Advisories & News
Press Release
Virtual School Visits at the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) Celebrating the Quincentennial Jubilee of Christianity in the Philippines (QJCP) and Showcasing the Padayon Art Competition
2021-06-19
PR-2021-23
16 June 2021, Toronto, Ontario – Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, led by Consul General Orontes V. Castro, participated in the Virtual School Visits organized and conducted by the Toronto Catholic District School Board’s Quincentennial Jubilee of Christianity in the Philippines (QJCP) team, held from 16-31 March 2021. The QJCP Team was composed of the Consul General Castro, Trustee Garry Tanuan, the Community Relations Department of the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), and other Filipino Canadian Community members.
The virtual class visits to the schools that participated in Sentro Rizal Toronto’s Padayon Art Competition were opportunities to talk to the students about their paintings and Artist’s Statements, which were based on the theme “Paghilom at Pag-asa Mula sa Pandemya” (Healing and Hope from the Pandemic). The online visit was also a platform to share with the Filipino Canadian and mainstream Canadian students the 500-year rich heritage, culture and faith of the Philippines, to learn what the QJCP Proclamation and celebration is all about.
The following were the virtual class visits held in March 2021:
➢ 19 March 2021 (2:00 pm): Grade 7/8 Class of Ms. Julie D’Alelio, St. Paschal Baylon Catholic School;
➢ 22 March 2021 (12:30 pm – 1:40 pm): Grade 6 Class of Ms. Karen Reyes Tam, St. Paschal Baylon Catholic School;
➢ 22 March 2021 (2:00 pm – 3:00 pm): St. Columba Catholic School, Mr. John Pasia (first and only Filipino-Canadian Principal in TCDSB-run schools); and
➢ 24 March 2021, (2:00 pm): Five (5) classes, Grades 3 – 8 and the Special Education Class, Cardinal Leger School, Mr. Peter Fitzpatrick (Principal).
During one of the virtual class visits, the QJCP Virtual Commemoration video, which was live streamed on 16 March 2021, was re-shown. There was also a QJCP Jeopardy Game wherein questions about the Philippines and the historic 500 years celebration, as well as the Padayon Art Competition were asked. – END
Bottom Photo: Clockwise from top left: The Grade 6 Class of Ms. Karen Reyes Tam holding and saluting the Philippine flag), Consul General Orontes V. Castro, Ms. Suzy Llanera (QJCP Task Force member), Ms. Ida Serpe (Officer, Trustees’ Services), and Filipino Canadian TCDSB Trustee Garry Tanuan.
Another Trustee attended the virtual class visit, Ms. Maria Rizzo, Trustee for Ward 5-North York (top photo, no video).
Top row photos, R-L: Consul General Orontes V. Castro and Filipino Canadian Principal of St. Columba School, Mr. John Pasia;
Middle row photos, L-R: Filipino Canadian TCDSB Trustee Garry Tanuan, the students from the participating class, Ms. Suzy Llanera (QJCP Task Force member);
Bottom row photos, L-R: Ms. Jodelyn Huang (TCDSB Community Relations Officer, Ms. Ida Serpe (Officer, Trustees’ Services).
Consul General Castro (top middle photo) was joined by Cardinal Leger School Principal, Mr. Peter Fitzpatrick (top leftmost), Trustee Garry Tanuan (top, 2nd to the right), Ms. Suzy Llanera (top rightmost), the Grades 6 & 7 Class of Mr. Tuazon (middle leftmost), and Trustees’ Services Officer Ms. Ida Serpe (middle). The other four (4) classes in attendance (no video) were the following: Grades 3 & 4 class of Mrs. Volpe, Grades 7 & 8 Class of Ms. Calligaro, Grades 4 & 5 Class of Mr. Valdez, and the Special Education class of Ms. Mary Miller.
Top photos, L-R: The Jeopardy Game Board, the question and corresponding answers, posted in the Chat Box, from the participating teachers and students.
Bottom photos, L-R: A sample question and answer to the game.
