13 June 2017 – The Filipino community in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan commemorated the 119th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with several activities on 10 and 11 June 2017 organized by the Filipino Canadian Association of Saskatoon (FILCAS) and participated in by the Consulate, represented by Consul Eric R. Aquino.
The Filipino community in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan raise the Philippine flag at the Civic Plaza of the Saskatoon City Hall on 10 June 2017 to open the community commemorations of Philippine Independence Day 2017.
The Philippine Independence Day commemoration in Saskatoon began on the morning of 10 June 2017 with a flag-raising ceremony held at the Civic Plaza of the Saskatoon City Hall. In his remarks during the flag-raising ceremony, Consul Aquino conveyed the greetings of Consul General Julius A. Torres (who was overseeing the Consulate’s own Independence Day commemorations in Calgary) and read the Independence Day message of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark and Member of the Saskatoon Legislative Assembly (MLA) Eric Olauson also spoke at the ceremony, with Mayor Clark announcing that the week of 10 to 17 June would be observed in the city as Philippine Independence Week and that the Philippine flag would remain on the city’s flagpole for the rest of the month of June. He also commended the Filipino community in Saskatoon for continuing to be productive citizens of the city. In his remarks, MLA Olauson noted that in the last few years, Filipinos have become the largest group of immigrants into Saskatchewan and that he looked forward to continue working with the Filipino community for the greater development of the province and its people.
On the evening of 10 June, FILCAS hosted a gala night at the Travelodge Saskatoon which featured the awarding of the first “Most Outstanding Pinoy in Saskatoon 2017.” During the previous year, FILCAS accepted nominations for the award, and chose the awardee based on his or her positive impact on the community and the city, spirit of volunteerism and community service. This year’s award was presented to Mr. Michael San Diego, who is a leader in the province’s non-profit housing industry and was appointed as a Commissioner at the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission in December 2016.
The Saskatoon commemorations of Philippine Independence Day also included a children’s fun day held at the Dundonald School on 11 June 2017, where Filipino families gathered for a potluck luncheon and the children participated in traditional Filipino games like the pabitin.