PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO HOLDS CONSULAR OUTREACH SERVICE IN GUELPH, ONTARIO

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Dual Citizenship applicants during the oathtaking ceremony administered by Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague

23 August 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, in coordination with the Filipino Canadian Club of Guelph-Wellington and the Guelph Pinoy Eagles Club, conducted a Consular Outreach Service at the Cornerstone Christian School in Guelph, Ontario.

The Consulate’s outreach team provided a total of 60 consular services, including renewal of Philippine passports, notarization of documents, civil registry submissions and dual citizenship applications. The Social Security System (SSS)-Toronto also participated in the outreach and provided services to 26 clients.

It was the first time the Consulate General held an outreach in Guelph, which is part of its efforts to reach more Filipinos. Guelph, which is around 100 kilometers away from Toronto, has around 4,000 Filipinos per the 2021 Census of Statistics Canada. END

Clients availing of different consular services

CONSULAR OUTREACH - BRANDON, MANITOBA

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CONSULAR OUTREACH - WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO LAUNCHES THE 2026 WINTER ESCAPADE TOUR, ENCOURAGES CANADA-BASED TRAVELERS TO EMBARK ON 10-DAY ADVENTURE TO MANILA-DUMAGUETE-SIQUIJOR-BICOL

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Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin opens the Winter Escapade 10 Launch at the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto

15 August 2025 — On Friday, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto launched the tenth iteration of the Winter Escapade or WE10, which will take place from 1 to 10 February 2026 in Manila, Dumaguete, Siquijor, and Bicol.

The Winter Escapade is the flagship tourism program co-organized annually by the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in Canada, in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board, and Rajah Tours, to give Canada-based travelers a unique opportunity to experience the warm hospitality of the Filipino people, some of the most breathtaking views of the country’s 7,641 islands, and the rich diversity of Filipino history, cultural heritage and culinary flavors.

Joining virtually from the Philippines, Rajah Tours President Jojo Clemente and Director of Sales Michael Kipping previewed the 10-day itinerary and land package. WE10 goers can look forward to going on a Pagsanjan Falls river rapids adventure, swimming with sea turtles in Apo Island, exploring the mystical charm of Siquijor, diving with the gentle whalesharks of Donsol, and so much more.

Rajah Tours also announced that they are giving special incentives for Canada-based travel agencies and tour operators that will be able to register WE10 participants.

As in previous years, prospective WE10 goers may avail of special rates for their flights to the Philippines from the country’s national carrier, Philippine Airlines. Pending the announcement of PAL’s WE10 promo fares, PAL-Toronto International Sales Representative Nancy Del Napoles announced that prospective travelers may already take advantage of their Ultimate Seat Sale – a limited offer from 15-31 August 2025.

Interested parties may view and access the itinerary, registration form, and other important details by visiting the Winter Escapade website at winterescapadeph.com.

Ms. Junice Osunero (left), who joined the Winter Escapade in 2020 and 2023, and Mr. & Mrs. Sonny and Edith Hakkim (right), who participated in 2015, 2024 and 2025, share why they keep going back and why they are considering joining the tour again in 2026

Launch attendees were treated to Pinoy street food staples – fishballs, squidballs, kikiam, chicken skin, dynamite, cheese sticks, lumpiang togue, siomai, singkamas and mango with bagoong, sago’t gulaman – from Kariton Foodcarts

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO RENEWS COMMITMENT TO INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW (IHL) AS PART OF IHL MONTH COMMEMORATION

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Toronto, 11 August 2025 – In observance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Month and IHL Day on 12 August, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the core principles of international humanitarian law in the performance of duties. Consulate personnel, including attached agencies, recited the IHL pledge during the flag raising ceremony.

The Philippines has a long legacy of championing IHL, from ratifying all four Geneva Conventions and their additional Protocols, to being the first in Southeast Asia to adopt a National IHL Act and establish a National IHL Committee.

This year, the Philippines will host the Asia Pacific Regional Conference on International Humanitarian Law on 11-14 August 2025, bringing together key stakeholders to explore the theme: “Galvanising Commitment to International Humanitarian Law: Challenges and Opportunities in the Asia Pacific Region.”

The Consulate joins the global community in raising awareness on the Geneva Conventions and the continued relevance of IHL in addressing modern challenges to peace and security.

#PHinToronto #IHLDay2025 #InternationalHumanitarianLaw

CONSULAR OUTREACH TO LONDON, ONTARIO

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CONSULAR OUTREACH TO WINDSOR, ONTARIO

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OFFICIAL LAUNCH & PREVIEW OF WE10 IN TORONTO

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Join us for the launch and preview of the Winter Escapade 10 official tour package on Friday, 15 August 2025, 4:00 PM at the Philippine Consulate General, 160 Eglinton Ave E, 7/F, Toronto M4P 3B5.

