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PCG TORONTO CONDUCTS WEBINAR ON THE ROLES OF FILIPINO WOMEN THROUGH THE CENTURIES
2021-12-07
PR-2021-71
03 December 2021, Toronto – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Consul General Orontes Castro, conducted a virtual seminar on the Roles of Filipino Women Through the Centuries.
The main speaker was Dr. Nathalie Africa-Verceles of the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS). Ambassador Rodolfo Robles of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa gave the welcome remarks in which he emphasized on the leadership role that women presently hold in almost all fields of society. Dr. Maria Cynthia Rose Bautista of the University of the Philippines (UP) also gave brief remarks on the role of women and lauded the U.P. Center for Women’s and Gender Studies for its various programs to advance the status and welfare of Filipino women.
During her lecture, Dr. Verceles discussed the evolution of the role of Filipino women in Philippine society from the pre-colonial until the present times. She noted that Filipino women were equal and, in some cases, even occupying higher roles than men. However, with the arrival of the Spaniards, the role of Filipino women was relegated to the household. Nevertheless, Filipino women were able to re-establish their role in Philippine society through several turning points in Philippine history.
The seminar also had distinguished reactors, including Member of Parliament Salma Zahid and Member of Provincial Parliament Dolly Begum. MP Zahid and MPP Begum both shared their experiences as migrants in Canada and how as women they were able to overcome the challenges and play a leadership role initially in their communities, and later at the provincial and federal levels.
Ms. B. Lynne Milgram of the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) University shared her studies on the involvement of Filipino women in alternative business enterprises which she noted is a good example how women are asserting themselves in society. Ms. Agnes Manasan of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association Toronto (UPAAT), for her part, noted that a new breed of Filipino-Canadian women is emerging as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Quincentennial Award was also presented by Consul General Castro to Dr. Verceles and Dr. Bautista at the end of the program for their advocacies in advancing and promoting the welfare and interest of Filipino women and their support to the Philippine Consulate General.
The webinar was moderated by Ms. Helen Chua Balderama of York University. Around 78 individuals attended the webinar, representing different Filipino-Canadian community organizations in Canada. END
Dr. Bautista, MP Zahid, MPP Begum, Dr. Milgram, Ms. Manasan and Ms. Balderama (bottom), the Moderator of the webinar, as well as all who attended “Being Pinay: The Roles of Filipino Women Through the Centuries”.