Advisories & News
Press Release
Toronto PCG Commemorates the 124th Philippine Independence Day with Flag Raising Ceremonies at the Toronto City Hall and Brampton City Hall
2022-06-14
PR-2022-31
Toronto, 12 June – On the occasion of the 124th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence, as well as the celebration of the National Flag Week and the Filipino Heritage Month in Canada, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and the Philippine Independence Day Flag Raising Committee held the Philippine Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony 2022 at the Nathan Philips Square in front of the historic Toronto City Hall starting at 8:30 AM on 12 June 2022. The event was also for the National Flag Day and the Filipino Heritage Month celebration in Canada. The Filipino Heritage Month was proclaimed in the Toronto City Council on 08 November 2017.
The Philippine flag raising ceremony was led by Consul General Orontes V. Castro and City of Toronto Mayor John Tory with other local government officials, including Councillor James Pasternak and Toronto Medical Officer of Health Eileen Patricia De Villa, who all gave their support and joined in the celebration with the Filipino-Canadian community and the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General and the personnel of the Philippine government agencies
In his remarks, Mayor John Tory acknowledged the important contributions of the Filipino-Canadian community to Toronto, especially during the height of the pandemic. He requested the continued warmth and support of the Filipino community in the future development of the City of Toronto. He presented Consul General Castro with a Proclamation recognizing the outstanding contributions of the Filipino community to the City of Toronto.
During the Philippine flag-raising ceremony, Consul General Orontes V. Castro also conveyed appreciation for the support of the local government to the Filipino community and presented Mayor John Tory with the Quincentennial Award for his continued support to the Filipino community.
The Philippine flag was proudly hoisted in front of the Filipino community, and the officers and members of the Ontario Filipino Women’s Club, Cavitenos of Canada, National Congress of Filipino Canadian Associations, Philippine Independence Day Council, Knights of Rizal, Kababaihang Rizalista, Muslim Filipino Association of Canada, Partido Federal Party, and IPEN and OFWC Beauties.
Flag raising in the City of Brampton
Immediately after the flag-raising at the City Hall of Toronto, Consul General Castro joined City of Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, Regional Councillor Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor Paul Vicente, Councillor Jeff Bowman, and the Filipino community in raising the Philippine flag at the Brampton City Hall.
In his remarks, Mayor Brown thanked the Filipinos for their positive and significant contributions to the development of the City of Brampton. He then presented Consul General Castro with a Proclamation recognizing “Filipino Canadians have contributed tremendously to the socio-economic fabric of Brampton.”
Consul General Castro presented Mayor Brown and Regional Councillor with a Quincentennial Award for their invaluable and dedicated service to the Filipino community in the City of Brampton.
Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show
Consul General Castro and Mayor Tory were the guests of honor in the afternoon at the Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show in Albert Campbell Square, Scarborough, Toronto. The event was sponsored by the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation (PCCF). It was traditionally held annually at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre by the PCCF to raise funds to support indigents in the Philippines and Canada. This event was held virtually for more than two years due to the pandemic. This year, the event was held outdoors and offered free to the general public.
The Pinoy Fiesta is a celebration of Philippine arts and culture, Filipino Heritage Month and the Philippine Independence Day. The event featured non-stop entertainment and it showcased Filipino food, art and culture.
The celebrations of Philippine Independence Day and Filipino Heritage Month in the City of Toronto were covered by the OMNI News and can be accessed at
https://www.facebook.com/OMNIFilipino/videos/393273932755124/ and
https://www.facebook.com/OMNIFilipino/videos/1168473747330244/
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