The Consulate’s outreach team provided consular services to 88 applicants who availed of services for ePassport renewal, notarization of documents, civil registry submission and dual citizenship application. This includes 15 former Filipinos and their dependents who took their oath to re-acquire their Filipino citizenship under Republic Act 9225.

The Social Security System (SSS)-Toronto also provided services to its members during the special outreach.

The Philippine Consulate General conducts special consular outreach services in areas outside Toronto with a high concentration of Filipinos to reach out and provide services to the most number of Filipinos. “Maraming salamat po for the consular outreach near where we live, it saves us so much time and money instead of going to the city” said one of the applicants.

MINISTER OF INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE AND MP MARCO MENDICINO MEET WITH OFFICIALS OF THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO HOLDS CONSULAR OUTREACH MISSION IN WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

Two batches of RA 9225 applicants in Winnipeg took their oath allegiance for the retention/reacquisition of Philippine citizenship before Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin. They were encouraged to register for overseas voting, to apply for new PH passports, and to report significant events in their families, including births and marriages.

30 September 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto conducted its third consular outreach mission to Winnipeg, Manitoba this year on 29-30 September. The two-day outreach was held at the Holiday Inn Express Winnipeg Airport – Polo Park, in partnership with Philippine Consul ad honorem in Winnipeg, Ronaldo Opina.

The outreach team provided a range of consular services to members of the Winnipeg community, as well as neighboring towns and cities in Manitoba including Brandon, Neepawa, and Steinbach, and even Newfoundland, who have difficulty coming to the Consulate in Toronto because of the sheer distance, restrictive schedules, or mobility issues. These services include passport renewals, notarial services, civil registration submissions, and dual citizenship applications.

The consular team rendered a total of 735 consular services, including 125 Overseas Voter (OV) registration requests on the last two days of OV registration. Ninety-nine (99) former Filipinos took their oath of allegiance to retain/reacquire their Filipino citizenship under Republic Act 9225.

The team, led by Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin, briefed the clients on the consular services provided by the Consulate, particularly on civil registration, as many are not familiar with the need to register with Philippine Foreign Service Posts births and marriages in Canada involving Filipinos. The briefing comes on the eve of the 35th National Statistics Month, which is celebrated every October.

Outreach clients were likewise informed about forthcoming events, including the 2025 Philippine elections and the ninth edition of the Winter Escapade on 9-18 February 2025, highlighting the theme “True North Goes North”.

The Philippine Consulate General will hold its fourth and final outreach to Winnipeg, Manitoba for 2024 in November. Other outreach missions are also scheduled for St. Catharines, Ontario on 19 October and Thunder Bay, Ontario on 23-24 November. These missions are part of the Consulate’s continuing efforts to bring its services closer to Filipino communities in Ontario and Manitoba.

Left photo: Clients availing of passport, notarial and civil registration services during the outreach mission
Right photo: Eligible Filipinos in Winnipeg registering for overseas voting on the last two days of OV registration

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL SPEARHEADS FIRST FILIPINO FILM CARAVAN IN TORONTO

Left to right- Siné Institute President Michaelangelo Masangkay, Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin, FDCP Executive Director of Film Philippines Joierie Pacumio, Consul General Angelica Escalona, FDCP Executive Assistant Marian Torre and Consul Rodney Jonas L. Sumague

28 September 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto in partnership with Siné Institute, York University and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) organized the two-part Filipino Film Caravan 2024 held on 7 September at The Royal Theater and on 27-28 September 2024 at The Nick Mirkopoulos Screening Room at York University (Keele Campus).

Scheduled to coincide with the Philippine Film Industry Month and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) which are both held in September each year, the Filipino Film Caravan is part of the Consulate General’s activities celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations. It was made possible through the Philippine Embassies Assistance Program (PEAP) of the FDCP.

The first installment had a very good turnout with some 369 members of the Filipino-Canadian community filling the 400-seater theater to watch the screening of the critically-acclaimed coming-of-age film Cleaners by Glenn Barit. The film, which is regarded as a paragon of Filipino contemporary film, was particularly well-received by millennials and Generation Z attendees, who said that they were able to relate to the theme of the film, which is about challenges faced by Filipino youth in the Philippines.

For the second installment, members of the Filipino-Canadian community, faculty members and students of York University were treated to both classic and contemporary Filipino cinema through the screening of the short film Living Things and feature film Ma’Rosa on 27 September, and the short documentary In Paglayag, feature film Tale of the Lost Boys, and feature documentary A Piece of Paradise on 28 September. The viewers, especially first and second generation immigrants in Canada, applauded the documentary A Piece of Paradise, which was reminiscent of their own challenges when they migrated to Canada.

