Ceremonial artillery guns fired successive salvos in salute as the national anthems of the Philippines and Canada played marking a festive celebration on 26 June 2016 -- in the city of Montréal, of the 118th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence organized by the Canadian Filipino Associations of Quebec (CCFAQ) with other Filipino community organizations.
His Worship Denis Coderre, Mayor of the City of Montréal, and Minister and Consul General Eric Gerardo Tamayo and Mrs. Mary Joyce Tamayo of the Philippines Embassy in Ottawa, joined the multitudes gathered at the Mackenzie Park at the Borough of Côte-Des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-De-Grâce (CDN-NDG) to celebrate Philippine Independence and draw attention to the valuable contribution of the Filipino community to the fabric of multi-diversity of the city.
The festivities were kicked off by a parade headed by the Honourable Anthony Housefather, Member of the Federal Parliament representing Mount Royal, serving as the Parade Grand Marshal, together with Mr. Gerry Danzil, President of the CCFAQ. The parade was paced by the mountain dancing from BIBAK Montreal Dancers and joined in by other ethnic community groups from Bulgaria, Japan, and Scotland among others.
Other federal, city and community officials joining in the celebrations included David Lametti, MP and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, Pierre Arcand, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Member of the National Assembly of Quebec, CDN-NDG Borough Mayor Russel Copeman, City Councillor Marvin Rotrand, Regional Knight Commander Rey Balansi of the Knights of Rizal, KOR Chapter Salvador Cabugao, and CCFAQ Founder and Adviser James Dela Paz and Mrs. Rose Dela Paz. Various leaders of other Filipino organizations were acknowledged in representing their respective organizations.
Conveying the message of Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia, Consul General Tamayo noted that the Philippines is a leading democracy in Asia, borne by none other than the conduct of peaceful, honest and orderly elections that paves the way for a new administration to take over and preside over the highest sustained economic growth the country has seen for the past years. Moreover, the Philippines itself is leading economic growth among other economics in the Asia-Pacific on the basis of improved governance and accountability and the freedoms enjoyed by a sovereign people.
Mr. Tamayo noted that Canada acknowledges the role of the Philippines is at the heart of the Asia-Pacific, and such heart is what drives the multitude of modern-day Filipinos back home and worldwide to become the contemporary heroes that they are today. Citing Dr. Rizal and the other heroes that brought dreams for self-rule to fruition, he called on everyone to pay tribute to such countless other heroes of today who are collectively contributing to our continuing pursuit for a better quality of life for their fellow countrymen.
The community welcomed the announcement that the Philippine Embassy is moving to a new and bigger location in Ottawa. That. for the first time since the Embassy 45 years ago, the Philippine Flag is expected to fly high in Ottawa. END (Photos below)
