18 May 2016 - In observance of the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Canada, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver wishes to announce the holding of a number of community events this coming June 2016 to coincide with these commemorations.
The celebrations will commence with an opening reception of the art exhibit, “Harana – An Art Exhibition Serenading the Culture and Heritage of the Philippines,” on 26 May 2016 at the Cityscape Community Art Space in North Vancouver. The exhibit, featuring the artworks of Mr. Manuel Baldemor and several Vancouver-based Filipino artists, will run from 27 May to 2 July 2016. Come 3 June 2016, the Philippine Opera Company will hold a concert entitled “Harana” at Vancouver Tech Auditorium. This will be followed by two events on 4 June: the Pista ng Bayan Community Picnic at Memorial South Park, and the Masskara Festival Society’s Independence Day Celebrations at the Polish Community Centre. The Independence Day parade and celebrations in Surrey will be held on June 5 with the theme, “Kundiman at Indakan sa Surrey.”
A flag-raising ceremony will be held on 10 June 2016 at the Vancouver City Hall to be led by Consul General Neil Ferrer and Acting Vancouver City Mayor Raymond Louie.
A number of Philippine Independence-related events will be held on the busiest weekend of 11-12 June 2016: flag-raising ceremonies will be conducted in the cities of Richmond, North Vancouver, New Westminster; two dinner-gala celebrations will be hosted by the FABC and UFCABC respectively; various day activities will be hosted by MVPACES in North Vancouver, VFCA/VFCSA/VFCCA in Victoria, FCAEK/East Kootenay in Cranbrook, and CONFICA in Vancouver.
Consul General Ferrer said the Consulate is honored to be part of the festivities, which are organized by various Filipino-Canadian community organizations in Metro Vancouver and other cities in British Columbia.
Consul General Ferrer also noted that this year marks an important milestone—the 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, the very first Philippine foreign service establishment in the whole of Canada
“The annual Independence Day celebrations provide the perfect opportunity for the Filipino-Canadian community to meet, get together and celebrate the Filipino way. These festivities are wonderful venues to foster camaraderie and strengthen the bonds of friendship between the Philippines and Canada. We are grateful to the various community organizations for their abiding trust and continuing cooperation,” Consul General Ferrer said.
“I invite everyone—Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike—to join us in celebrating this June the 118th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the friendship between the Philippines and Canada,” he added. END