Both events opened with a video message from FDCP Chairman Jose Javier Reyes, which highlighted the importance of film in promoting greater understanding between the Philippines and Canada and of the Filipino-Canadian diaspora. “It is through the medium of film that we can grasp each other’s mindsets better… that the Filipino and the Canadian can understand each other better, but more so for the Filipino-Canadians to understand their Filipino roots and for the Filipinos back home to understand the voice of you Filipino-Canadians,” Chairman Reyes emphasized.

FDCP Executive Director of Film Philippines Joierie Ann Pacumio, who was in Toronto to attend and support Philippine films featured at the TIFF, also took the Caravan as an opportunity to provide attendees information on incentives and co-production opportunities available for foreign filmmakers in the Philippines. This year’s TIFF featured Filipino films Bona, Sunshine and Vox Humana, and Filipino co-produced films, Viet and Nam and Don’t Cry Butterfly.END

Left to right: The signage at The Royal Theater of the Filipino Film Caravan; FDCP Executive Director Joierie Pacumio giving a talk on film incentives and co-production opportunities available for foreign filmmakers in the Philippines. Below: Moviegoers at The Royal Theater.

Members of the Filipino-Canadian community, faculty members and students at York University during the two-day Filipino Film Caravan at The Nick Mirkopoulos Screening Room

COMMUNITY FORUM IN TORONTO DISCUSS WAYS TO HELP PROTECT THE PHILIPPINES’ MARITIME HERITAGE

Dr. Deo Onda of the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute giving a presentation on the West Philippine Sea

22 September 2024, Toronto – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Toronto (UPAAT), conducted a community forum on the West Philippine Sea in observance of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo). The forum was the last stop of a roadshow for MANA Mo initiated by the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in Canada led by the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa.

In her welcome remarks, Consul General Angelica C. Escalona explained the need to raise awareness about the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and its importance to the Philippines and the rest of the world. The Consul General shared a quote from the forum’s main speaker, Dr. Deo Onda, who said “The more you know, the more you care. And the more you care, the more you will act.”

In a recorded video presentation, Professor Jay Batongbacal, Director of the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, described the significance of the WPS as part of the broader South China Sea (SCS). He also gave an overview of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitration Award, and the importance of these on the Philippines’ maritime entitlements in the WPS.

Dr. Onda, Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute, emphasized that the Philippines is an archipelagic nation and that it is important for Filipinos in Canada to recognize their roots and heritage as a maritime people. It is a heritage that they should be proud of as the Philippines, which is located at the center of the coral reef triangle, is the epicenter of marine biodiversity. As such, protecting the WPS and its rich resources is important not just to the Philippines but to the rest of the world. “It is an inheritance that the Filipino people is giving to the world”, Dr. Onda remarked.

An open forum followed which began with reactions from Professor Philip Kelly of York University and Ms. Olivia Camacho of UPAAT. Discussions centered on what the Filipino diaspora can do to help protect the Philippine’s maritime heritage, especially in the WPS. The recommendations include helping raise awareness and mobilize support on the WPS to amplify the Philippine position for a rules-based order in the region. Another recommendation is supporting efforts for the training of Filipino scientists and oceanographers and for marine scientific research in the Philippines.

The community forum was attended by around 80 members of Filipino community organizations and student groups who described the forum as enlightening and inspiring. END

(left to right) Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin, UPAAT President Agnes Manasan, Ms. Olivia Camacho of UPAAT, Consul General Angelica Escalona, Dr. Onda, Professor Philip Kelly of York University, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate and Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague

Attendees during the community forum with Consul General Escalona and Dr. Onda

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO HOLDS CONSULAR OUTREACH MISSION IN WINDSOR AND LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO

Clients in Windsor and Leamington availing of the different services provided during the Outreach Mission. The Consular Team with FCCI Officers and volunteers

20 September 2024 – As part of its regular schedule of providing consular services to the Filipinos under its jurisdiction, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto conducted a consular outreach mission to Windsor and Leamington, Ontario on 14-15 September 2024. The outreach was conducted in coordination with the Filipino Community Centre, Inc. (FCCI) of Windsor and the South Essex Community Council of Leamington. Post rendered a combined total of 183 consular services, including overseas voter registration.

