Advisories & News
Press Release
Philcongen Toronto Joins Canadian Officials in Supporting Filipino-owned Businesses in Bathurst, Toronto
2021-12-22
Toronto, 22 December 2021 – Philippine Consul General Orontes V. Castro joined today Canada’s Member of Parliament Honourable Salma Zahid (Scarborough Centre), Member of Parliament Honurable Ya’ara Saks (York Centre), and Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak (Ward 6 York Centre) in expressing full support and in promoting Filipino-owned businesses in the Bathurst area of the City of Toronto, which is the site of the yearly “Taste of Manila” festivities during the summer season. The Bathurst area is also known as “Little Manila” due to the presence of Filipino-owned businesses (SMEs) such as restaurants, remittance companies, barbershops, karaoke bars, and other small businesses.
The Harina Bakeshoppe (owned by Filipino Canadian business partners Danilo Hernandez and Jen dela Cruz) has been chosen by Councillor Pasternak and the organizers of the “Taste of Manila” to launch the councillor’s “Business Improvement Area” (BIA) in Wilson Avenue that includes the Bathurst area. The Wilson Village BIA has been working on a Masterplan for Wilson Avenue with a community consultation to showcase the capital improvements scheduled for implementation over the next several years. Designated areas along the Wilson corridor will feature sitting areas with new street furniture, lighting and artwork to improve the overall look of the area and boost development and investment.
In brief remarks, Consul General Castro commended the Filipino Canadian business owners of Harina Bakeshoppe and other businesses in the Bathurst area for their effort to continue their business venture despite the on-going pandemic. He underscored the significance of the entrepreneurship spirit of those behind the bread store and that it will surely become a role model for the growing population of Filipinos in the Province of Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area in particular, to also start their own businesses. MPs Zahid and Saks, and Councilor Pasternak likewise lauded the business owners of Harina Bakeshoppe and other Filipino-owned businesses for their effort to continue their business operation despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic. END-
