The Philippine flag unfurled and displayed for the first time at the Ottawa Police Service Headquarters from 13 to 17 June 2011
On the occasion of the 113th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) unfurled the Philippine flag for the very first time at its Headquarters on 13 June 2011 under the OPS Flag and Banner Program.
Members of the Philippine Embassy pose with Chief of Police Vern White
Chief of Police Vern White presided over the ceremony with the participation of Chargé d’ Affaires Minerva Jean A. Falcon and PICOV Chair Sonia del Rosario.
A colourful indigenous dance presentation by members of the Benguet, Ifugao, Bondok, Apayao and Kalinga (BIBAK) group signalled the start of the ceremony followed by messages from Chief White, Mr. Henry Jensen of the Police Service Board, Ms. Del Rosario of PICOV and CDA Falcon.
In her remarks, CDA Falcon thanked the Ottawa Police Service for initiating the Philippine Day and expressed the hope that the ceremony will be a continuing tradition in Ottawa and the beginning of a long partnership. Recalling this year’s Independence Day theme “Kalayaan, Paninindiganng Bayan”, Madame Falcon urged vigilance in guarding our freedom as sovereign masters of our own destiny and in the active pursuit of the elusive freedom from poverty. She extolled Dr. Jose Rizal’s fight against apathy and poverty and cited his practical brand of nationalism with a quote from the national hero, thus: “God has not made anything useless in this world, as all beings fulfill or fill a role in this sublime drama of creation. I cannot exempt myself from this duty, and however small, I, too, have a mission to fulfill, as for example alleviating the suffering of my people.”
The Philippine flag was unfurled as members of the Filipino community sang the Philippine and Canadian national anthems.
Members of the Kababaihang Rizalista after the induction rites for Embassy personnel namely CDA Minerva Jean A. Falcon, First Secretary and Consul Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo, Administrative Officer Edna L. Pataunia and Cultural Officer Buenaflor K. Cruz
During the ceremony, members of the Philippine Embassy were inducted into the KababaihangRizalistain rites led by Lady Rose Cruz, Toronto Chapter President of the KababaihangRizalista.
Vanessa Merjudio, daughter of Protocol and Communications Officer Romeo M. Merjudio, sings Ako Ay Pilipino accompanied by Max Flores
Adding flair to the event were a demonstration of Filipino martial arts by Marc Carriere of the Classical Combat Eskrima Kali Association (CCEKA) International and renditions of Bayan Ko and Ako ay Pilipino by Tracy Lay and VannesaMerjudio, respectively, with Max Flores on guitar.
(L-R) Police Service Board Member Henry Jensen, CDA Minerva Jean A. Falcon, PICOV Chair Sonia del Rosario and Chief of Police Vern White cut the ceremonial cake
The program ended with a cake ceremony and reception for members of the Ottawa Police Service and the Filipino community.
In partnership the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Independence Committee of Ottawa Valley (PICOV), the OPS Diversity and Race Relations Section organized the Philippine Flag Day under its Flag and Banner Day program to promote cultural and religious awareness within policing and celebrate Ottawa's diversity in an inclusive community.