Advisories & News
Press Release
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO AND YORK UNIVERSITY SIGN DEED OF DONATION TO IMPLEMENT A PHILIPINE STUDIES PROGRAM
2022-11-22
PRESS RELEASE NO. 43
21 November 2022, Toronto – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and York University signed a Deed of Donation to implement a Philippine Studies Program. Through the Deed of Donation, the Philippine Government will donate PhP5,000,000.00 or around CAD$116,000.00 to York University.
Consul General Orontes V. Castro signed in behalf of the Philippine Government while Dr. Rhonda L. Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor of York University, led the signing for the University. The objective of the program is to enhance people-to-people relations between the Philippines and Canada through academic programs, projects, and activities related to Filipino history, cultures, and society.
The donation was made possible through the initiative of the Honorable Loren Legarda, Senator and President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines.
In a message read by Consul General Castro, Senator Legarda highlighted her advocacy for cultural diplomacy and the importance of academic engagements in strengthening bilateral relations between the Philippines and Canada. “The Philippine Studies Program at York University will highlight the relevance of the academe in enhancing our countries’ relations and opening opportunities for more collaboration in various fields,” Senator said in her message.
Likewise, Dr. Lenton, in her remarks, conveyed the University’s deep appreciation for the donation. She noted that the implementation of a Philippine Studies program at York University highlights the mutually-shared values between the Philippines and Canada; and will lead to further cooperation on higher education.
Consul General Castro, for his part, noted that the donation will go a long way in promoting Philippine culture and cooperation between the Philippines and Canada, especially with the increasing number of Filipinos in Canada based on the latest partial results of the 2021 Census conducted by Statistics Canada.
Projects and activities which are expected to be implemented under the program include lectures, enhancement of the Filipiniana collection of the University, research and publication; and institutionalization of a Philippine studies course.
The signing of the Deed of Donation was attended by York University officials, professors, and students; officials of the Consulate General; and leaders of the Filipino-Canadian community. OMNI News in Canada covered the event and the TV coverage can be accessed at
https://www.facebook.com/OMNIFilipino/videos/973720674018873/
