27 November 2019, Calgary – The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary hosted the year’s second Kapihan sa Konsulado on 23 November 2019 at the PCG premises to brief the Filipino community leaders about its recent initiatives and upcoming activities.

 

During the Kapihan, Consul General Zaldy Patron led the early launch in Calgary of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), which is a Philippine-wide activity.

 

The Consul General also explained the recent partnership that the PCG forged with the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA), a not-for-profit organization that provides social services to Filipino migrant families to help them integrate into the Canadian society through CIWA’s Filipino Community Development Program.

 

He also shared the PCG’s initiatives to promote energy cooperation between the Philippines and Alberta, which resulted in the visit of the Philippine Department of Energy officials in Calgary on 19-28 October 2019.

 

Consul General Patron also sought the support of the community for the PCG-led Paskong Pilipino 2019 to be held on 15 December 2019 in partnership with five Filipino organizations, namely the Philippine Cultural Center Foundation, Tamara Seniors Club of Calgary, Golden Generations Seniors Club, Young Once Seniors Club, New Casa Seniors Club, and also with CIWA.

 

He also encouraged the community leaders to submit nominations for the 2020 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas.

 

Lastly, Consul General Patron introduced to the Kapihan guests the members of the Philippine Bobsled Team who are training in Calgary. The Philippine Bobsled Team, the first bobsled team in Southeast Asia, has made Calgary its international home base and training ground for its bid to compete in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.