ANNOUNCEMENT
The officers of the Philippine Consulate General at the Rizal Day 2023 commemoration held at the Sentro Rizal Toronto
30 December 2023 - Consul General Angelica C. Escalona led the ceremonies marking the 127th anniversary of the martyrdom of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
A ceremony was held at the Sentro Rizal Toronto with Philippine Consulate General Toronto and attached agencies personnel and dependents. This was followed by ceremonies at the Jose Rizal monuments in Markham, Ontario and Earl Bales Park, Toronto with the Knights of Rizal and other Filipino community groups.
In her remarks, Consul General Escalona talked about Rizal's travels, including his brief stop in Ontario to view the Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. Noting that the national hero was a man of purpose, she said, "Rizal's travels were a way for him to expand his knowledge and worldview. His travels and the injustices he experienced under Spanish colonial rule led him to advocate for reform, which sparked the fight for independence of the Philippines". The Consul General urged kababayans to appreciate the rights and freedoms that many people enjoy today and to lead a life of purpose.
The theme of this year's Rizal Day commemoration is "Rizal: Pundasyon ng Kahapon, Isinasabuhay Ngayon". END
(Left photo) Consul General Angelica Escalona delivering her remarks on the 127th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal (Right photo) Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and attached agencies personnel and dependents at the Rizal Day commemoration
Rizal Day commemoration in the City of Markham, Ontario
Rizal Day commemoration at Earl Bales Park, City of Toronto
BONIFACIO DAY Celebration in Ontario
Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar on Credentials Recognition and Settlement Services
Poetry Reading in celebration of the 159th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal
Sentro Rizal Toronto of the Consulate General of the Philippines in Toronto is pleased to announce the video project of Sentro Rizal of the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), participated in by Sentro Rizal Centers around the world.
The video project is in celebration of the 159th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal and features reading of Dr. Rizal's poem, Canto del Viajero, by representatives from different Sentro Rizal Centers. The Spanish poem was translated in English and Filipino by National Artists Nick Joaquin (Song of the Wanderer) and former NCCA Chairman Virgilio Almario (Awit ng Biyahero), respectively.
The video will be posted on the following websites:
AWIT NG BIYAHERO
Dahong tuyo't pasuling-suling nang lipad
Kung saanman maitaboy ng buhawing malulupit;
Isang gayong hampaslupa ang b'yahero,
Walang Norte, walang diwa, walang bayan ni pag-ibig.
Ang ligaya'y masikap na hinahanap
At ligaya'y lagi namang mabilis na tumatakas:
Umuuyam na anino sa lunggati...!
Dahil dito, biyahero'y tumawid ng mga dagat!
Tulak-tulak ng kamay na walang-awa,
Dapat siyang maglagalag at lumaboy kahit saan;
Walang dala kundi mga alaala‐
Ng iilang minamahal, ng masayang isang araw.
Isang puntod kung sakali sa disyerto'ng
Makikita, at ampunang matamis na't mapayapa,
Nalimot ng bayan niya't ng daigdig. . .
Mamahinga nang tahimik, sa parusa'y makawala!
Inggit sila sa kawawang biyahero
Kapag siya'y tumatawid nang mabilis sa daigdig. . .
Ay! di nila batid na ang kaluluwa
Niya'y basyo hanggang ubod, walang lamang ni pag-ibig.
Babalik ang peregrino sa bayan n'ya
At marahil ay babalik sa tahanang sinisinta,
At makikita'y niyebe at ruwina,
Mga mahal na naglaho, mga puntod, at wala na.
Magpatuloy, biyahero, sa landas mo,
Manatiling estranghero sa sarili't sintang bayan;
Pabayaan ang pag-awit ng pag-ibig
Sa kanilang maligaya, humayo ka't magpaalam.
Humayo ka, biyahero! H'wag lilingon,
At huwag kang malulungkot sa pamuling pag-alis mo,
Pigilin din, biyahero, ang pighati,
Tinatawanan ng mundo ang kirot ng ibang tao.
(Salin ni Virgilio S. Almario)
CANTO DEL VIAJERO
Jose RizalHoja seca que vuela indecisa
Y arrebata violento turbión,
Así vive en la tierra el viajero,
Sin norte, sin alma, sin patria ni amor.
