13 June 2013 - On the occasion of the 115th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, some 250 guests of Philippine Ambassador and Mrs. Leslie B. Gatan were treated to a National Day reception like no other in Ottawa at his official residence on 13 June 2013.
The Gauthier-Mamaril String Ensemble played Filipino classics as Ambassador and Mrs. Gatan welcomed Members of Parliament, federal government officials, Canadian businessmen and Filipinos from Canadian and U.S. cities as far away as Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, New York and New Jersey.
Signalling the start of the formal part of the program, the diminutive 15-year old Lovely Andalay, who sang the Canadian national anthem at last year's Grand Prix du Canada, belted out the Lupang Hinirang and O Canada in flawless fashion.
Ambassador Gatan's welcome remarks walked the guests through the transformation of the "sick man of Asia" into a stellar economy that eclipsed China's own growth in the first quarter of 2013. Sharing Filipino euphoria following the latest economic developments in the Philippines, Ambassador Gatan cited more glowing reports on Philippine tourism and the country's strong fundamentals that earned for it successive credit rating upgrades. Nonetheless, the Ambassador appealed for further support by way of greater trade, tourism and investments to achieve the Aquino administration's goal of inclusive economic growth.
Speaking for the Government of Canada, the Honorable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Development, acknowledged the tremendous strides made by the Philippines and conveyed assurances of Canada's friendship. "Canada makes it a point to reach out very quickly in times of calamities," he affirmed. The Minister also announced his planned visit to the Philippines in the near future.
Folk music performed by the Philippine Chamber Rondalla of New Jersey subtly changed the tone of the occasion into a fiesta-inspired celebration. Guests enjoyed a smorgasbord of Filipino rice noodles, spring rolls, barbeques, pastries and rice cakes as well as the irresistible halo-halo.
From the delectable buffet, the spotlight turned to New York-based soprano Katrina Saporsantos and Kundirana alumnus Jared Philippe who impressed guests in a powerful duet of Ernani Cuenco's Gaano Kita Kamahal. Belinda Corpuz, a Toronto-based professional vocalist, crooned Restie Umali's Saan Ka Man Naroroon and Louie Ocampo's You Are My Song while Lovely Andalay blended Gilbert Bécaud's L'Important c'est la Rose and George Canseco's Bulaklak in one stirring number. Solo renditions of Canseco's timeless Ngayon and Nicanor Abelardo classics Mutya Ng Pasig and Nasaan Ka Irog by Jared Philippe and Ms. Saporsantos, respectively, captivated the appreciative audience.
For the finale, Filipino and Canadian guests merrily joined the lively sing-and-dance-along to the music of the Philippine Chamber Rondalla which Philippine Embassy personnel instigated a la flash mob. Ako Ay Pilipino sung by the passionate crowd capped the festivities.
"Filipinos will find the simplest of reasons to start a party which is why Mrs. Gatan and I are very pleased that our Independence Day anniversary and the spate of good news about the Philippines present compelling cause for our celebration today. Sharing our food, songs and dances typifies Filipino culture. We are gratified that our guests enjoyed this little fiesta in a way that differentiates our brand of hospitality. Our Canadian friends have seen for themselves that the Filipino spirit of fun is truly contagious and I invite them to visit the wellspring of fun in the Philippines," Ambassador Gatan said.
