Advisories & News
Press Release
The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto Join the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians in their Celebration of the 123rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence
2021-06-08
PR-2021-21
Toronto, 7 June 2021 – Ambassador Rodolfo A. Robles and Consul General Orontes V. Castro joined the Virtual Celebration of the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians (MFFC) on 6 June 2021. The virtual event, aired via YouTube, was in celebration of the 123rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence. Ms. Yolanda Ladines and Mr. Arturo Canseco, co-Chairs of the MFFC, organized the event despite the health restrictions still in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ambassador Rodolfo D. Robles mentioned in his Message that our ancestors offered their lives for the freedom we now enjoy and that we have a responsibility to continue protecting this freedom for future generations of Filipinos and to use this freedom to unite and heal our communities.
Consul General Orontes V. Castro on the other hand lauded the MFFC team for their determination and for finding alternative ways to celebrate Philippine Independence Day. He also highlighted the full support of His Worship Mayor Frank Scarpitti and the other Markham City Officials for the Filipino Community in Markham. Consul General Castro likewise mentioned the double victories of the Filipino Community with the Province of Ontario’s approval and enactment of the Filipino Heritage Month (FHM) Act of 2021, as well as the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s recent approval of the celebration of June every year as FHM in all DPCDSB-run schools in Ontario, just in time for the celebration of FHM in June. The approval is an inspiration for the Filipino Canadian community, especially the Filipino healthcare workers and frontliners.
Markham Mayor Scarpitti also gave his congratulatory video greetings to the Filipino Canadian community. He said that Markham is proud to be the home of a vibrant Filipino Canadian community. As in the past years, he joins the Filipino-Canadian community in celebrating the monumental Day of Philippine Independence. He also specially mentioned former Markham Councillor Alex Chiu who just recently passed away. He said that Alex was the “Tito” (uncle) of the Filipino community in Markham and that he and his extraordinary contributions to public service will always be remembered.
The MFFC Youth Performing Arts and the MFFC Seniors’ Group provided entertainment and performed folk dances and songs. – END