35 TOP NEWS IN 2018 IN THE ONTARIO FILIPINO CANADIAN COMMUNITY
Toronto-Canada
January 5, 2019
Welcome, 2019! Goodbye, 2018! The year past have had significant news and happenings arguably, however, that need to be reviewed and recollected to serve as an important reminder and valuable information, as well.
Chronologically, here are the top 35 news summary highlights that came out and somehow impacted the Filipino Canadian community to a point over the past 12 months with stories from community events to government policy changes to milestone celebrations. To wit:
*Canada Immigration reopened on January 2, 2018 , the application for immigration sponsorship of parents and grandparents to the country.
*Mabini Express, a long time money transfer service company in the GTA, suddenly closed in January 2018.
*On March 4th, the Filipino Heritage Month Council-FHMC was organized to help promote and encourage the celebration and recognition of exemplary contributions and achievements of Filipino Canadians to their adopted country.
*The Philippine Arts & Social Studies in the Ontario Curriculum- PASSOC on March 8th launched Philippine -focused curriculum materials for Grade 8 Geography, Grade 6 Social Studies and Grades 6 to 8 Dance in the Toronto Catholic District School Board elementary schools with large Filipino Canadian student population.
*The Progressive Conservative Provincial Nominations Committee set aside the nomination of Fil-Can Angely Pacis , the official Member of Provincial Parliament -MPP candidate for Mississauga Centre on March 15th,
*Jollibee Foods Corporation, a Philippine-based popular fast-food chain opened a Jollibee restaurant on April 1, 2018, in Scarborough. Jolibee's second restaurant opened on July 20th in Mississauga's Seafood City supermarket.
*The Toronto Catholic District School Board on May 17th proclaimed "June as Filipino Heritage Month" and "June 12 as Filipino Heritage Day" thereafter in all elementary and secondary schools in Toronto. Its inaugural celebration was held on June 12th at the Catholic Education Centre in North York.
*Culture Philippines Ontario-CPO held "Carrasauga 2018" at Hershey Centre, Mississauga on May 25th to 27th.
*Canada Immigration, on June 1st, started to relax the restrictions on immigrant applicants with disabilities and chronic health problems. The threshold cost for medical inadmissibility was raised to $19,965, said to be the average annual health cost for Canadians.
*On June 2nd, the Filipino Heritage Month Council and then Toronto Councillor Neethan Shan held a "Filipino Heritage Month Opening Reception" in Scarborough. The Mississauga Santacruzan celebrated its 34th anniversary, also on June 2nd, at the Larry Taylor Hall, Mississauga Valley Community Centre
*6 Filipino -Canadians, Nerissa Carino (Pickering-Uxbridge), Ramon Estaris(York Centre), George Garvida(Scarborough-Guildwood), Carlos Lacuna( Scarborough-Agincourt), Alex Pacis( Mississauga Centre) and Alvin Tedjo ( Oakville North- Burlington) ran for Member of Provincial Parliament -MPP posts, but lost, in the June 7th Ontario provincial election. Doug Ford was elected Ontario Premier.
*On June 8th, KFCO's Philippine Independence Day Gala at Capitol Banquet Centre with special guest Philippine Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito
*The TCDSB conducted June 9th, the "11th Proudly Pinoy Day" at Francis Libermann Catholic High School in Scarborough. The PCUAA Summerfest 2018 was held at Mississauga Valley Park on June 9th with UST bagging the championship.
*A Flag-raising program was officiated to commemorate Philippine Freedom Day on June 10th at the Bathurst - Wilson Parkette in Little Manila, North York.
*On June 12th, Philippine Consul General Rosalita Prospero hosted the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration at the Consulate General office in Toronto. Likewise, the Federation of Filipino Canadians Association-Ontario sponsored the Philippine Independence Day Flag-raising event at Queen's Park .
* "Pinoy Fiesta & Trade Show Sa Toronto" of Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation - PCCF was held on June 16th at Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The Filipino Centre Toronto - FCT conducted its annual "Pistahan Sa Toronto" on June 16-17 at Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall, Toronto.
