6 June 2017
– Consul General Julius D. Torres of the Philippine Consulate General in
Calgary attended the commemorations organized by the different Filipino
community associations in Edmonton on 3 June 2017 to celebrate the 119th
Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
The
Council of Edmonton Filipino Associations (CEFA) opened the Edmonton
commemorations with a Holy Mass and flag-raising ceremony held at the Edmonton
City Hall. A short program followed the
flag-raising ceremony, featuring cultural performances from different Filipino
community groups.
That
evening, the Congress of the Philippine Associations of Alberta (CPAA)
sponsored a joint Philippine Independence Day/Canada 150 commemoration gala to
jointly commemorate Philippine Independence Day and the 150th
Anniversary of Canadian Confederation (Canada Day).
Both CEFA
and CPAA are umbrella organizations comprised of different Filipino community
organizations based in Edmonton and surrounding areas, and spearhead numerous
cultural and social events for and on behalf of the Filipino community in
Edmonton.
In his
remarks at the gala celebration, Consul General Torres recalled the valor of
Philippine national heroes in fighting for the independence of the Philippines,
noting that through their sacrifice, Filipinos are able to live freely and
choose to seek out better opportunities outside the Philippines and selecting
Canada as their adoptive home. Filipinos
in Canada, he said, also join all Canadians in celebrating the 150th
Anniversary of Canadian Confederation, as Canada has welcomed Filipinos and
those from other countries and remains strongly tolerant and accepting. He also stated his pride at the fact that
Filipino-Canadians continue to be productive members of Canadian society.
During his stay in Edmonton, the undersigned also had discussions with Mrs. Esmeralda Agbulos, Philippine Honorary Consul General in Edmonton, on the continuing promotion of overseas voter registration among the members of the Filipino community in Edmonton as well as the holding of more regular consular outreach missions in Edmonton.