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Press Release
Toronto PCG Joins Member of Provincial Parliament Honourable Doly Begum’s Filipino Heritage Month Virtual Celebration
2021-06-30
29 June 2021 –Member of Provincial Parliament Honourable Doly Begum hosted a Virtual Celebration of Filipino Heritage Month (FHM) on Saturday, 26 June 2021 via Zoom.
Consul General Orontes V. Castro joined the celebration, together with leaders and members of the Filipino Canadian Community in the Greater Toronto Area. Consul General Castro expressed his appreciation to Hon. Begum for the sponsorship of Bill No. 217, otherwise known as the Filipino Heritage Month Act of 2021, which received Royal Assent and came into effect on 20 May 2021. He said that it is a wonderful gift to the Filipino people and nation. He also highlighted and recognized the efforts of the Filipino Canadian Community who worked and supported MPP Begum.
Consul General Castro likewise presented MPP Begum with the Consul General’s Quincentennial Award, which was announced on 12 June 2021 during the Consulate General’s live streaming of its Virtual Program celebrating the 123rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence. MPP Begum humbly responded to the Consul General’s gesture saying that she is very honored and privileged to be presented with the award and that she feels like a family member of the Filipino Community.
Other Filipino Community leaders present at the webinar also gave their respective messages and greetings. Filipino Torontonians provided entertainment during the virtual celebration.
MPP Begum is the Ontario NDP Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough Southwest. She moved to Canada as a child with her parents and younger brother, and has lived in Scarborough most of her life. – END
Top photo: MPP Doly Begum proudly showed to the online attendees the signed Bill No. 217 otherwise known as the Filipino Heritage Month Act of 2021, which she just received and will provide a copy to the Consulate General.
Bottom photo: Consul General Orontes V. Castro presented Hon. Doly Begum the Consul General’s Quincentennial Awards for her support to the Filipino Canadian Community in Ontario
by sponsoring Bill No. 217 in the Province of Ontario.