The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, Canada

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY KICKS OFF MONTH-LONG INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS WITH A COMMUNITY PICNIC, REVIVES TRADITIONAL FILIPINO GAMES

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Picnic1 The Philippine Embassy in Canada team, led by Ambassador Maria Andrelita S. Austria, together with their families.

10 June 2025, Ottawa – The Philippine Embassy joined the annual Filipino community picnic organized by the Philippine Independence Committee of the Ottawa Valley (PICOV) on Sunday, 8 June 2025, at Larkin Park in Nepean, Ontario. This festive gathering marked the official launch of the month-long celebration of the 127th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Filipino Heritage Month, bringing together Filipino and Canadian families, businesses, and cultural groups in a spirit of unity and national pride.

Picnic2
Philippine Independence day picnic’s traditional parade of colors featuring various Filipino-Canadian businesses and organizations.

A traditional parade of colors showcased various Filipino-Canadian businesses and organizations. In her welcome remarks, PICOV Chairperson Nora Arriola honored Filipino frontliners, artists and professionals for their contributions to Canadian society . Philippine Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Maria Andrelita S. Austria, thanked attendees for coming together to celebrate the shared history, culture, and contributions of the Filipino community.

Picnic3 Photo from top left: Ambassador Austria giving her remarks; top right: Opening remarks of Ms. Nora Arriola, Chairperson of PICOV; bottom left: Ms. Jovy Hogan delivered an a capella rendition of Lupang Hinirang and O Canada; and bottom right: Ottawa Police Service Chief Eric Stubbs.

In her remarks, Ambassador Austria exhorted the community “never [to] underestimate the value you bring to this country. Nagpapasalamat po tayong lahat na nandito kayo sa Canada at may mas magandang buhay, pero mas dapat po silang magpasalamat sa inyo dahil pinili niyong manirahan dito, pinili niyong maglingkod, magtrabaho, at magcontribute. Hindi po ganito kaganda ang bayan na ito, kung hindi dahil sa mga naidala nyo dito. (While we are all grateful to be here and to enjoy better lives, Canada should be even more grateful to you—for choosing to live, serve, work, and contribute here. This country would not be as great without what you bring) — our culture, our dances, our food, and the games we will see this afternoon, thanks to the efforts of PICOV. This is a celebration of who we are and all that we contribute to Canada.”

Picnic4 Philippine Ambassador Maria Andrelita Austria posed for a group photo with PICOV Chairperson Nora Arriola, Ottawa Police Service Chief Eric Stubbs, Emcee Maria Rodrigue Lee, and the members of the Ottawa Police Service.

Ottawa Police Service Chief Eric Stubbs also joined the morning program and addressed the audience. He praised the Filipino community for its generosity, work ethic, and community spirit—qualities he has witnessed consistently across Canada, including in Ottawa. Joining Chief Stubbs are 9 Canadians of Filipino descent who are members of the Ottawa Police.

Picnic5 The Philippine Embassy hosted a special segment for children featuring beloved traditional Filipino games: kadang-kadang sa bao (top left), sipa (top right), and tumbang preso (bottom left). Prizes were awarded (bottom right).

The Philippine Embassy hosted a special segment for children featuring games such as kadang-kadang sa bao, sipa, and tumbang preso. One can sense the excitement and surprise among the many Filipino and Canadian children of Filipino descent at how fun Filipino games can be. For many of them, it was an introduction to traditional Filipino games.

A Parade of Lechon and Philippine folk dances performed by the Philippine Dance Troupe of Ottawa entertained guests, giving the participants a feel of a traditional “fiesta” in the Philippines.

It was a day full of celebrations - of Filipino talent, entrepreneurship, and family life featuring performances from local Filipino talents, providing a venue for family recreational activities and promoting Filipino-Canadian businesses.

Approximately 700 members of the Filipino-Canadian community in Ottawa remarkably came together for this year's Independence Day picnic right at the heart of Canada’s capital. END

127TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

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127TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE
12 June 2025

The Embassy of the Philippines in Canada proudly joins the nation in commemorating the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2025.

This year’s theme, “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.” (Freedom. Future. History.), calls on all Filipinos to honor our rich history, value the hard-won freedom we enjoy today, and work together toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

We warmly invite our kababayans across Canada and around the world to take part in commemorative events and programs celebrating the enduring spirit of Filipino heritage, heroism, and hope.

Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan sa ating lahat!

#Kalayaan2025
#MakeItHistoric

#PHinCanada

Philippines deepens economic ties with Canada at the 2nd JEC, discusses FTA

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PR-61-2025

JEC1

09 June 2025, Ottawa – The Philippines and Canada held the Second Meeting of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on 06 June 2025 to discuss the current status of and ways forward to strengthen the bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Philippine delegation met with their Canadian counterparts for an in-depth discussion on trade policy and market access; public private partnerships, public procurement, international financing; energy and natural resources; collaboration in cyber-security technologies; food security and agriculture; and creative industries.

JEC2 2nd Philippine-Canda JEC Networking and Session with Private Sector

At the sidelines of the 2nd JEC, the Philippines held talks with Canada’s trade negotiators aimed at concluding a bilateral free trade agreement. The Philippines believe that the two countries' current move to diversify trade partnerships and promote economic resilience provide the impetus for a bilateral free trade. The FTA is expected to benefit Filipino exporters and boost foreign direct investment in the country.

JEC3 Meeting with the GAC Trade Negotiation Team Meeting with Minister Rechie Valdez

“The real measure of our success here can be seen from how these endeavors translate to a better quality of life for both Filipinos and Canadians,” Ambassador Austria says in one of her remarks during the JEC.

JEC4 The Philippine Delegation to the 2nd Philippines-Canada JEC Meeting

The Philippine delegation was led by Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty of the International Trade Policy Group (ITPG) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), together with representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa led by Ambassador Maria Andrelita S. Austria, the Department of Energy led by Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella, the Public-Private Partnership Centre led by Executive Director Ma. Cynthia C. Hernandez, Mr. Lupino Lazaro of the Department of Agriculture, and Ms. Fe Lea V. Ajesta of the Department of Finance.

The JEC was established on 02 May 2022 and serves as the two countries’ major platform for bilateral economic cooperation.END

THE PHILIPPINES AND SASKATCHEWAN SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT IN CLEAN ENERGY

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PH SK MOU Sign

06 June 2025, Ottawa – The Philippines and the province of Saskatchewan entered into a cooperative partnership in the field of sustainable and clean energy transition and development. Among areas of cooperation covered by the agreement include technology development and transfer, conduct of training programs and sharing of best practices, supporting joint research and innovations, engaging stakeholders, and encouraging community involvement.

In a virtual ceremony, Philippine Ambassador to Canada H.E. Maria Andrelita S. Austria, representing the Philippine Department of Energy, signed the MOU with the Province of Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Trade and Export Development Deputy Minister Jodi Banks.

In her remarks, Ambassador Austria spoke about the Philippines’ commitment to increasing the share of renewable energy in its power generation mix to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040, as scheduled in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023–2028. /END