The consular outreach teams provided a range of consular services to the Filipino community residing in Southeastern Ontario, and even Filipinos living in the Metropolitan Detroit area who have difficulty coming to the Consulate because of distance, restrictive schedules or mobility issues. The consular team rendered a total of 183 consular services, including 57 Overseas Voter registration requests. Twenty seven (25) former Filipinos (along with 2 minor dependents) took their oath of allegiance to retain/reacquire their Filipino citizenship under Republic Act 9225.

Representatives of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Philippine Social Security System (SSS) based in Toronto also accompanied the consular team to offer and render their services to new and existing clients.

The Philippine Consulate General is scheduled to hold more outreach missions to Winnipeg, Manitoba on 29-30- September 2024, as part of continuing efforts to bring its services closer to Filipino communities in Ontario and Manitoba. END

PH CONSUL GENERAL IN TORONTO ENCOURAGES CANADA TO PARTNER IN ENSURING CLEAN, AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE ENERGY FOR FILIPINOS

Consul General Angelica Escalona (leftmost) provides an overview of the Philippines’ clean energy transition roadmap in a Panel Discussion moderated by CABC Co-Chair Jan Da Silva (rightmost)

11 September 2024 – Consul General Angelica C. Escalona addressed government and industry leaders as a panelist at the Climate Tech Breakfast Series: Can Nuclear Technology Superpower Ontario’s Cleantech Economy? organized by the Toronto Region Board of Trade at The Quay in Toronto.

In the session moderated by Ms. Jan Da Silva, Canadian Co-Chair of the Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and Canada’s Representative to the APEC Business Advisory Council, Consul General Escalona provided an overview of the Philippines’ clean energy transition roadmap and the expected role of nuclear energy in the process. As one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, she noted that “we would need more affordable and more reliable power. Nuclear energy done right will be a great enabler for the government and the private sector.”

The Philippine energy roadmap for the next three decades envisions a greater share for renewable energy (RE) and includes nuclear energy in the power generation mix. Specifically, the Philippines is looking to have 35 percent share of RE in the power generation mix by 2030, and 50 percent by 2040-2050. The country is also looking at a nuclear capacity of 1,200MW by 2032, 2,400MW by 2035, and 4,800MW by 2050, while transitioning and repurposing coal and increasing the capacity for offshore wind.

The Consul General underscored the Philippines’ interest in working with Canada and learning from Canada’s experience in the development of the country’s nuclear energy ecosystem.

“The Philippine government sees this as a whole-of-country initiative. We will need the support of industries, communities and other stakeholders to ensure maximum safety and efficiency. There is interest to cooperate with Canada on nuclear energy, and with Ontario in particular, which relies on nuclear for 60 percent of its power needs. The PH is technology neutral. We are exploring both traditional and advanced reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs), to find the best fit for us, always with the highest standards of safety, security and safeguards in mind. We need assistance in capacity building. There are so many aspects to address, from safety, to legal, environmental, funding and financing, human development, community involvement and research,” she said.

In closing, the Consul General raised two forthcoming important events in Manila where both sides may build on discussions on potential PH-Canada nuclear energy cooperation: the 2024 Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum on 13-15 November and the Team Canada Trade Mission to be led by The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Government of Canada on 4-6 December.

Consul General Angelica Escalona (6th from left) with representatives from Global Affairs Canada, CABC, AtkinsRéalis, and the ASEAN Consular and Commercial Corps in Toronto

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO LAUNCHES WINTER ESCAPADE 9 AT THE MABUHAY FESTIVAL

L-R: PAL Country Manager Allan Coo, Consul General Angelica Escalona, Agnes Lopez-Manasan, Rajah Tours Inc. President Jojo Clemente, Tourism Attaché Francisco Lardizabal

25 August 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto officially announced the ninth iteration of the Winter Escapade (WE9) on Sunday, 25 August 2024, at the Nathan Phillips Square in Downtown Toronto during the Mabuhay Philippines Festival.

Dubbed as “True North Goes North,” WE9 will take visitors from Manila to Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Baguio, and Pangasinan in northern Philippines from 9 to 18 February 2025 for a 10-day awe-inspiring, adventure-packed, fun-filled experience.

In her opening remarks, Consul General Angelica C. Escalona noted that the Winter Escapade is a flagship program of all Philippine Foreign Service Posts in Canada, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Rajah Tours Inc., and Philippine Airlines. It is specially designed for Canada-based travelers to discover new attractions and destinations in the Philippines and, for Filipinos and Filipino Canadians in particular, to rediscover and reconnect with their roots.

