Press Release

Beyond the Classroom Experiential Education Program for Elementary Students of the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Elementary School

2023-03-01

PRESS RELEASE NO. 2023-08

24 February 2023, Toronto – The Philippine Consulate General recently hosted the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Elementary School as part of the school’s “Beyond the Classroom Experiential Program” for its elementary students on 24 February 2023.

During the visit, Consul General Orontes V. Castro gave a presentation to the 16 students on the Philippines including its geography, history and national costumes, highlighting the cultural heritage of the Philippines. Consul General Castro also took the opportunity to congratulate Principal Roy Fernandes on his promotion to the position of Superintendent during the presentation.

Mr. Garry Tanuan, Trustee of the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), also attended the program as the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Elementary School is one of the schools he represents. The TCDSB is the largest Catholic District School Board based in Canada and about one third (1/3) of its 92,000 Canadian students are of Filipino descent.

The 16 students, accompanied by Teachers Marie Claire Mukankubana, Barb Stoner and Connie Chan, actively participated in the program by posing questions about the Philippines such as the number of islands of the Philippines, the significance of the colors of the Philippine flag and the wars that the Philippines fought. These questions were enthusiastically replied by Consul General Castro.

The Philippine Consulate General was the second Consulate General in Toronto that the students visited after Sri Lanka according to Superintendent Fernandes.

Consul General Castro awarded certificates of appreciation to Superintendent Fernandes, Trustee Tanuan and Teachers Mukankubana, Stoner and Chan; while each student received a certificate of attendance. The students excitedly feasted on the Jollibee meal that was served to them. The students and school officials were delighted to know the presence of Canadian multinational coffee house and restaurant chain Tim Hortons in the Philippines.

The experiential program is one of the cultural diplomacy activities of the Consulate General for this year and as part of its continuing partnership program with the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). END

(Left to Right – Trustee Garry Tanuan, Consul General Orontes V. Castro and Superintendent Roy Fernandes with the students of the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Elementary School)

(Left photo: Consul General Orontes V. Castro giving a power point presentation on the Philippines; Right photo: The students were invited to a tour of the processing area of the Consulate General)

The students receiving their Certificates of Attendance and tokens composed of Philippine Map, a Philippine Flag, A Book from Mama Sita” What Kids Should know About Filipino Food” and a Travelite Magazine “Its More Fun in the Philippines from Consul General Orontes V. Castro)

(Clockwise right photo: Consul General Orontes V. Castro awarding Superintendent Roy Fernandes a Certificate of Appreciation for partnering with the Philippine Consulate General for the “Beyond the Classroom Experiental Program of the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Elementary School”; Trustee Garry Tanuan receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Consul General Orontes V. Castro for assisting the Philippine Consulate General during the “Beyond the Classroom Experiental Program of the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Elementary School”; Teacher Connie Chan and Teacher Marie Claire Mukankubana receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Consul General Orontes V. Castro for assisting the Philippine Consulate General during the the “Beyond the Classroom Experiental Program of the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Elementary School)

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