Busca ansioso doquiera la dicha,
Y la dicha se aleja fugaz:
!Vana sombra que burla su anhelo!...
!Por ella el viajero se lanza a la mar!
Impelido por mano invisible
Vagará de confín en confín;
Los recuerdos le harán compañía
De séres queridos, de un día feliz.
Una tumba quizá en el desierto
Hallará, dulce asilo de paz:
De su patria y del mundo olvidado...
!Descanse tranquilo, tras tanto penar!
Y le envidian al triste viajero,
Cuando cruza la tierra veloz...
Ay! no saben que dentro del alma
Existe un vacío do falta el amor!
Volverá el peregrino a su patria,
Y a sus lares tal vez volverá,
Y hallará por doquier nieve y ruina,
Amores perdidos, sepulcros, no más.
Vè, viajero, prosigue tu senda,
Extranjero de tu propio país;
Deja a otros que canten amores,
Los otros que gocen; tú vuelve a partir.
Vè, viajero, no vuelvas el rostro,
Que no hay llanto que siga al adiós;
Vè, viajero, y ahoga tus penas;
Que el mundo se burla de ajeno dolor.
SONG OF THE WANDERER
Translated by Nick Joaquin
Dry leaf that flies at random
Till it's seized by a wind from above:
so lives on earth the wanderer,
without north, without soul, without country or love!
Anxious, he seeks joy everywhere
and joy eludes him and flees,
a vain shadow that mocks his yearning
and for which he sails the seas.
Impelled by a hand invisible,
he shall wander from place to place;
memories shall keep him company
of loved ones, of happy days.
A tomb perhaps in the desert,
a sweet refuge, he shall discover,
by his country and the world forgotten
Rest quiet: the torment is over.
And they envy the hapless wanderer
as across the earth he persists!
Ah, they know not of the emptiness
in his soul, where no love exists.
The pilgrim shall return to his country,
shall return perhaps to his shore;
and shall find only ice and ruin,
perished loves, and graves nothing more.
Begone, wanderer! In your own country,
a stranger now and alone!
Let the others sing of loving,
who are happy but you, begone!
Begone, wanderer! Look not behind you
nor grieve as you leave again.
Begone, wanderer: stifle your sorrows!
the world laughs at another's pain.
In commemoration of the 159th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, Sentro Rizal-Toronto of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto is pleased to present a reading of "Awit ng Biyahero" (Canto Del Viajero by Dr. Jose Rizal, translated by Virgilio S. Almario) by Mr. John Dominick Santos Guballa, a Filipino Phd student in Earth Sciences at the University of Toronto.
Press release : Sa Kuwento Natin
FilipinoSa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa itong Agosto 2020, inihahandog ng Sentro Rizal ng Pambansang Komisyon para sa Kultura at mga Sining (NCCA) ang Sa Kuwento Natin: E-Storytelling ng mga Katutubo at Orihinal na Alamat ng Filipinas, tampok ang mga panitikang-bayang muling isinalaysay ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining para sa Panitikan na si Virgilio S. Almario.
Ang Sa Kuwento Natin ay itatampok tuwing Sabado, ika-6 ng gabi (PHT), sa Sentro Rizal - NCCA Youtube Channel ngayong buong buwan ng Agosto. Matutunghayan sa bawat kabanata ang isang kuwento mula mga katutubo at original na alamat ng Filipinas, na itatanghal naman ng iba't ibang mga mananalaysay at ilustrador.
Inaanyayahan namin ang lahat ng Filipino tulad ng ating mga kababayan sa ibayong dagat at ang ating mga kabataan, na tangkilikin at ipamahagi ang mayamang panitikan ng ating bayan na matutunghayan dito sa E-Storytelling.
Para sa karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa mga programa ng Sentro Rizal, maaaring bumisita sa NCCA website at i-follow ang aming social media accounts: Facebook (facebook.com/nccaofficial) at Instagram (@sentrorizalph, @nccaofficial).
Sa Kuwento Natin Kabanata 1: Si Manama at si Ogassi
English
In celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa this August 2020, Sentro Rizal of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) presents Sa Kuwento Natin: E-Storytelling of Indigenous Filipino Tales as retold by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario.
