Advisories & News
Press Release
AMBASSADOR AUSTRIA MEETS WITH FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN MANITOBA, LEADS WREATH LAYING AT RIZAL MONUMENT IN WINNIPEG
2024-04-16
Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria gives her message during the town hall meeting
06-07 April 2024, Winnipeg – Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria held multiple meetings with the Filipino community (Filcom) from 06 to 07 April 2024 as part of her official visit to Manitoba. It was her first visit to Manitoba as Philippine Ambassador to Canada.
The Ambassador had a town hall meeting with different Filipino community organizations at the Holiday Inn Winnipeg. Among the matters discussed were the Filcom’s petition for a career Philippine Consulate in Manitoba, the need to engage Filipinos living in rural areas of the province, and the promotion of Philippine culture and local Filipino businesses.
Ambassador Austria encouraged the Filcom to be more active in the public policy and decision-making processes in their respective communities and in advocating for the interests of Filipinos. The Ambassador also encouraged the Filcom to organize activities to mark the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations this year.
The Ambassador held separate meetings with a group of Filipino nurses and a group of Filipino international students. The discussions with the nurses centered on credentials recognition while discussions with the international students focused on their status given the recent changes in the immigration policies of Canada.
Ambassador Austria was joined by Consul General Angelica Escalona, Deputy Head of Mission Myca Magnolia Fischer, Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague, Honorary Consul Ronaldo Opina, Welfare Officer Benny Reyes and SSS Representative Lucille Simbol during the meetings.
On 06 April, the Ambassador had the opportunity to meet Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, recognized as a trailblazer for being the first Filipino Canadian elected to the House of Commons and appointed to several Cabinet positions. Dr. Pagtakhan shared his personal migration story and path into politics and expressed his readiness to help in planning activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations.
The Ambassador led a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal monument in Winnipeg with the Knights of Rizal on 07 April. Member of Parliament (Winnipeg North) Kevin Lamoureux and Member of Legislative Assembly (Tyndall Park) Cindy Lamourex also attended the ceremony.
According to Canada’s 2021 Census, Manitoba has the highest proportion of Filipinos on a per capita basis, with Filipinos comprising 6.78% or 90,045 of the provincial population of 1,342,153. END
A FILCOM leader asks a question during the town hall meeting.
Meeting with Filipino Nurses
Meeting with Filipino International Students
Meeting with Dr. Rey Pagtakhan (seated, second from right)
Wreath Laying at the Rizal Monument in Winnipeg with MP Kevin Lamoureux (5th from right) and MLA Cindy Lamoureux (4th from left) and the Knights of Rizal