This was the picture of the Friendship Parkette last year (2020).

We have received a grant to beautify the Philippine Friendship Parkette from the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The aim of our project is to support our seniors  by promoting socialization, mental health and physical health through gardening the area which includes planting flowers, shrubs, vegetables near the Friendship Parkette Sign. This grant also includes  line dancing and Zumba exercises which gets seniors moving in a fun way.

Due to COVID-19, we had to post-pone the start of the project to June 15 2020. We had a maximum of five volunteers, at a given time, due to the restrictions and guidelines recommended by health officials.We also had safety measures in place  such as mandatory masks, gloves, and a physical distance of at least two metres between each individual.

We have purchased and received donations in the form of shrubs, flowers, a handful of vegetables and other plants to beautify the friendship parkette and its’ surroundings. We have also created a small vegetable garden that will help get out seniors active and engaged.

We would like to thank Frank Miele, and Jackie Cristini who spearheaded the beautification of the Philippine Friendship Parkette. Likewise we would like to thank FCAV volunteers like Tony I, Gary G, Joel M, Sonny M, Atilla M, Gloria D, Pastor Nars Tuyading and his crew from the Maple Baptist Church. In addition we would like to thank Giselle Mirasol, who donated $100 for the project.

The 22nd Anniversary of Twinning between the City of Vaughan and Baguio City was celebrated on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Patricia Kemp Community Centre, 7894 Dufferin St., Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.

In October 30, 1997, “Twinning” otherwise called “Friendship Agreement” between the City of Vaughan, Canada and Baguio City, Philippines was signed.  This inception marked the 1^st Friendship Agreement between the governments of the Philippines and Canada in the province of Ontario. Its objective was to promote social, cultural and educational exchanges and economic opportunity between the two cities. The Filipino- Canadian Association of Vaughan or FCAV is very proud to have been the catalyst for this historical achievement.

Since then, there have been official visits; educational student exchanges; participation in centennial celebration of Baguio City; yearly celebration of Philippine Independence in Vaughan known as Filipino Day; construction of the Twin City  Monument Sign in Baguio City; Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza to celebrate Filipino heritage and the granting of a 20-year lease of Patricia Kemp Community Centre to the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan by the City in October 2012.

FCAV  is grateful to Mayor Bevilacqua and Members of Council, Hon. Peter Kent, MP for Thornhill, Hon. Michael Tibollo, MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge; Deb Schulte, MP for King-Vaughan; Francesco Sorbara, MP for Vaughan-Woodbridge, Gila Martow, MPP for Thornhill for their support.

As well, FCAV is thankful for the support of the Philippine Consulate headed by the Hon. Orontes  Castro who attended the event.

Likewise, FCAV is indebted to its officers, members and advisers, especially Professor Frank Miele, whose hard work and dedication throughout the years made the momentous occasion possible.

The program was emceed by Von Canton,  CEO of Media Group /Pinoy Radio.  Entertainment included a cultural dance by the Solid Rock Indigenous;  Filipino martial arts by instructor Gary, PUNITE; line dancing by FCAV seniors and Zumba headed by instructor, Aurora Laurel. The DJ was Ryan Orlanda, host of Pinoy Radio.

The 22nd Anniversary of Twinning was indeed a remarkable event.

Philippines Consulate General Hon. Orontes  Castro and Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

FCAV Officers with Linda Jackson and Dignitaries

MP for Thornhill, Hon. Michael Tibollo, Councilor Gino Rosati and Dignitaries

MC Von Canton of Pinoy Radio

PHB President, MP Michael Tibollo, FCAV President, Hon. Orontes  Castro, Deputy Mayor Ferri, Tony Insigne

Zumba instructor Aurora Halili (2nd from left) and Seniors Line Dancers

Zumba Dancers

Guro Gary Garduce (center) with Punite Martial Arts Students

Punite Martial Arts Demonstration

Solid Rock Indigenous Group Performance

Solid Rock Indigenous Group Performance

The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto is requesting Filipino Citizens to register for PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ELECTIONS. See details below:

REGISTRATION OF FILIPINO CITIZENS FOR

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ELECTIONS

All Filipino citizens who are at least eighteen (18) years old by 13 May 2019 and have not yet registered as overseas voters here in Canada are invited to REGISTER to be able to VOTE during the 2019 mid-term Philippine national elections.

