Best of the Philippines

Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Sutherland recently hosted a luncheon at the Canadian official residence in Makati City to honor distinguished Filipino-Canadians who were given the Presidential Banaag and Pamana ng Pilipino Awards by no less than President Arroyo in ceremonies in Malacanang recently. Continue below.

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These Presidential Awards are given biennially to outstanding Filipino individuals and private organizations for advancing the cause of Filipino communities abroad or for supporting specific sectors and communities in the Philippines.

The awards were organized by the Philippines' Commission for Overseas Workers and the Department of Foreign Affairs though the Philippine embassies and consulates worldwide.

"It is a pleasure meeting our awardees today. It is an exceptional honor to be recognized out of the 400,000 Filipino-Canadians and the eight million Filipinos living outside the Philippines," Sutherland said to more than 30 special guests who were invited to meet the honorees.

"You are worthy ambassadors not just for the Philippines but for Canada as well. You are distinguished both by your professional accomplishment and for what you have contributed to your communities in Canada and in the Philippines. We can all learn from your example."

This year's recipients of the Presidential citations included two individuals and to organizations:

Lawyer Alicia Natividad from Ottawa, the first Filipina lawyer admitted to the Ontario Bar, and founder of the Canada-Philippines Business Council; Art Viola, former Mayor and two-time Deputy Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake; the renowned Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe from Toronto, and the acclaimed Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble from Montreal, both honored for promoting Filipino culture to foreign audiences.

December 27, 2004

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