PR-67-2025

Philippine flag raised at Ottawa City Hall

16 June 2025, Ottawa - The Philippine flag was raised at Ottawa City Hall on June 12, 2025, in a ceremony marking the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence. The annual event, organized by the Philippine Independence Committee of Ottawa Valley (PICOV) led by its Chairperson Nora Arriola, brought together officials, community leaders, and members of the Filipino-Canadian community in a vibrant display of patriotism and unity.

In her remarks, Philippine Ambassador Maria Andrelita Austria, who is concluding her tour of duty in Canada, exhorted the community, “You are our country’s best ambassadors, best positioned to actively engage Canada in the pursuit of Philippine interests, the two most important of which are the rule of law in the West Philippine Sea; and the welfare of Kababayans, both here and in the Philippines.”

Above photos: Addressing the audience - PICOV chairperson Nora Arriola (left); Mabuhay Strummers singing the Philippines and Canada’s national anthems (right); Bottom photos: H.E. Maria Andrelita S. Austria (left); and Ottawa City Mayor Mark Sutcliffe (right)

Ambassador Austria and Ottawa City Mayor Mark Sutcliffe jointly led the ceremonial flag-raising, reaffirming the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Canada. Mabuhay Strummers, a Filipino-Canadian string group played the Philippine National Anthem, Lupang Hinirang,   setting a heartfelt and celebratory tone for the occasion.

A salu-salo (communal breakfast) at the Embassy’s Mindanao Hall with the members of the Filipino-Canadian community.

The event was well-attended by officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, as well as Filipino-Canadian community organizations, who gathered in solidarity to honor the Philippines' journey to nationhood.

A salu-salo (communal breakfast) at the Embassy’s Mindanao Hall with the members of the Filipino-Canadian community.

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a traditional salu-salo (communal breakfast) at the Embassy’s Mindanao Hall, where messages from Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo were played, bringing the community closer to their first home and motherland. END

H.E. Maria Andrelita S. Austria in a group photo with the members of the Filipino-Canadian community in Ottawa.