the models

The fashion show was a celebration of Filipino talent in fashion design. It highlighted more modern and wearable Filipiniana pieces that appeal to Filipinos and foreigners alike and culminated in the announcement of the partnership that the Consulate facilitated between visiting designer Simon Ariel Vasquez and Filipina-owned Brampton-based Filipiniana retailer, Manila Center, for the sale of SAV’s pieces in Canada.

The food feature was the Consulate’s way of helping promote the Filipina-owned food businesses in the Greater Toronto Area, many of which were established during the pandemic.

The event was attended by some 80 guests, as well as about 30 volunteer models and backstage crew for the fashion show.

Couture Culture and Arts’s Claris Minas Manglicmot (above, center) with her models and (below) introducing the fashion show

Consul General Angelica Escalona (center) joins fashion designer Simon Ariel Vasquez and Filipiniana retailer Eileen Azarcon for a photo following the announcement of the SAV x Manila Center partnership

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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO HONORS PAFIOO AWARDEE ROBERTO EUSEBIO R. LAVIDES, RECOGNIZES DISTINGUISHED FILIPINO-CANADIANS IN THE 75 FACES OF MIGRATION PROJECT

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13 March 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto organized a ceremony to confer, on behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., the Presidential Awards on Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) Pamana ng Pilipino Award to Mr. Roberto Eusebio R. Lavides, the lone awardee for Canada. The PAFIOO is a biennial search to honor and recognize overseas Filipinos and other individuals or organizations who contribute to Philippine development initiatives or promote the cause and interest of Filipinos overseas.

Mr. Lavides, a narrative artist and creative director hailing from Gumaca, Quezon province, was given the award for his exemplary achievements in the arts and literature and staunch efforts in propagating Filipino culture and Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s legacy among the Filipino diaspora. His many notable achievements include the introduction of the Filipino language in Ontario schools and the International Rizaliana Art Tour in 1996 to commemorate the centenary of Rizal’s martyrdom.

As part of the event, the Consulate also recognized some of the distinguished Filipino-Canadians included in the 75 Faces of Migration publication and photo exhibit. The project was a joint initiative of the Embassy and Consulates General of the Philippines in Canada and the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Canada last year. It featured 75 Filipino-Canadians who excelled in their respective fields and made valuable contributions to different sectors of Canadian society. Among those recognized were:

• Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Nonato – first Filipino-Canadian to command the Royal Regiment of Canada, one of the largest and oldest military regiments in Canada.

• Mr. Richard Llanera – first secondary school principal of Filipino heritage in Northern Ontario, who taught at the First Nation Native Sena School in North Caribou Lake. He also mentored and supported several Filipino teachers to become licensed teachers in Ontario.

• Mr. Rodolfo Ong – President of APO Products Ltd./UNO Foods Inc., which has been distributing Filipino food products across Canada for 40 years. He was represented by his son, Mr. Patrick Ong.

• Ms. Gelaine Santiago – co-founder and CEO of Cambio & Co., an ethical fashion retailer based in Toronto, which has helped Filipino artisans and promoted Filipino culture among the younger Filipino-Canadians.

• Dr. Patrick Alcedo – first racialized Chair of Department of Dance at York University since its founding in 1970. He was also a PAFIOO Pamana Presidential Awardee in 2022 for achieving excellence in his profession.

In her remarks, Consul General Angelica C. Escalona noted significance of the PAFIOO and 75 Faces of Migration Project in recognizing distinguished overseas Filipinos who have contributed to uplifting the Filipino spirit and exemplified the highest ideals of service, professionalism, and dedication. She cited the potential transformative power of the one million Filipinos in Canada, and how the honorees serve as inspirations to the diaspora to do more for the community.

In his response, Mr. Lavides said that he is receiving the award at a critical time in history when there are threats to peace, autonomy, and world order. Emphasizing that Dr. Rizal’s ideals remain relevant today, he said, “This is a quintessential moment where Rizal’s internationalist vision is reverberating loud and clear, echoing in symbolic proportions, prompting us to face this looming adversity head on, prodding us to hold our head high, and motivating us to defend what is universally right.” He added that the award is a reminder that the ideals of Philippine heroes serve as an important guide to overcome challenges.

The families of the honorees, Consulate personnel and consular clients witnessed the ceremony.

PAFIOO Pamana ng Pilipino awardee Mr. Roberto Eusebio Lavides delivering his response

Mr. Lavides with his family, Consul General Escalona and Deputy Consul General Tate

Consul General Escalona with Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Nonato and his family (left photo) and with Ms. Gelaine Santiago and her parents (right photo)

Consul General Escalona with Dr. Patrick Alcedo (left photo) and with Mr. Richard Llanera (right photo)

Consul General Escalona with Mr. Patick Ong, representing Mr. Rodolfo Ong (left photo) and with Mr. Roberto Eusebio Lavides (right photo)

The honorees with their families, Consulate officials and guests

PUBLIC HOLIDAY NOTICE

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FORUM ON THE 2025 OVERSEAS VOTING

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CONSULAR OUTREACH TO NEEPAWA, MANITOBA

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CONSULAR OUTREACH TO WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

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PRE-VOTING ENROLLMENT FOR INTERNET VOTING

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ATTENTION Filipino Overseas Voters!

The official enrollment link for Internet Voting for the 2025 Philippine National Elections overseas is NOW LIVE!

ENROLL NOW!
Enrollment is only until May 7, 2025.

VIRTUAL BRIEFING ON THE 2025 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL OVERSEAS INTERNET VOTING

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JOB VACANCY

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ADVISORY

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Please standby for the OFFICIAL LINK for the PRE-VOTING ENROLMENT.