Consul General Escalona was joined by Tourism Attaché Francisco Lardizabal, Rajah Tours Inc. President Jose C. Clemente III, Philippine Airlines (PAL) Country Manager for Canada Allan Coo, and Filipino Community leader and two-time WE participant Agnes Lopez-Manasan.

They provided a brief overview of the WE9 tour package, shared PAL’s discounted airfare rates offered exclusively for the WE9 and Mabuhay Festival participants, and enjoined the audience to come and visit the Philippines as part of WE9.

Mabuhay Festival goers were able to learn more about the tour from the Department of Tourism and PAL booths onsite. Detailed information about Winter Escapade 9 may also be accessed at http://winterescapadeph.com/.

Bottom Left Photo: Consul General Angelica Escalona (center, seated) with DOT Assistant Secretary Maria Rica C. Bueno (2nd from right, seated) and officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO, DOT LAUNCH THE BISITA, BE MY GUEST AND INVITE FILIPINOS IN CANADA TO BE TOURISM AMBASSADORS

DOT Assistant Secretary Maria Rica C. Bueno provides an overview of the BBMG program

23 and 25 August 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) successfully launched the Love The Philippines campaign and Bisita, Be My Guest (BBMG) program in back-to-back events — a dinner reception on 23 August at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto and during the Mabuhay Festival organized by the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) at Nathan Phillips Square on 25 August.

The BBMG encourages Filipinos to invite their foreign friends and family members to visit the Philippines. In addition to the scenic destinations, exciting adventures, and warm hospitality that await travelers, DOT Assistant Secretary Maria Rica C. Bueno shared in her presentation that the program also offers the Filipino participants and their guests and invitees a chance to win special prizes in the next and final raffle draw in December. These include a condominium unit, holiday packages, roundtrip airline tickets, and shopping sprees.

The official program at the Four Seasons Hotel included a message from Consul General Angelica C. Escalona and video messages from Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The Philippine officials highlighted tourism as an important pillar for recovery post-pandemic and the invaluable role that overseas Filipinos can play in promoting the unique Filipino brand of service excellence.

Dinner reception attendees and festival goers were treated to lively performances by Philippines-based artists Poppert A. Bernadas, CJ Kaamiño and Princess Virtudazo, and Canada-based Ontario Streetdance Stars and the Culture Philippines of Ontario, trivia games about the Philippines, and raffle prizes and giveaways. Guests also experienced the flavors of Filipino homestyle cooking as part of the sumptuous buffet spread at Four Seasons Hotel and Pinoy street food from the Filipino and Filipino-Canadian vendors at the Mabuhay Festival.

The BBMG program runs until 30 November 2024. Details are available on the official website: https://bbmg.philippines.travel/.

L-R: Filipino artists CJ Kaamiño, Poppert A. Bernadas, and Princess Virtudazo showcase Filipino musicality; Program host Adriana Agcaoili asks guests trivia questions about the Philippines

L-R: Consul General Angelica Escalona (center), DOT ASec Bueno (4th from right) and Tourism Attaché Francisco Lardizabal (4th from left) with Consulate partners from the Filipino community; Consul General Escalona (2nd from left) with members of the Filipino community

EXHIBITION OF FILIPINO ARTIST RUSSEL TRINIDAD A.K.A DOKTOR KARAYOM FEATURED AT ONTARIO COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN UNIVERSITY’S ONSITE GALLERY

14 August 2024 – Consul General Angelica C. Escalona attended the opening of the No One’s at Home (Walang Tao Sa Bahay) exhibition of Filipino artist Russel Trinidad, also known as Doktor Karayom, at the Ontario College of Art and Design University’s (OCAD U) Onsite Gallery in Toronto.

OCAD University is Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university.

Doktor Karayom, a visiting artist at OCAD University from 21 July to 14 August 2024, is a recipient of the Ateneo Art Awards. The awards were established in 2004 by the Ateneo Art Gallery at Ateneo De Manila University to nurture and promote Philippine contemporary art by artists aged 36 and under, providing them with a platform to showcase their innovative work. The award offers winners opportunities for both local and international art residencies, and includes a partnership with OCAD University, which is its first Toronto residency.

The in-situ installation for No One’s at Home explores the spiritual essence of a home and the expectations of care and nurturing it entails.

The exhibition will be on view until 30 November 2024. For more information, please refer to https://www.ocadu.ca/event/doktor-karayom-no-ones-home-walang-tao-sa-bahay. (END)