PR-64-2025

Senator Gigi Osler, H.E. Maria Andrelita S. Austria, and Minister Rechie Valdez at the flag raising in Parliament Hill

16 June 2025, Ottawa - The Philippine Embassy joined the members of the Canada-Philippines Interparliamentary Friendship Group (CPIFG) in raising the Philippine flag at Parliament Hill on June 12, 2025. This gesture of friendship and solidarity commemorates the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence and the Filipino Heritage Month.

Senator Gigi Osler (left) and Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita S. Austria (right) addressing  the audience

Senator Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler, the first Canadian woman of Filipino descent appointed to the Senate of Canada, led the ceremony, together with the members of the Friendship Group. 

Senator Yonah Martin, MP Michael Kram, MP Leah Gazan, MP Salma Zahid, MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval delivered heartfelt messages honoring the resilience, contributions, and growing influence of the Filipino-Canadian community.

In her remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Maria Andrelita S. Austria underscored the significance of the Philippine flag being hoisted on Canadian soil, describing it as a powerful symbol of the enduring contributions of Filipinos to the fabric of Canadian society. 

The long journey of the Filipino community in Canada began with the arrival of the first recorded Filipino immigrant, Benson Flores, in 1861. Today, Filipinos are an integral part of the Canadian society with significant contributions in health, education, economy and governance.

Philippine Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Maria Andrelita S. Austria delivers her message to the audience

Notable Canadian women of Filipino descent, MP and Minister Rechie Valdez and Senator Gigi Osler are living examples of these contributions. They are a source of inspiration to the Filipino community, according to Ambassador Austria. 

“We look forward to continuing to work with them closely in strengthening our bilateral relations, as well as on issues that affect our community, …better conditions for temporary foreign workers, the recognition of their credentials earned in the Philippines, and the establishment of Filipino cultural centers across Canada”, Ambassador Austria said.

Left photo: Ambassador Austria (middle) posed with Mrs. Rosemer Enverga (left); right photo: a group photo with some members of the Filipino-Canadian community.

Also worthy of tribute was Mrs. Rosemer Enverga, who travelled all the way from Toronto to join the flag-raising ceremony. She is the wife of the late Senator Tobias Enverga, who pioneered the flag-raising tradition at Parliament Hill, and one of the first two Canadians of Filipino descent, the other being former MP Rey Pagtakhan, to be a part of the Canadian Parliament.

Unfurling of the giant Philippine flag.

A traditional unfurling and folding of a giant Philippine flag, guided by Philippine Consul Alexander Joseph Estomo, served as a fitting conclusion to the celebration. It left an imprint of Filipino bayanihan and of the lasting friendship between the Philippines and Canada in the hearts of many who either participated or witnessed the ceremony. 

Group photo with the members of the Canada-Philippines Interparliamentary Friendship Group and the Filipino-Canadian community who witnessed the event.

The commemoration of Philippine Independence Day and Filipino Heritage Month is held annually at Parliament Hill through a flag-raising and unfurling ceremony. These are made possible through the  effort of the CPIFG and the indomitable Filipino community. END