New episodes of Sa Kuwento Natin will be released every Saturday, 6:00 PM (PHT) on the Sentro Rizal - NCCA Youtube Channel for the whole month of August. Each episode features one story from indigenous Filipino tales, presented by various storytellers and illustrators.
We invite all Filipinos especially our kababayans overseas, and the youth in general, to take delight in, and share these stories which are based on the rich narratives of our indigenous peoples.
For further information about Sentro Rizal, you may visit the NCCA website and follow our social media accounts: Facebook (facebook.com/nccaofficial) and Instagram (@sentrorizalph, @nccaofficial).
Sa Kuwento Natin Kabanata 1: Si Manama at si Ogassi
QUARANTINIG: Patimpalak sa Pag-awit
Mabuhay mula sa Pambansang Komisyon para sa Kultura at mga Sining (NCCA)!
Sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa ngayong 2020, malugod kayong
inaanyayahan ng NCCA na lumahok sa QuaranTinig: Patimpalak sa Pag-awit na magaganap
ngayong Agosto. Ito ay magtatampok ng mga awiting gamit ang wikang Filipino. Ang patimpalak
sa pag-awit ay bukas sa lahat ng Overseas Filipinos at mga interesadong dayuhan na sakop ng mga
Sentro Rizal.
Sentro Rizal QuaranTinig: Patimpalak sa Pag-Awit
in Celebration of Buwan ng Wika
- Rationale
Following the migration of cultural activities to online platforms to accommodate the requirements and challenges of the "new normal", the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) International Affairs Section - Sentro Rizal (IAS) is now implementing new modalities for cultural engagement with overseas Filipino communities and interested foreign nationals across the globe. Thus, the IAS has come up with an online singing competition dubbed Sentro Rizal QuaranTinig: Patimpalak sa Pag-Awit.
- Description of the Competition
In celebration of Buwan ng Wika, Sentro Rizal Filipinas under the auspices of the NCCA presents QuaranTinig: Patimpalak sa Pag-Awit - an online singing competition that highlights Original Pilipino Music (OPM) that uses the Filipino language.
The NCCA will partner with Foreign Service Posts with a Sentro Rizal to promote the contest via online platforms. The process of the contest will similarly be done online, from submission of entries to selection and announcement of winners.
- Objectives
The competition aims to:
- Introduce a platform for all Filipinos overseas to showcase their musical talent and appreciation for original Filipino music and the Filipino language.
- Promote Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and the Filipino language through online platforms both locally and internationally.
- Encourage overseas Filipinos and interested foreign nationals to celebrate Buwan ng Wika by participating in the music competition.
- Help fulfill the mandate of the NCCA to promote Filipino arts and culture worldwide, through its Sentro Rizal Program.
- Padayon: The NCCA Hour
- Sa Kwento Natin E-Storytelling (tuwing Sabado ng buong Agosto)
∗ Each SR site has to create its own e-dropbox or identify an email address for receiving entries to be announced to own constituents (no. 9 of Mechanics to be revised by FSP to indicate the email address/drop box prior to dissemination of information) ∗ Submission of entries from Sentro Rizal Sites/FSPs to NCCA is on 24 August 2020 (PHST)
REGISTRATION FORM and VIDEO CONSENT RELEASE FORM 
SENTRO RIZAL TORONTO'S SPECIAL SCREENING OF DANCING MANILENYOS
In celebration of Buwan ng Wika and to honor all frontline workers, the Consulate General of the Philippines in Toronto is pleased to announce Sentro Rizal Toronto's special screening of Dancing Manilenyos via its official website and Facebook page. The digital platform is being utilized to enable the continuous promotion of Philippine culture and arts overseas, while adapting to the "new normal" brought about by the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Dancing Manilenyos is a multi-awarded film by Dr. Patrick Alcedo, Associate Professor in the Department of Dance of the York University. The film won an Impact Doc Award, a Spotlight Documentary Film Award, a Global Shorts Award of Merit, and a Hollywood International Independent Documentary Award. It was also officially selected at three (3) international film festivals as the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival in 2018, the Ethnografilm in Paris France in 2019, and the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase, also in 2019.
