Top left: Ambassador Garcia welcomes members of the audience to the event; Right: ICO President Deborah Watkins (left), Ambassador Garcia (center),  and Consul Mariño (right); Bottom left: Ms. Watkins presents Consul Mariño with a bouquet of flowers as a token of appreciation from the ICO.

 7 March 2019, Ottawa – The Embassy of the Philippines in Canada, in cooperation with the International Club of Ottawa (ICO), hosted “ICO Talks: Women of the World” on Thursday, 7 March 2019, at the Sentro Rizal Ottawa.

First Consul Greg Marie Mariño delivered a presentation on the theme “Women in the Philippines, Inspiring and Empowered” to an audience composed of ICO members, representatives from the diplomatic corps, Philippine Embassy personnel, and other guests. She traced the roots of Filipino women from the earliest known records up to the present, highlighting their initiative and strength throughout the different chapters of Philippine history, as well as current efforts to further protect women’s rights and empower them.

Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia thanked the ICO for including the Philippines in its ICO Talks series, noting that the theme was very timely as countries around the world celebrate International Women’s Month. END.