Advisories & News
Press Release
AMBASSADOR AUSTRIA MEETS WITH FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN VAUGHAN, ATTENDS EVENTS OF THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN TORONTO AND HAMILTON
2024-08-02
(Left photo) Ambassador Austria and Consul General Escalona with the members of the Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) (Right photo) Ambassador Austria (rightmost) and Consul General Escalona (third from left) at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Philippine Visual Arts and Heritage Exhibit at the FUN Philippines Toronto Food and Music Festival
27-28 July 2024 – Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria met with members of the Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) on 27 July at the Patricia Kemp Community Centre, accompanied by Consul General Angelica Escalona and Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague of the Philippine Consulate in Toronto. The city of Vaughan is home to more than 8,700 Filipinos.
During the meeting, the FCAV briefed Ambassador Austria on their projects, including those related to Vaughan’s sister city agreement with Baguio City. Ambassador Austria shared information about the programs of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and encouraged Filipinos in Vaughan to work together to advocate issues important to the community such as credentials recognition and the establishment of Filipino cultural centers across Canada.
Also on 27 July, Ambassador Austria attended the opening ceremony of the FUN Philippines Toronto Food and Music Festival, which was organized by the Philippine Legacy and Cultural Alliance and the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.
The ambassador joined a number of dignitaries including Senator Gigi Osler, Minister for Small Business Rechie Valdez, Minister for Mental Health Ya’ara Saks, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Member of Provincial Parliament Chris Glover in the ribbon cutting ceremony to open the Philippine Visual Arts and Heritage Exhibit “Bintana ng Lahi” that was held as part of the FUN Philippines festival.
On 28 July, Ambassador Austria attended the Hamilton Fiesta Extravaganza, which is part of a nine city series of festivals held every summer to celebrate Filipino heritage across Canada. The opening of the two-day Hamilton Fiesta Extravaganza was attended by Minister Valdez and many Hamilton officials. (END)
Ambassador Austria delivering her remarks at the opening ceremony of the Hamilton Fiesta Extravaganza