*The "Vaughan Pinoy Extravaganza", was presented by MCBN Media, FCAV and TFC Kapamilya on June 23-24, 2018 at Dufferin Clark Public Park, Thornhill.
*The Bata 2 Batapreneur organization conducted a "Children's Fair for Filipino Canadians" on July 7th and a "Children's Christmas Market" on December 1st.
*Kalayaan Filipino Canadian Organization-KFCO organized the "Philippine Festival Mississauga 2018" on July 7-8 at the Mississauga Celebration Square.
* "Carabram Festival" on July 13-15 at the Century Gardens Recreation Centre, Brampton. PhilCan Mosaic Inc. and IPEN presented the "PhilCan Mosaic Festival", on July 14th, at David Pecaut Square, Toronto.
*Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on July 20th that the Child Care Benefit -CCB was increased to keep up with the cost of living. The CCB will have a maximum annual benefit of $6,496 per child under 6 years old and $5,481 per child aged 6 to 17 years old. On average, families will receive $6800 a year, tax- free.
*On August 4th, Ontario Premier Ford's PC government slashed the Toronto City Council from 47 wards to 25 wards under Bill 5( the Better Local Government Act). The first "Flavours of the Philippines" caravan festival was held on August 4 & 5 at the Albert Campbell Square, Scarborough Civic Centre, Toronto.
*The Filipino Centre Toronto- FCT inaugurated its new main office in Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough on August 12th.
*The 5th annual "Taste of Manila Street Festival", August 17-18 with official assistance by Toronto Mayor John Tory and York Centre Councillor James Pasternak.
*PIDC's "20th Mabuhay Philippines Festival" held on August 25-26 at Nathan Philips Square, City Hall, Toronto with Philippine concert king Martin Nievera, renowned fashion designers Renee Salud, Shanon Pamaong & Kenneth Barliss and Grammy & Tony Award-winning producer Jhett Tolentino, as special guests.
*The 2nd Golden Balangay Annual Awards Day was undertaken on September 8th at the BMO Institute for Learning, Toronto.
*The Filipino Channel -TFC " Tikim Filipino Food Fun Run/ Walk" event was held on September 22nd at Earl Bales Park, North York.
*On October 13th, the Filipino Seniors of Mississauga -FSM celebrated its 36th anniversary with a "Carribean flair" at the Kalayaan Community Centre.
*The production and possession of marijuana were officially legalized in Canada with the passage of the Cannabis Act under Bill C-45 on October 17, 2018.
*Annak Ti Batac Association - Canada, held its 19th inaugural ball on October 20th at Delta Toronto East Hotel.
*15 Fil-Cans ran for elective posts on the October 22nd Ontario municipal elections. TCDSB trustee Garry Tanuan and DPCDSB trustee Luz del Rosario were re-elected. Brampton's Rowena Santos and Ajax's Lisa Abarquez- Bower won as councillors. Eight other Council candidates and 3 TCDSB school trustee candidates were unsuccessful. Incumbent Mayor John Tory was re-elected.
*On October 28th, the Filipino Centre Toronto held its "12th Annual Outstanding Students Awards" day. 14 top Fil-Can graduates in elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools in the GTA received Plaques of Recognition, Congratulatory Certificates, and Cash awards.
*Canada's House of Commons on October 30, 2018 , adopted Motion 155 sponsored by Member of Parliament for Scarborough Centre Salma Zahid thus officially declaring June as Filipino Heritage Month "from coast to coast to coast".
*The Markham FFC Youth Performing Arts Group presented "This is the Season Christmas" concert on November 24th at St. Elizabeth School in Markham.
*Starting December 31st, applicants for temporary and permanent visas who are nationals from Asia, Asia Pacific, and the Americas will need to give their fingerprints and photo biometrics.
Looking back is a good attitude bringing a good vibe in moving forward. Live your life's best always! Have a safe, peaceful, and prosperous New Year to one and all! (Tony A. San Juan, OCT).