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Press Release
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN OTTAWA AND PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO JOIN POLO TORONTO IN SPREADING CHEER TO OFWS AND THEIR FAMILIES
2020-12-28
PR 79-2020
22 December 2020, Toronto, Ontario – The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto participated at the 2020 OFW Family Day Celebration organized by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) Toronto. The virtual celebration held on 13 December 2020 was titled “An OFW’s True North: Gabay Ko ang Aking Pamilya sa Aking Paglalakbay”.
POLO Toronto’s Labor Attaché Atty. Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo opened the celebration with her Inspirational Message for our kababayan OFWs who very much need support during these challenging times of the pandemic. Philippine Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Rodolfo Robles and Consul General Orontes V. Castro also shared their uplifting Christmas messages for the OFWs and their families.
Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre H. Bello, Ms. Visperas of the International Labor Relations Bureau of DOLE, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Atty. Hans Leo J. Cacdac likewise gave their Christmas messages to our OFWs.
All the Philippine government officials thanked POLO Toronto for organizing the online event despite the pandemic. As Ambassador Robles said, “It is a good way for the Filipino community to come together and participate in traditional Christmas activities while socially distancing.” Consul General Castro on the other hand said, “Nawa’y maipaabot po natin sa bawa’t isa ang mensahe ng pag-ibig, pagkakaisa, at pagkakaroon ng pag-asa, para sa kinabukasan sa taong ito at sa mga susunod pang mga taon.”
During the 1 ½ hour virtual celebration hosted by POLO Toronto’s Ms. Catherine Dimalanta and Ron Morales from Prince Edward Island (PEI), the Filipino traditions of the parol and carolling were presented. There was a parol-making contest among OFWs in POLO Toronto’s jurisdiction, as well as a carolling competition. The OFWs and their families also shared their talents and provided entertainment during the celebration.
The highlight of the event is a segment of the success stories of Model OFWs namely, Ms. Maria Antoinette Pangan, Ms. Rojelle Icamina, and Mr. Michael & Mrs. Shirly delos Santos. One thing in common with these model OFWs was how they persevered and strived to overcome the challenges encountered when they migrated to Canada to work, in order to provide a better future for their respective families. They likewise shared how they paid it forward to the community when they succeeded – how they helped, assisted, and supported newly-arrived OFWs in Canada. Their stories serve as inspiration to their families and to others.
The virtual celebrated ended with the POLO Toronto officers and staff wishing everyone a joyful Christmas. Through the online celebration, POLO Toronto hopes to celebrate our OFWs and the reason for the season, the True North, which is our faith and our families. – END
Mr. Michael & Mrs. Shirly delos Santos, and Ms. Rojelle Icamina.