Who should come?

✔️Anyone looking for their next vacation destination during the winter season

✔️ Kababayans and Canadians looking for a curated experience of some of the Philippines’ most scenic and adventure-filled destinations

✔️ Canada-based tour operators and influencers interested to partner in promoting the WE10 to their clientele

REGISTER NOW via https://forms.gle/T9c6Y3bCvDDz88C7A or by scanning the QR code on the poster.

For more information, please email cultural.officer@philcongen-toronto.com.

#PHinToronto #LoveThePhilippines #WinterEscapade #WE10

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO, HDMF DELEGATION, AND FILIPINO FESTIVAL ORGANIZERS DISCUSS WAYS TO MAKE PAG-IBIG FUND PROGRAMS AND SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE TO FILIPINOS IN CANADA

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L-R: Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague, Atty. Eduardo Labo Jr., Trustee Abraham Siu, Acting Head of Post and Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate, Trustee Gregorio Montenegro, Virtual Office-North America Team Lead Kristoffer Bryan Sia, Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin

23 July 2025 — The four-member delegation from the Philippine Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) composed of Board of Trustees Members Messrs. Gregorio A. Montenegro and Abraham S. Siu, Atty. Eduardo L. Labo, Jr., Acting Department Manager III of the Foreign-Based Offices Operations Department, and Mr. Kristoffer Bryan C. Sia, Team Lead of Pag-IBIG Fund’s Virtual Office for North America, caps their week-long visit to Canada with back-to-back meetings with lead organizers of major Filipino festivals in Toronto and across Canada.

Facilitated by the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, the delegation met with Fiesta Extravaganza’s Von Canton, Mabuhay Festival’s Tom Tan and Karen Binaday, and FUN Philippines’ Mon and Tess Torralba to explore the possibility of bringing a “Pag-IBIG Fund housing caravan” to one or some of their events in 2026.

The delegation visited Canada from 17 to 23 July 2025. They attended to clients during the Consulate’s consular outreach mission in Winnipeg and Steinbach in Manitoba, as well as to consular clients in Toronto, providing information about PAG-IBIG Fund’s programs, such as Regular Savings, MP2 Savings, Housing and Short-Term Loans, and Loyalty Card Plus, and addressing questions related to eligibility and mechanics for accessing these programs and benefits including through their Virtual Office.

Stay tuned for more announcements as we make programs of Pag-IBIG Fund for boosting your savings or financing your investments even more accessible to kababayans in Canada!

The Pag-IBIG Fund delegation meets with the organizers of Mabuhay Festival, FUN Philippines, and Fiesta Extravaganza

PUBLIC HOLIDAY NOTICE

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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO HOLDS CONSULAR OUTREACH MISSION IN WINNIPEG AND STEINBACH, MANITOBA

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The first batch of the 119 RA 9225 applicants that took their oath of allegiance for the retention/reacquisition of Philippine citizenship before Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin (front, center) during the three-day mission in Winnipeg and Steinbach pose for a group shot

20 July 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto conducted its second consular outreach mission to Winnipeg for 2025 and the first ever outreach to Steinbach in Manitoba on 18-20 July 2025. The three-day outreach was held at the Holiday Inn Express Winnipeg Airport – Polo Park in Winnipeg and the Road House 52 Inn & Suites in Steinbach, with the support of Philippine Consul ad honorem in Winnipeg, Ronaldo Opina, the Southeast Manitoba Filipino Association (SEMFA), and a number of Filipino community volunteers from both cities.

The outreach team provided a range of consular services to members of the community in Steinbach, Winnipeg, and other neighboring areas. These include passport renewals, notarial services, civil registration submissions, and dual citizenship applications.

The consular team rendered a total of 554 consular services. One hundred nineteen (119) former Filipinos with their dependents took their oath of allegiance to retain/reacquire their Filipino citizenship under Republic Act 9225.

The team, led by Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin, briefed the clients on the consular and assistance-to-nationals (ATN) services provided by the Consulate. Among the issues discussed were the period of stay allowed in the Philippines either under the Balikbayan Privilege or as dual citizens and the corresponding documentation to support these, as well as distinguishing between children that may be considered dual Filipino and Canadian citizens at birth and children that would need to be included as dependents in their parents’ application for dual citizenship under RA 9225. They were reminded of the importance of registering with the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa or Consulates General in Calgary, Toronto or Vancouver all births and marriages in Canada involving Filipinos.

The newly sworn-in dual citizens were urged to look out for the announcement of the resumption of registration for Filipino overseas voters so they can exercise their right to vote in the 2028 Philippine national elections.