WHAT : The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto will conduct

Overseas Voting Registration for the 2019 Philippine national elections

WHEN : SATURDAY, 12 May 2018

WHERE : FILIPINO CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF VAUGHAN

7894 DUFFERIN ST., VAUGHAN, ON L4K 1R6

TIME : 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M.

PLEASE BRING:

1) PHOTOCOPY OF PHILIPPINE PASSPORT and

2) PHOTOCOPY OF OATH OF ALLEGIANCE or IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE, if dual citizen (RA 9225)

The registration form may be downloaded at www.comelec.gov.ph or www.philcongen-toronto.com. We can also give you forms on the day of the registration.

See you in FILIPINO CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF VAUGHAN!

For more information, please contact:

7th Floor, 160 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, ON M4P 3B5 Tel. 416-922-7181 Fax. 416-992-2638 Website: www.philcongen-toronto.com Email: consularmatters@philcongen-toronto.com

The City of Vaughan and Baguio City, Philippines celebrated the 20^th Anniversary of the Friendship Agreement (otherwise known as “Twinning”) on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Patricia Kemp Community Centre, 7894 Dufferin St., Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. The event was organized by the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) in partnership with the Economic Development of the City of Vaughan.

Established on October 30, 1997, the objective of the Friendship Agreement was to promote social, cultural and educational exchanges and economic opportunity between the two cities.

Since then, there have been official visits, educational endeavours, twin city signs, donation of goods and money, celebration of Philippine independence in Vaughan known as Filipino Day, granting of a 20 year lease of Patricia Kemp Community Centre by the City of Vaughan to FCAV and many other undertakings.

The eight member delegation headed by Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan was hosted by the City of Vaughan for 5 days and stayed at Springhills Suites, Marriott, Vaughan. The guests

included Mrs. Rebecca Domogan (wife of Mayor Domogan), Atty. Betty Lourdes Tabanda (former Councillor and past Chair of the Sister City Committee)  and husband Engr. Jun Tabanda, Ryan Mangusan (Executive Assistant to the Mayor), Betty Fangasan (Manager, Department of Social Welfare)  Edith Furigay, Asst. Manager, Department of Social Welfare) and Judith Iniguid (Secretary to the Mayor).

The guests toured the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (new downtown of Vaughan) and had a lunch reception at the Eagles Nest.  Both Mayor Domogan and Mayor Bevilacqua signed a certificate to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Twinning, and took part in gift exchanges to the members of the delegation, Members of Council and other officials. The delegation toured McMichael Canadian Art Collection, CN Tower, Casa Loma and Niagara Falls. The guests also visited Aquaculture farm in Erin, Ontario, attended a reception of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Toronto and listened to the presentations of Canadian Businessmen as well as members of the Philippine Trade Mission in Canada headed by the executive director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Cora dela Cruz.

The final day of the visit was on October 28th at Patricia Kemp Community Centre (PKCC). Mayor Domogan was interviewed by the Pinoy Radio / MCBN Media Group. There was a ribbon cutting to mark the official opening of a parkette called “Filipino-Canadian of Vaughan Friendship parkette” to be installed at the southeast corner of PKCC. The actual celebration of the 20th anniversary of twinning took place Saturday night wherein the Mayor of Vaughan, Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council, Member of Parliament Hon. Peter Kent of Thornhill, and other Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament, the Philippine Consul General as well as the residents of the community all attended.

The program was emceed by Rey Tolentino, director of FCAV. Entertainment included a cultural dance by children of the Solid Rock Indigenous, and the St. Paschal String group conducted by Leonina Magtibay performed instrumental string entitled “Anniversary Dance”.  Rev. Mario Lorenzana of St. Paschal Baylon Church led the invocation.

In his speech, Mayor Mauricio Domogan stated that the City of Baguio has a lot to learn from its sister city. He highlighted the innovation of Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) as the Vaughan’s New Downtown.

The Mayor of Baguio also emphasized the similarities between him and Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua stating the same first name, same year they entered in politics, the number of times elected (10) and their service in the federal government / national government and local government. Mayor Domogan pointed out though that Mayor Bevilacqua is much younger and more handsome.

In her remarks, Erlinda Insigne, president of FCAV, welcomed Mayor Domogan and the Baguio City delegation. She emphasized the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan thrived throughout the years in better servicing the Filipino community and FCAV is extremely proud of its accomplishments over the past 2 decades. She also thanked all the officers and members of FCAV whose hard work and dedication throughout the  years made this momentous occasion possible.