Photo caption: Clockwise from top left: Ambassador Garcia delivers her Welcome Remarks; Photo of (L-R) Melanie Yugo, Esmie Gayo McLaren, Ambassador Garcia, Lenore RS Lim, Chito Maravilla, and Danvic Briones; Members of Ottawa’s Diplomatic Corps view the artworks; Ms. Esmie Gayo McLaren introduces the other artists; and Ambassador Garcia shakes Mr. Burchett’s hand following his remarks.

 11 September 2018, Ottawa – The Embassy of the Philippines in Canada formally opened “Essence – art celebrating the roles, struggles, and triumphs of all women” featuring the works of Danvic Briones, Pamela Gotangco, Chito Maravilla, Lenore RS Lim, Esmie Gayo McLaren, and Melanie Yugo at the Sentro Rizal Ottawa. The artists, all of whom are of Filipino descent, hail from Canada, the United States, and Switzerland.

Opening to a full house of more than one hundred guests, the exhibit showcased cross-cutting perspectives on women using various media ranging from acrylics on canvas to wood etching, print-making, and three dimensional installations to tackle themes which included motherhood, love, tradition, history, culture, domestic violence, and migration, among others.

Federal officials, members of Ottawa’s Diplomatic Corps, local media, and the Filipino community who attended the opening reception welcomed the exhibit concept and lauded the Embassy for highlighting multi-culturalism and the impact of migration on Filipino women in Canada.

Global Affairs Canada Director General for Southeast Asia Ian Burchett spoke during the program, reaffirming Canada’s commitment to promote and protect women and girls’ human rights. “The Essence art exhibition… is further strengthening art and cultural linkages between our countries and is using art to reinforce public and community awareness of our shared priorities and values,” he said.

Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia thanked the artists for sharing their work with the Ottawa community and invited the audience to revisit their ideas about women. “This exhibit may reinforce some of our strongly-held and cherished beliefs about ourselves and womanhood, but I hope it will also challenge the way we think of women, their roles, and their different experiences today. Far from passing judgement, we hope that this exhibit will be a vehicle to further foster dialogue, understanding, and acceptance of the legacy of the women in our lives and what it means to be a woman in this day and age,” she noted.

“Essence” is open to the public and will run until 23 September 2018 at the Sentro Rizal Ottawa. Inquiries may be directed to the Cultural Section at telephone number 613.233.1121 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. END.