The Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defense and Minister of Multiculturalism visited the Filipinos at Patricia Kemp Community in Vaughan.  With him are Hon. Peter Kent and MPP Gila Martow.

Hon. Jason Kenney

Minister of National Defence and Minister of Multiculturalism

                                                 Former Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

MEET and GREET

Filipinos in Vaughan

 Saturday, October 10, 2015, 11:30am – 12:30pm

 FREE Refreshments!

 Patricia Kemp Community Centre (PKCC)

7894 Dufferin Street, Vaughan, L4K 1R6

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                                        Filipino Day in Vaughan

The Filipino Day in Vaughan to commemorate the 117^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence was celebrated on Sunday, June 7, 2015. The Philippine flag was officially raised at 10:00 a.m. at the Courtyard of Vaughan City Hall. Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council, namely, Regional Councillors Mario Ferri and Gino Rosati; Councillors Alan Shefman and Marilyn Iafrate attended the Flag Raising.  Also attended  the ceremony were Rosita Prospero, Consul General, Philippine Consulate; Hon. Peter Kent, P.C., Member of Parliament, Thornhill; Gila Martow, Member of Provincial Parliament, Thornhill;  Miriam Ku, outreach advisor to Patrick Brown, Ontario P.C. Leader; Deb Schulte, MP Candidate for the new riding of King-Vaughan; Julius Tiongson, MP candidate for Mississauga Centre,  residents and community groups.

Mayor Bevilacqua delivered greetings in behalf of the City of Vaughan, presented a memento to Consul General Prospero and a plaque on the occasion of the 117^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence to the Filipino Planning Committee namely:  Erlinda Insigne, pres, Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV);  Lurvie DeBlois, director, FCAV; Carol Banez, pres, Philippine Heritage Band (PHB) ;  Aurelia deLara, executive secretary, PHB; Jose Saavedra Jr., Leyteno Association of Ontario (LAQ); Marilyn Baguilod, Solid Rock Indigenous and Dave Montoya, Maple Baptist Church.

Following the Flag Raising were speeches by dignitaries followed by entertainment and lunch featuring Filipino food. Philippine Heritage Band sang the national anthems and rendered Stand Up Performance as well as Angklung Ensemble; Patriotic Song, Ang Bayan Ko was sang by soprano Yolanda Neo accompanied by Madam Eleanor Calbes Thomson, renowned Soprano; The Leytenos of Ontario performed “Tinikling” Dance; the ABACA brothers rendered music ensemble; members of Maple Baptist Church also rendered music ensemble and Solid Rock Indigenous performed cultural dance. The celebration was graced by the Miss Manila 2015, Janelle Apresto and her entourage. The Filipino Day was also attended by community groups and leaders in the community; Mabuhay Lions Club members and pres Danny Galicia; Bayanihan Athletic Association; Loo, publisher of  of Filipiniana newspaper;  Ramon Datol, Philippine Courier,  Filipino Seniors headed by Roy Sumabat;  Simon and Elsie Simangan, Filipino Accountants; Joel Recla, CHIN Radio;  Irene and Brian Turner, past  president Filipino nurses association; Glenn Anderson, K. Gagne Construction Co., Lito Dizon, choreographer and designer, Filipina Fiesta Dance Troupe,  and residents of the City of Vaughan.

The City of Vaughan has been declaring Filipino Day in Vaughan to celebrate the Philippine Independence since 2004. This celebration is especially meaningful because the City of Vaughan is a sister city of Baguio.  Vaughan is also the home almost 10000 hard-working Filipinos and a growing Filipino community.

The Filipino Day in Vaughan was successful due to the coordinated efforts of Erlinda Insigne (FCAV), Carol Banez (PHB), Auring deLara (PHB), Lurvie DeBlois (FCAV), Jose Saavedra Jr. (Leyteno Association of Ontario), Marilyn Baguilod (Solid Rock Indigenous) and Dave Montoya (Maple Baptist Church).

                                          INVITATION

JOIN US AT OFFICIAL FLAG RAISING TO CELEBRATE 117th ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY

WHEN:    Sunday, June 07, 2015, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.   Photo  opportunity at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:   Vaughan City Hall, 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive – at flagpoles near   front entrance

WHAT:    To commemorate the 117th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day, the City of Vaughan will officially fly the Filipino flag and recognize June 07 as Filipino Day. The City of Vaughan is a twin city of Baguio, Philippines. Following the flag raising, program and entertainment will be held at the Courtyard followed by lunch featuring Filipino food.

WHO:      Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, P.C., Mayor and Members of  Council;  Consul General, Philippine Consulate, Toronto;  Hon. Peter Kent, P.C., Member of Parliament, Thornhill ;  Gila Martow, Member of Provincial Parliament, Thornhill

Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan;  Philippine Heritage Band; Leyteno Association of Ontario;  Maple Baptist Church;  Solid Rock Indigenous Group;  Residents and Community Groups

Contact:      Linda 416-670-4498;  Carol 416-264-4569;  Auring   905-738-3789;  Lurvie 905-669-5025;  Marilyn 647-928-0277; Dave 905-417-1998; Jose 416-841-0854. 

Photo Release: Minister Jason Kenney named “Honourary Pinoy” By President Benigno ‘Noy Noy’ Aquino III

President Benigno Aquino III was welcomed by Minister Jason Kenney on his arrival in Vancouver, where he presented him with a gift of his favorite traditional Filipino snacks, Chicharon, and designated Minister Kenney an “Honourary Pinoy.” Later, President Aquino and Minister Kenney spoke to several thousand Canadians of Filipino descent at a community event.

 The previous day in Ottawa, Minister Kenney officially welcomed President Aquino to Rideau Hall for the State Dinner hosted by His Excellency the Right Hon. David Johnson, the Governor General of Canada.

This was President Aquino’s first visit to Canada and the first by a Filipino president since 1997. 

As always, please share this message with friends and family.

On Thursday, December 19, various Filipino organizations and media along with Sen. Enverga Jr., MP Mark Adler and others travelled to Trenton to welcome a contingent of 315 members of Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) who spent 40 days doing humanitarian work in typhoon-ravaged areas in central Philippines.

The DART Team did a great job in helping the victims of super typhoon Haiyan.  For the enormous tasks that the DART Team did and the generous aid that the Canadian government provided to the Philippines, not to mention the dollar-for-dollar match up, we can only speak from the bottom of our hearts to say over and over again: Thank you, Canada! Thank you, Prime Minister Harper! and Thank You, DART Team.

On February 18, 2013, delegation from the City of Vaughan participated in the “Penagbenga” festival otherwise known as Flower festival.  Panagbenga is the largest festival in the region. The festival is always celebrated in February for a month. The highlight of the festivities was February 23 & 24 where the delegation participated in the street and float parade attended by over a million people.

The Canada Trade Mission headed by Oswald Tugadi, president, Philippine Chamber of Commerce, Toronto and coordinated by Cora dela Cruz, Executive Director, Canadian-Philippine Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines were also in Baguio to explore economic opportunities between Canada and the Philippines. They also participated in the Street Parade.

The delegation from Vaughan also participated in the planting of Sister City trees, Sister City forum and the Business forum.

Overall, the Vaughan delegation and the Canada Trade Mission had a wonderful time.