The following are the details of the special screening of Dancing Manilenyos:
Date & Time: 15 August 2020 (Saturday), 8:00 pm
Replay on: 30 August 2020 (Sunday), 8:00 pm
How to Access: www.philcongen-toronto.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinToronto
Link to Trailer: https://vimeo.com/331559657/e56e1231e8
Synopsis: In Manila, a group of young Filipinos dreams of making it big in the ballet world. Victor, who comes from a poor family, and Monica from a privileged background are among them. In this city that is one of the world’s most populated, the difference between those who have and those who have not is painfully extreme. Amidst Manila’s disparate social class, ballet teacher Luther hopes to lift his students out of poverty through artistic and life skills one learns from dancing.
Dr. Alcedo is the director, writer, and producer of six (6) documentary films. His other film A Piece of Paradise won both “Centennial Best Canadian Film Award and the National Bank First Feature Film Award, the first film in the festival to have garnered a back-to-back win. He was also the Artistic Director of the Philippine Consulate General-Sentro Rizal Toronto’s dance production, INDAK, that was presented to the Filipino Canadian community in June 2018.
Please feel free to share this to your family, friends, and members of your organizations.
6 August 2020
SELEBRASYON NG BUWAN NG WIKA
Mabuhay mula sa Pambansang Komisyon Para sa Kultura at mga Sining (NCCA)!Sa pakikiisa sa selebrasyon ng Buwan ng Wika ngayong Agosto, nais po namin kayong bigyan ng mga online links ukol sa mga programa ng Komisyon at iba pang mga ahensyang pang-kultura na makakatulong sa patuloy na pagsulong ng ating kultura at sining sa ibang bansa:
NCCA
CCP
NHCP
NM
TBA Studios
TP
IA Virtual Tours/Exhibits
International Affairs Section - Sentro Rizal National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) 633 General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
SENTRO RIZAL TORONTO'S SPECIAL SCREENING OF DANCING MANILENYOS
SENTRO RIZAL TORONTO'S SPECIAL SCREENING OF DANCING MANILENYOS
In celebration of Buwan ng Wika and to honor all frontline workers, the Consulate General of the Philippines in Toronto is pleased to announce Sentro Rizal Toronto's special screening of Dancing Manilenyos via its official website and Facebook page. The digital platform is being utilized to enable the continuous promotion of Philippine culture and arts overseas, while adapting to the "new normal" brought about by the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Dancing Manilenyos is a multi-awarded film by Dr. Patrick Alcedo, Associate Professor in the Department of Dance of the York University. The film won an Impact Doc Award, a Spotlight Documentary Film Award, a Global Shorts Award of Merit, and a Hollywood International Independent Documentary Award. It was also officially selected at three (3) international film festivals as the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival in 2018, the Ethnografilm in Paris France in 2019, and the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase, also in 2019.
The following are the details of the special screening of Dancing Manilenyos:
Date & Time: 15 August 2020 (Saturday), 8:00 pm
Replay on: 30 August 2020 (Sunday), 8:00 pm
How to Access: www.philcongen-toronto.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinToronto
Link to Trailer: https://vimeo.com/331559657/e56e1231e8
Synopsis: In Manila, a group of young Filipinos dreams of making it big in the ballet world. Victor, who comes from a poor family, and Monica from a privileged background are among them. In this city that is one of the world’s most populated, the difference between those who have and those who have not is painfully extreme. Amidst Manila’s disparate social class, ballet teacher Luther hopes to lift his students out of poverty through artistic and life skills one learns from dancing.
Dr. Alcedo is the director, writer, and producer of six (6) documentary films. His other film A Piece of Paradise won both "Centennial Best Canadian Film Award and the National Bank First Feature Film Award, the first film in the festival to have garnered a back-to-back win. He was also the Artistic Director of the Philippine Consulate General-Sentro Rizal Toronto's dance production, INDAK, that was presented to the Filipino Canadian community in June 2018.
.
Please feel free to share this to your family, friends, and members of your organizations.
6 August 2020
HARANA, Sentro Rizal Toronto's Offering to Frontline Workers in celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa
DFA to Hold Virtual Events in Celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, Kasaysayan
12 August 2020 MANILA - The month of August is a month of pride for the Philippines as the country commemorates the "Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa" and "Buwan ng Kasaysayan". In commemoration of these two national occasions, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will hold virtual celebrations that will highlight our country's rich language and history.
