MUSIC TO THE POWER OF TWO

16 June 2016, 5:30 p.m.

Sens House, 73 York Street

Ottawa

WELCOME REMARKS OF AMBASSADOR PETRONILA P. GARCIA

THE HONOURABLE STÉPHANE DION, HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, EXCELLENCIES AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

A warm welcome to all of you joining us this afternoon to mark the 118th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence.

This year, we decided to depart from tradition in order to bring you closer to the heart of a Filipino, in a space that pays homage to a hockey team beloved in Ottawa.   Music at the Sens House - it all makes perfect sense.

The voice of the Filipino soul

Music gives voice to the Filipino soul. It suffused our daily work, festive occasions, courtship, and rituals long before our native culture absorbed western influences.

From cradle to grave, music accompanies a Filipino's journey.  Our history formed streams of indigenous, religious, and western classical and popular music that now comprise Philippine music.

The secret of Filipino resilience

Like conjoined twins, music and cheer are embedded in our psyche to the extent that our christenings and funerals are both attended by levity.

The uninitiated may find it strange to see Filipinos smiling or laughing at the height of a calamity or a tragedy.

We refuse to let dreadful situations stop us in our tracks.  We refuse to cower in fear of the senseless.

Music and cheer are the ingredients of Filipino resilience.  We rise to live another day and smile while we're at it.

Still, a bastion of democracy

This evening, we are honoring the heroes of the Philippine revolution and feting the Filipino people for bringing about yet another peaceful transfer of power following clean, orderly and credible national elections.

In the fullest expression of a vibrant democracy, the Filipino electorate owns the victory of President-Elect Rodrigo Duterte who will be sworn into office on June 30. Vox populi, Vox Dei.

Our people, our wealth

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our people have always been the Philippines' greatest wealth.  Of our 100 million talents, we have shared 700,000 with Canada.

In this concert, we are spotlighting two Philippine-trained, proudly Filipino-Canadian pianists from Vancouver, Dorothy Uytengsu and Victoria Francisco, as well as two Philippine-bred sopranos who, by the way, we would like to keep, Bianca Camille Lopez and Aizel Izza Prietos.

Two by two, they will make our hearts beat to the tune of Filipino-Canadian friendship.

If we were to set Philippine-Canadian ties to music, it would be played animato or lively.  We deem it an honor that the Philippines was the first country in our part of the world to be visited by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Foreign Affairs Stéphane Dion shortly after they assumed their high offices.

Prime Minister Trudeau was also among the first to congratulate President-Elect Duterte in a telephone call last month.

To be sure, our shared democratic and family values remain the lynchpin of Philippines-Canada relations with strong people-to-people ties and robust commercial relations driving our friendship forward.  The Third Meeting of the Philippines-Canada Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in Manila later this year is bound to keep up our present tempo.

Customarily, this moment calls for a toast to Philippines-Canada bilateral relations.  But given the sadness of recent events, I ask you to join me instead in a moment of silence for precious lives lost to terrorism around the world and in my own country.

For John Ridsdel.

For Robert Hall.

For the Filipino soldiers who bravely gave their lives in the rescue efforts.

Honourable Members of Parliament, Excellencies, Dear Friends,

In fair or foul weather, Canada has been a good and great friend of the Philippines.  We are therefore much obliged to have with us this evening The Honourable Stéphane Dion and thankful that he found time to commemorate with us the most important event in Philippine history.

Dear Guests,

The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada.