Clockwise from left: Dr. Osler delivers her keynote address; Ambassador Garcia greets the participants of Pinoys on Parliament 2020; Participants perform a dance number set to a medley of Original Pilipino Music (OPM); (L-R) Deputy Chief of Mission Francisco Noel Fernandez III, Ambassador Garcia, and MLA Jon Reyes.

23 February 2020, Ottawa – The Embassy of the Philippines in Canada joined more than two hundred participants for the Pinoys on Parliament 2020 (POP 2020) conference held from 21 to 23 February 2020 in Canada’s capital. The event, organized by a local organization of the same name, brought together Canadian youth of Filipino descent and leaders in government, business, sciences, culture, and the arts for a weekend of mentorship and discussion on issues affecting Filipino-Canadian youth.

The conference opened with a networking and cultural event at the Lansdowne Park Horticulture Building, featuring a keynote address by Dr. Gigi Osler, past President of the Canadian Medical Association, and a reception hosted by the Embassy of the Philippines.

Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia greeted the participants and lauded them for joining this important initiative. “The fact that we are here this evening to convene the second Pinoys on Parliament conference is a clear indication of the strong potential of Filipino-Canadian youth and how important it is for their voices to be heard,” she remarked.

Also present during the event were Mr. Neil Reeder, former Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines, Member of Parliament Garnett Genius (Sherwood Park-Fort Saskatchewan), and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba Jon Reyes.

Over the conference weekend, First Secretary and Consul Greg Marie Mariño presented a lecture titled “Malakas at Maganda: Revisiting the Role of Women in Philippine History” while First Secretary and Consul Jeffrey Salik conducted a workshop on Business Model Canvas.

Conference participants visit the Philippine booth during the Community Symposium.

The Philippine Embassy also joined conference participants for the Community Symposium on Sunday, 23 February 2020, where it installed a mini-exhibit on Philippine textiles and handicrafts showcasing malongs, tinalak, and Kalinga fabrics as well as capiz shell items. Information materials on consular services and Philippine tourist destinations were also given away alongside samples of cornik and polvoron. END.