In collaboration with the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC), the DFA will broadcast on its Facebook page two online lectures that will deepen the understanding of Philippine history through "Countdown to 500 Online Lectures Live."
The first lecture for this month entitled, "Our Ancestors and World Trade in Pre-Hispanic Times," was broadcast yesterday; while the second lecture, "From Magellan to Quezon: Our Heritage of Compassion," will be on 19 August 2020. Both online live lecture series will be streamed live at 10:00 a.m. via the NQC Official Facebook page and cross-posted on the DFA Official Facebook page (https://facebook.com/dfaphl) where the lectures can be viewed after broadcast as well.
Aside from the online lecture series, a lecture and workshop on the Philippine indigenous scripts will be held by the DFA on its official Facebook page as well on 22 August 2020, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The workshop entitled, "Sulat Sinauna: Talakayan Tungkol sa mga Sinaunang Sulat ng Bansa" will begin with a short lecture on ancient Philippine scripts by National Historical Commission of the Philippines Senior Researcher Ian Christopher B. Alfonso, followed by the workshop proper on Baybayin, led by Mr. Leo Emmanuel Castro of Hibla Sanghabi. The workshop will then conclude with an open forum wherein participants can feed their curiosity and engage in discussion with the Philippine script experts.
The workshop, which is open to everyone located here and abroad, is in collaboration with Project Saysay, a non-government youth organization that actively champions popularization and visualization of Philippine history since 2013.
While the workshop is free for all who wish to view it, those who want to actively participate and receive a certificate at the end of the session may register for free through https://forms.gle/wY2WYULeKvswg6g99.
The online events, which are held in view of the challenges brought about by the pandemic, are led by the DFA Office of Strategic Communications and Research - Cultural Diplomacy Division. END
This month of August, join the Philippines in celebrating its rich language and history!
Join “Sulat Sinauna: Talakayan Tungkol sa mga Sinaunang Sulat ng Bansa,” a special lecture on Philippine indigenous scripts and workshop on Baybayin on 22 August 2020, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (PH Time)
To actively participate and get a certificate after the workshop, register online for FREE at https://forms.gle/wY2WYULeKvswg6g99 until 21 August 2020 or until the 100 slots are filled.
Maligayang Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa!
Sentro Rizal Toronto Presents Certificate of Appreciation to Ron Michael Adea, Featured Artist at Sentro Rizal Toronto's Harana
PR-48-2020
2 September 2020, Toronto, Ontario - On 28 August 2020, capping the celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, Sentro Rizal Toronto of the Philippine Consulate General, led by Consul General Orontes Castro, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Ron Michael Adea, one of the featured artists at Sentro Rizal Toronto's musical concert, Harana. Sentro Rizal Toronto presented the virtual musical concert, from 21 August 2020 to 31 August 2020, in celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa and in honor of frontline workers, via the Consulate General's official website and Facebook page.
Consul General Castro awarded the Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Adea in recognition of his awesome performance and professional participation in Harana, and for being an active partner of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto. Consul General Castro mentioned during the awarding ceremony that Mr. Adea unselfishly shared his great talent in playing the piano, promoting Philippine culture and music, and inspiring many in the process. Mr. Adea was accompanied by his family, parents Mr. Romeo Adea, Jr. and Mrs. Lucy Adea, and uncle Mr. Leo Adea.
In November 2010, Ron was named Ambassador for the Geneva Center for Autism Symposium in Toronto and performed the following year for the Centre's Gala Night and Auction at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Just last year, Mr. Adea performed at a World Autism Awareness Day event hosted by Jake's House at Sony Centre in Toronto. Mr. Adea, together with three (3) other musicians on the spectrum and Supertramp's Roger Hodgson and his band, performed on stage to an audience of 3000, to create a heartwarming version of the classic song, "Give a Little Bit".
Jake's House's awarded Mr. Adea the 2019 Legend of Distinction, an honour reserved for those who make outstanding contributions to their community. At the awarding ceremony at the Toronto Congress Centre, Mr. Adea delivered a speech and performed for the crowd of supporters.
To date, Harana has 7,942 reach, 4,506 views, and 2,332 engagements. Sentro Rizal Toronto looks forward to doing more projects with Mr. Adea in the years to come. END