2025 NATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH

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To celebrate Philippine National Women’s Month this March 2025, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto invites our kababayan to an afternoon of food and fashion with inspiring Filipino-Canadians who are helping make our communities here and in the Philippines better and brighter.

Register now!

#2025NationalWomensMonth
#WEcanbeEquALL
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GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY PAVES THE WAY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE LONG-AWAITED RIZAL MONUMENT IN NIAGARA FALLS

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The Filipino community and officials of the local government and Philippine Consulate during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Rizal Monument in Niagara Falls (photo courtesy of Mr. Dennis C. Bustos)

09 March 2025 – Consul General Angelica C. Escalona joined Mayor Jim Diodati of the City of Niagara Falls, members of the City Council, Member of Parliament Tony Baldinelli, Member of Provincial Parliament Wayne Gates and officials of the Niagara Parks Commission led by Commissioner Bob Gale at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Monument overlooking Niagara Falls, one of the most popular tourist spots in the world.

The groundbreaking ceremony was organized by the Filipino community in the Niagara Region spearheaded by the Filipino-Canadian Association of Niagara and the Jose Rizal Memorial Committee. Various Filipino community organizations, including the Knights of Rizal, lobbied for the construction of the monument for many years.

The monument will be the seventh Rizal monument in Canada. The other monuments are located in the cities of Toronto, Markham and Brampton in Ontario; Winnipeg in Manitoba; Airdrie in Alberta; and Montreal in Quebec.

The installation of a Rizal monument in Niagara Falls holds a special meaning as it is the only place in Canada which was verified to have been visited by Dr. Rizal. In 1998, the National Historical Institute (now National Historical Commission of the Philippines) donated a historical marker to the Filipino community citing the visit of Dr. Rizal to the falls on 12 May 1888. In 2023, the City of Niagara Falls, through the Niagara Parks Commission, approved the installation of a monument of Dr. Rizal with the marker.

“It was here at this very spot that Dr. Jose Rizal paused to admire the beauty and grandeur of Niagara Falls. This monument will stand as a lasting symbol of friendship between Canada and the Philippines and a tribute the many contributions of Filipinos to Canada”, Commissioner Gale said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Noting the fact there will soon be seven Rizal monuments across Canada, Consul General Escalona said “this reflects not only the growing number of Filipino migrants in this country, but also the growing recognition of their value to Canadian society.”

Mr. Rodrigo Cuizon, Chair of the Jose Rizal Memorial Committee, emphasized that the event is a milestone not just for the Filipino community in Niagara but for Filipinos all over world.

The unveiling of the monument is scheduled in June 2025.

Consul General Angelica C. Escalona (6th from right) and Mayor Jim Diodati of Niagara Falls (7th from right) lead the groundbreaking ceremony (photo courtesy of Mr. Dennis C. Bustos)

Consul General Escalona with members of the Filipino community in Niagara (photo courtesy of Mr. Dennis C. Bustos)

Consul General Escalona with Mr. Rodrigo Cuizon (rightmost), Chair of the Jose Rizal Memorial Committee in Niagara (photo courtesy of Mr. Dennis C. Bustos)

The historical marker donated by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines reads “Dr. Jose Rizal (1861-1896). The National Hero of the Philippines visited this magnificent falls and paused between the two rocks on May 12, 1888.”

Consul General Escalona, Member of Parliament Tony Baldinelli (7th from right, back), Member of Provincial Parliament Wayne Gates (10th from left) and members of the Filipino community in front of the Niagara Falls (photo courtesy of Mr. Dennis C. Bustos)”

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ADVISORY

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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO OPENS FOR CONSULAR SERVICES ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

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Clients of the Philippine Consulate in Toronto on International Women’s Day celebration

08 March 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto was open for consular services today in celebration of International Women’s Day and National Women’s Month.

The Consulate held a simple ceremony with its clients to mark the occasion. With purple globally recognized as the color of women, symbolizing justice and dignity, Consulate personnel wore purple-colored clothes and served ube (purple yam) flavored Filipino snacks such as hopia, pandesal and ube bars to clients.

Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate delivered brief remarks emphasizing the importance of the role of women in society, quoting the famous aphorism “women hold up half of the sky.”

Filipino Canadian singer Maria Salac serenaded the clients with a song number.

Clients, both women and men, expressed appreciation for the celebration prepared by the Consulate. “We were not aware of the celebration. We are happy to be reminded of the importance of commemorating the sacrifices and achievements of women,” said one of the clients.

Ube bars, hopia and pandesal were served to clients

Personnel of the Philippine Consulate General led by Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate (7th from left) with clients

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The Pre-Voting Enrolment Period for Internet Voting of Overseas Voters for the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections is updated to March 20, 2025 until May 07, 2025.

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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE CLIENTS AND VISITORS ENJOY PLAYING “SUNGKA” TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL ARTS MONTH

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Consular clients playing the Philippine traditional game “Sungka”

28 February 2025 – In celebration of the 2025 National Arts Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto put up a “Sungka” Corner at the Consulate for clients and visitors to try their hand at this traditional game.

“Sungka” is a game of strategy and skills using shells and a boat-shaped board with two rows of seven small holes and two larger holes referred to as “house” at both ends of the board, one for each player. The two players take turns distributing shells into the 14 small holes and their own house. The objective of the game is to gather the most number of shells, and clean out your opponent.

Consular clients who are familiar with “sungka” demonstrated their skills while the younger clients enthusiastically observed and learned the mechanics of the game.

“Magaling ako maglaro ng sungka noong kabataan ko. Halika turuan kita,” said one client as she invited her friend to try the game.
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