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Virtual Celebration of the 123rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence, Theme: “Kalayaan 2021: Diwa ng Kalayaan sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan (Spirit of Freedom in Unity and National Healing)”
2021-06-16
PR-2021-22
Toronto, 14 June 2021 – Consul General Orontes V. Castro led the Officers and Staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto and its Attached Government Agencies in the Virtual “Kalayaan 2021”, in celebration of the 123rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence, Filipino Heritage Month, and the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines. The event was live streamed via the Consulate General’s official website and Facebook Page at 10:00 am of 12 June 2021.
Part 1 of the Virtual Programme included the First Flag-Raising held at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB), as well as the different Proclamations on Filipino Heritage Month issued by the Cities of Toronto and Vaughan, as well as the Filipino Heritage Month Act of 2021 issued by the Province of Ontario.
The Virtual Programme featured the messages of Philippine government officials as President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., Ambassador Rodolfo D. Robles, and Consul General Orontes V. Castro. The congratulatory messages/greetings from Canadian Government officials, Consular Corps, Interfaith Religious Leaders, Elected Trustees from the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB), and Filipino Canadian Community Leaders, were also in the second part of the Programme.
Part Three of the Programme was the online launch of the one hundred eighty-two (182) Padayon artworks from participating students from the TCDSB and DPCDSB, followed by the Presentation of the Quincentennial Awardees (Government Officials, Interfaith Religious Leaders, Posthumous Awardees, Individual Awardees, Filipino Community Organizations, Media, and Settlement Organizations).
Vocal and piano performances from two (2) featured artists, Filipina mezzo-soprano Renee Fajardo and pianist Ron Michael Adea, capped the day’s historic virtual celebration of the 123rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence, Filipino Heritage Month, and the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.
To date, the Virtual Celebration has now 2,100 views.
