02 October 2019, Ottawa – Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia, DTI Undersecretary Rowel S. Barba, and First Secretary Jeffrey Salik, together with a delegation from the Philippines composed of representatives from the film animation and electronic games industry, attended a panel discussion entitled “Global Check in: Canary Island, Jamaica, and the Philippines,” held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier on 26 September 2019. The panel discussion was part of the Animation Conference and the Ottawa International Animation Film Festival.

Undersecretary Barba led the business delegation, and was one of the panelists during the discussion. He presented key economic developments in the Philippines as well as several opportunities for Canadian film animation companies in collaborating their counterparts in the Philippines. The panel also included Mr. Ms. Queila Delgado, Economic Representative of the Canary Islands Government and Mr. Chris Benjamin, Vice Consul, Trade and Investment, Consulate General of Jamaica in NY, USA.

After the panel discussions, Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI) represented by its Vice President, Marlyn L. Montano, and Toon Boom Animation, Inc. represented by its Co-President, Francois Lalonde, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on their collaboration for a “Train the Trainer” and “Train the Teacher” programs.

ACPI is an association of animation companies in the Philippines based in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines, while Toon Boom Animation is a duly-registered Canadian corporation headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. END.