Press Release

Filcom organizations in Toronto sign covenant to work together for Philippine National Day, Filipino Heritage Month Activities and Quincentennial Commemoration

2020-02-25

PR No. 11-2020

(Front row from left to right): Mr. Garry Tanuan, Trustee, Ward, TCDSB; Ms. Rosemer Enverga, PCCF; Ms. Monina Lim-Serrano, FFCO; Consul General Orontes V. Castro; Ms. Norma Carpio, PIDC; Mr. Tony San Juan, FHCC. (Backrow): Mr. Romy Rafael, PCCF; Ms. Tessie Taylor, FHCC; Mr. V.R. Evidente, Knights of Rizal; Mr. Joe Damasco, Knights of Rizal; Deputy Consul General Edna May Grecia-Lazaro; Ms. Suzy Llanera, PIDC); Ms. Michelle Serrano, FFCO; Mr. Joseph Redoblado, FHCC; Lorelei Redoblado, FHCC; Mrs. Joy San Juan, FHCC; Ms. Lita Leano, PCCF; Mrs. Rebecca Rafael, PCCF. Mr. Tote Quizan of the Flag Raising Committee left early after the signing and was not able to join the picture-taking.

19 February 2020, Toronto-On 15 February 2020, Consul General Orontes V. Castro convened a meeting of several organizations who usually organize their respective flag-raising ceremony during Philippine Independence Day and Filipino Heritage Month (FHM) celebrations in Toronto. Prior to this meeting, Consul General Castro met with the individual organizations to gather support for the Consulate’s Independence Day activities and get their commitment to work together as one Filipino community for the success of succeeding Independence Day and Filipino Heritage Month activities. Consul General Castro was also able to gather their support for the Quincentennial Commemoration in 2021. The organizations, through their respective representatives, agreed to sign on 15 February 2020 a Memorandum of Unity and Cooperation to memorialize their commitments.

The purpose of the Memorandum is to provide the foundation and structure for all possibly anticipated agreement/s related to the conduct of the flag-raising ceremony/ies and other activities held on June 12 of every year, activities celebrating Filipino Heritage Month and those related to the 2021 Quincentennial Commemoration. Under the Memorandum, the organizations committed to work together, collaborate and foster unity and synchronize their efforts towards fulfilling the abovestated purpose. They also promised to work closely with other Filipino-Canadian organizations, individual members of the community and other entities, to ensure the success of the above-stated activities.

The following organizations signed the Memorandum of Unity and Cooperation: 1) Federation of Filipino Canadians in Ontario, represented by Ms. Monina Lim-Serrano; 2) Flag Raising Committee, represented by Mr. Tote Quizan; 3) Filipino Heritage Council of Canada, represented by Mr. Tony San Juan; 4) Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation, represented by Ms. Rosemer Enverga; 5) Philippine Independence Day Council, represented by Ms. Norma Carpio and Ms. Susy Llanera(signed on behalf of PIDC’s President Mr. Ramon Estaris); and 6) Mr. Garry Tanuan, in his capacity as Trustee of Ward 8, Toronto Catholic District School Boad (TCDSB). END.

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