(Left to Right) Benedetta Gauthier-Mamaril entertain members of the Senate of Canada with her soulful rendition of Filipino classic songs while guests gamely don Filipiniana clothes at the Philippine photo booth

30 May 2016 - Thought provoking films, Persons with Disability (PWD) and Gender advocacies, Filipino traditional wear and a new take on Philippine cuisine comprised the Philippines' offerings for the celebration of Asian Heritage Month in Ottawa this May.

Senate of Canada gets Asian Heritage Month underway

On 3 May 2016, the Philippine Embassy assembled a dress-up photo booth at the Senate of Canada's Asian Heritage Month festivities where guests enjoyed donning Filipiniana clothes and accessories even as they earned a photo keepsake of the occasion. Kicking off the afternoon's cultural presentations from various Asian visible minority groups, nine-year old Filipino Canadian violinist, Benedetta Gauthier-Mamaril, performed Maalaala Mo Kaya and Bayan Ko to perfection. Guests also polished off trays of Buco Pandan cake, Brazo de Mercedes with ube filling and tasty pancit bihon in short order.

(Left) Ambassador Garcia champions PWD and Gender advocacies at the private screening of Anna-Karina Tabunar'sTalent Untapped (Right) Ms. Tabuna responds to comments on PWD concerns

Championing PWD and Gender Models

To advance its PWD and Gender and Development (GAD) advocacies, the Philippine Embassy hosted a private screening of Talent Untapped, an eye-opening film by Filipino-Canadian Anna-Karina Tabunar, at the chancery on 26 May 2016.

Attended by members of the diplomatic corps, officials of Global Affairs Canada, representatives of the Asian Heritage Month Society as well as PWD supporters, the event spotlighted the talent of Ms. Tabunar, an accomplished journalist, film maker and PWD advocate, as well as award-winning chef Jil Aranas, whose Filipino heritage and Canadian education spawned exemplars not only of successful Asian-Canadians but also strong advocates of PWD and Gender and Development.

"Philippine history is replete with female and physically-impaired revolutionary heroes. Drawing inspiration from them, we intend to bring you that portion of Philippine cultural heritage that values equal opportunities for Women as well as Persons with Disabilities," Philippine Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia explained.

Ambassador Garcia availed herself of the occasion to tout great strides made by the Philippines relative to Gender and Development and bolstered the proposition that hiring PWDs makes economic sense as well as raises client satisfaction.

At the reception that followed the private screening, Chef Jil Aranas presented a variety of delectable Filipino canapes and a colorful selection of native refreshments.

(Left) Ambassador Garcia reviews the featured films from FDCP with members of the Filipino community in Ottawa 
(Right) The audience sit riveted to Heneral Luna

Double Feature at the Philippine Embassy

The full length feature films Ano Ang Kulay ng Nakalimutang Pangarap (What is the Color of Forgotten Dreams) and Heneral Luna capped Philippine events under the auspices of the Asian Heritage Month Society, with a double screening held at the Philippine Embassy on 27 May 2016.

The first film resonated with a largely Filipino-Canadian audience in a country challenged by a rapidly ageing population and where Filipinos constitute the majority of foreign caregivers.

Heneral Luna, on the other hand, encouraged some soul searching among members of the Filipino community and underscored timeless lessons on unity and patriotism.

Both films were loaned to the Embassy by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) through the Department of Foreign Affairs. A third film, Bonifacio, will be screened at the Embassy on 11 June 2016 on the occasion of the 118th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence.

"As Asian Heritage Month draws to a close tomorrow, the Philippine Embassy is very pleased by the positive reaction to our multi-dimensional celebration of Filipino heritage. We offer our profound thanks to the Senate of Canada, the Asian Heritage Month Society, Iona Street Media and the Film Development Council of the Philippines for supporting our cultural diplomacy initiatives," Ambassador Garcia stated. END

Photo credit:  Tim Obas