Advisories & News
Press Release
SECOND RECOGNITION FROM A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OR ITS AGENCY OF THE QUINCENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN THE PHILIPPINES:
2020-10-07
PR 58-2020
DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (DPCDSB) APPROVES THE PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING THE QUINCENTENNIAL JUBILEE OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE PHILIPPINES IN ALL SCHOOLS AT THE DPCDSB
30 September 2020 Toronto, Ontario – Another recognition by an agency of the Canadian government of the Quincentennial Jubilee of Christianity in the Philippines was secured by Toronto PCG with the strong support of the Filipino-Canadian Community on the approval of a Proclamation to celebrate the landmark event in all schools in the Dufferin-Peel region, during the Regular Board Meeting of the Trustees of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board held on 29 September 2020.
Report Number H.5 of the Agenda of the Board Meeting was submitted by the Faith and Program Committee of the DPCDSB to the Board of Trustees, which is the Motion on the issuance of the Proclamation recognizing the 500th Anniversary of the Arrival of Christianity to the Philippines and celebrating the event in DPCDSB schools during the 2020-2021 school year. The Motion also recommended the appointment of Mississauga Wards 6 and 11 Trustee Luz del Rosario as the DPCDSB Representative on the Toronto Organizing Committee-Quincentenary Jubilee of Christianity in the Philippines (TOC-QJCP).
The Motion was brought to the Board by Trustee Luz del Rosario. Trustee Del Rosario is a Filipino Canadian elected Trustee at the DPCDSB. Post has been in close coordination with Trustee del Rosario regarding the Proclamation.
The Proclamation recognizes the pivotal role of the Philippine Consulate General in raising and maintaining awareness of Philippine Heritage and culture among the young Filipino Canadians by encouraging their active participations in the Quincentennary events and activities.
The DPCDSB is one of the largest and most diverse school districts in Ontario with approximately 80,000 students attending 151 schools (125 elementary and 26 secondary) located throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, and Orangeville. In addition, over 40,000 students enroll in the board’s Adult and Continuing Education programs each year.
The Board adopted the Motions recommended by the Faith and Program Committee approving the issuance of the Proclamation recognizing the 500th Anniversary of the Arrival of Christianity to the Philippines and celebrating the same in the DPCDSB schools during the 2020-2021 school year. It likewise approved the appointment of Trustee Luz del Rosario of Mississauga Wards 6 and 11 as DPCDSB Representative at the Toronto Organizing Committee-Quincentenary Jubilee of Christianity in the Philippines (TOC-QJCP). This is by far the second act by a foreign government or its agency recognizing the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines. The first Proclamation was by the Toronto Catholic District School Board which was approved on 17 September 2020.
It is significant to note that the Board of Trustees approved the celebration of the Quincentennial Jubilee within the DPCDSB for the whole school year of 2020-2021, at a pressing time when the region was experiencing resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
5OOTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE PHILIPPINES
WHEREAS 2021 IS THE 5OOTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE PHILIPPINES AND;
WHEREAS THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, IN COORDINATION WITH THE TORONTO ORGANIZING COMMITTEE-QUINCENTENARY JUBILEE OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE PHILIPPINES (TOC-QJCP), IS ORGANIZING RELATED EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
AND;
WHEREAS THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO HAS APPROVED THE TOC-QJCP AS THE LEAD ORGANIZATION IN ORGANIZING RELIGIOUS EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE QUINCENTENARY IN THE TORONTO AREA
AND;
WHEREAS THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ENCOURAGES THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF YOUNG FILIPINO CANADIANS IN THE QUINCENTENARY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
AND;
WHEREAS THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES HAS REQUESTED THAT THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (DPCDSB) ISSUE A PROCLAMATION AND CELEBRATE THE QUINCENTENARY IN ITS SCHOOLS;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT;
THE DUFFERIN-PEEL CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD, BY WAY OF THIS PROCLAMATION, PROMOTE THE CELEBRATION OF THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE PHILIPPINES IN DPCDSB SCHOOLS, DURING THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR.
Post’s initiative for the passage of a Proclamation celebrating the Quincentenary Jubilee of the Arrival of Christianity in the Philippines in the Dufferin-Peel region, coupled with the strong support from Trustee del Rosario were essential in the approval of the Motion submitted by the latter to the Faith and Program Committee of the DPCDSB.
The Consulate General is actively working with other Canadian government offices and institutions within its jurisdiction towards the passage of a proclamation celebrating the Quincentennial Commemorations of the Philippines in various regions under Post’s jurisdiction.
As earlier reported and to promote inclusivity, diversity and harmony, Post’s Sentro Rizal Toronto will be organizing an Art Competition that is open to all elementary and high school students in Toronto and the Dufferin-Peel regions. Entries to be received from the art competition will be exhibited in 2021 in one of the events moving up to the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines in 2021.
The Philippine Consulate General of Toronto is reiterating its call on the Filipino community to strongly support the various activities celebrating the 500 years (Quincentennial) Commemorations in the Philippines to be held until next year. The religious part of the celebration is one of the components of all the commemorations being observed in 2021.
