Despite the chilly weather, the Filipino community in St. John’s, NL gathered at the grounds of the Royal Canadian Legion in Mt. Pearl on 9 June 2019 to commemorate the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. The crowd of more than one hundred were joined by Mt. Pearl City Mayor David Aker, Councillors Isabelle Fry, Andrea Power, Bill Antle, war veteran John Lewis, and Philippine Consul General ad honorem Hazel Ouano Alpuerto as they raised the Philippine flag and sang the Philippine and Canadian National Anthems and “Ode to Newfoundland.”

The ceremony was followed by a reception of Filipino delicacies and Newfoundland’s famous seafood chowder.

While it has been customary for Filipino-Canadians to celebrate Philippine Independence in June, this year they also celebrate the first Filipino Heritage Month in Canada. END.

[Caption: (clockwise from top) Philippine Honorary Consul General Alpuerto and Mayor Aker together with other city officials; Filipinos listen as Ms. Alpuerto delivers Philippine Ambassador Petronila Garcia’s Message; Filipinos sing the Philippine National Anthem during the flag-raising ceremony. (Photos courtesy of Mr. Ritchie Perez)]