The team also took the opportunity to inform the Filipino community in Manitoba of the forthcoming launch of the Winter Escapade 10, the tenth iteration of the flagship tourism program of Philippine Posts in Canada, and encouraged them to consider participating in the 10-day tour with their families and friends on 1-10 February 2026, to reconnect with their roots and enjoy some sun, sand and sea during the peak of Canadian winter.

Representatives of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO)/Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-Toronto and Social Security System (SSS)-Toronto, and a visiting delegation from Pag-IBIG Fund also joined the outreach mission to provide their services to the Filipino community.

The Philippine Consulate General will hold its third outreach to Winnipeg, MB for 2025 back-to-back with its first mission to Brandon, MB in September. These missions are part of the Consulate’s continuing efforts to bring its services closer to Filipino communities in Ontario and Manitoba.

(Left photo) Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin responding to questions from dual citizenship applicants in Winnipeg; (Right photo) The outreach team assisting clients in Steinbach

(Left photo) First stop of the outreach team — a quick visit to Seafood City Supermarket in Winnipeg hosted by Store Manager Al Francis Francisco (front, 2nd from right) to hear about the current state of the Winnipeg market for Filipino grocery items; (Right photo) The outreach team with Philippine Honorary Consul in Winnipeg Ronaldo Opina (front row, 3rd from right), SEMFA officers, and community volunteers in Steinbach

CONSULAR OUTREACH TO GUELPH, ONTARIO

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ADVISORY: MAY PAG-IBIG SA KONSULADO

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PAG-IBIG FUND JOINS THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO

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CONSULAR OUTREACH TO NIAGARA, ONTARIO

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SILID ARALAN SA KONSULADO

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Sentro Rizal Toronto, in partnership with the Philippine Teachers Association of Canada (PTAC) and Kultura Life & Art Inc., is pleased to announce that it will be hosting the first SILID-ARALAN SA KONSULADO next month.

Coinciding with this year’s celebration of Buwan ng Wika, the 5-hour Saturday program will provide participants a chance to learn about the Philippines through music and dance, arts and crafts, traditional games, and preparation and tasting of Filipino food.

When: Saturday, 9 & 16 August 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Philippine Consulate General, 160 Eglinton Ave E, 7/F, Toronto, ON, M4P 3B5

The program is open to children ages 6-15 years old.

Register now using this link: http://bit.ly/4nK8bzK or scan the QR code on the poster.

We look forward to seeing you!

#SilidAralanSaKonsulado

#BuwanNgWika

#PHinToronto

#SentroRizal

Honorable Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro on her appointment as Secretary of Foreign Affairs

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The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto joins the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa in congratulating the Honorable Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro on her appointment as Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines on 1 July 2025.

The Consulate remains committed to advancing the interests of the Philippines and bringing government services closer to Filipinos in the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, through collaboration and meaningful partnerships with various stakeholders, under the guidance and leadership of Secretary Lazaro.

PUBLIC HOLIDAY NOTICE

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PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO HOLDS CONSULAR OUTREACH MISSION IN GREATER SUDBURY, ONTARIO

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The Consulate team poses with officers of the Filipino-Canadian Association of Sudbury during the outreach

22 June 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto conducted a two-day consular outreach mission to the City of Greater Sudbury on 21-22 June 2025 with the team providing a total of 83 various consular services during the mission.

The Consular Outreach Mission was held in cooperation with the Filipino-Canadian Association of Sudbury, headed by its President, cardiologist Dr. Angelo Dave Javier, MD. Joining the consular team during the outreach were the DMW – Toronto office led by Welfare Officer Mr. Benny Reyes, and the SSS-Toronto office.

On Sunday, 23 June 2025, the outreach team also attended the 2nd Mabuhay Philippine Festival held at Greater Sudbury’s Bell Park and Grace Hartman Ampitheatre. The festival featured more than 30 vendors and exhibitors, and included food booths, clothing companies, real estate agents, immigration consultants and many others. Around 800 Filipinos reside in Greater Sudbury and the surrounding areas.

Speaking during the Festival’s opening program, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate expressed his appreciation for the dedication of Filipino community in Greater Sudbury to keeping and promoting their Filipino identity in this part of Canada. DCG Tate also welcomed MP Viviane Lapointe’s interest in forging closer economic cooperation between the Philippines and Canada, especially where mineral extraction is concerned. Greater Sudbury holds the distinction of being one of the world’s top sources of nickel and other metals vital to modern technology and renewable energy.

Clients availing of consular services during the outreach mission

The Young Voices Choir and the FilCan Chorale singing the national anthems of Canada and the Philippines to open the program of the Mabuhay Philippine Festival