PR-6-2025
Ms. Myca Magnolia M. Fischer, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., addressed around 300 participants during the 2025 Pinoys on Parliament Welcome Gala on 21 February 2025 at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building in Ottawa
24 February 2025, Ottawa – The Philippine Embassy in Canada successfully hosted the 2025 Pinoys on Parliament (POP) Welcome Gala at the prestigious Sir John A. Macdonald Building, located on Parliament Hill, Ottawa on 21 February 2025. The event was attended by around 300 Filipino and Filipino-Canadian youth from across Canada, as well as prominent leaders of the Canadian government, and members of the Filipino-Canadian community. It was organized by Kabangka, an organization dedicated to fostering connections among Filipino-Canadian youths across the country.
POP 2025 Welcome Gala participants and the “75 Faces of Migration” exhibit located at the entrance.
This year’s POP event highlighted the theme "Panahon" – a word deeply rooted in Filipino culture, symbolizing the changing seasons and the evolution of time. POP aimed to equip delegates with the tools and confidence to embrace growth and change in both personal and professional aspects of life. It also underscored the shared experiences of the youth as they embrace their heritage while forging new identities in Canada.
The event started with an interactive activity, facilitated by the artists in residence, ka.likha.saan, who guided the participants through an exploration of the Indigenous Filipino understanding of land-based, cyclical, and layered concepts of panahon.
In welcoming the participants to this year’s conference, Ms. Myca Magnolia M. Fischer, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., reminded them of the rich Filipino heritage and culture they bring as migrants to Canada. Ms Fischer further remarked, “Your journey reflects the resilience and adaptability of your parents and ancestors, who navigated the tides of history with strength and determination. As you engage with fellow delegates and speakers over the next few days, I encourage you to embrace the lessons and wisdom shared here—carrying them forward into your own journey as emerging leaders while staying rooted in the identity and heritage that make us proudly Filipino.”
Video performance of Guest Keynote Speaker Andrea Macasaet
Filipino-Canadian Senator Flordeliz “Gigi” Osler, Minister of Small Business Rechie Valdez, Conservative Member of Parliament for Calgary Heritage Shuvaloy Majumdar also attended and shared their messages. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the leader of the New Democratic Party sent their welcome messages through a letter and video, respectively. Andrea Macasaet, a Grammy nominated and Drama Desk Award winning performer who originated the principal role of Anne Boleyn in SIX on Broadway, delivered the keynote address. Macasaet is a Filipina-Canadian from Winnipeg, Manitoba and is the recipient of the 2024 Trailblazer Award from Pinays of Manitoba.
The POP 2025 Welcome Gala has become a staple in celebrating Filipino youth leadership and creativity, and continues to inspire a sense of unity and pride among young Filipinos across Canada.
The Embassy treated the participants to Filipino cuisine such as chicken inasal, mixed pancit bihon and canton, chopsuey, and tropical desserts such as buko pandan and cassava cake. The Embassy also installed an exhibit showcasing the “75 Faces of Migration”.
The Embassy treated the participants to Filipino cuisine
The gala was capped with cultural performances, and networking opportunities, all aimed at promoting the cultural richness of the Philippines and reinforcing the strong bonds of youth within the Filipino-Canadian community.
Pinoys on Parliament (POP) is the first and largest national leadership conference for Filipino-Canadian youth organized by Kabangka, a youth-led and youth-centered leadership organization that unites and supports young Filipino-Canadians in a variety of sectors. POP hosted workshops, discussions, and cultural events from 21 to 23 February 2025. This year is the 7th Annual POP Youth Leadership Conference since its launch in 2019. END