02 October 2019, Ottawa – The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa successfully launched Pamana – Sights and Sounds of Our Filipino Heritage held on 26 September 2019 at the Sentro Rizal of the Chancery of the Embassy. The event featured the artwork of talented Filipino-Canadian artists – Mr. Pepito Escanlar and Ms. Ella Brion – and the music of Minstrels of Hope, who flew all the way from Manila. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic community, Canadian personalities, members of the International Club of Ottawa, and members of a business delegation from the Philippines led by DTI Undersecretary Rowel S. Barba.

Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia welcomed the guests, noting that the event is “a symbolic journey of preserving the multifaceted talents of Filipinos and passing these to the next generation of Filipinos and Filipino-Canadians, with the hope that those who will receive will further build on these sights and sounds and pass these on to the future generation of the Filipino diaspora in Canada.”

Mr. Escanlar is a multi-awarded artist from Regina whose work demonstrated specific elements of the richness of the Filipino culture such as our practice of Bayanihan – the spirit of communal unity, work, and cooperation shown in the carrying of a Filipino home by members of the community when its owners relocate. Ms. Brion, on the other hand, featured her visual interpretation of “covenant” and virtues like joy and mercy through paintings of tulip flowers.

The Minstrels of Hope is a service-oriented choral group which advocates increased public awareness about the plight of the poor on the margins of society and poverty alleviation. Its members are themselves from underprivileged families who try to help other poor members of their community through the development of artistic talents, showing us that people who may be disadvantaged can still help others. END.