PHL offers parols to decorate Ottawa streets

Philippine officials in Canada have offered Philippine parols (Christmas lanterns) to bring holiday cheer to Ottawa.

 

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Ambassador Leslie Gatan made the offer during a courtesy call on Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson last December 7.

 

"Complimenting Ottawa's Christmas Lights program, Ambassador Gatan offered to contribute Philippine Christmas lanterns to the capital's festive nightscape," the DFA said.

 

Gatan also explored the possibility of establishing cultural cooperation with the National Arts Center where the Mayor sits in the Board of Trustees.

 

"The Mayor was quick to accommodate the Ambassador's representations and offered to facilitate linkages between the Embassy and the National Arts Center," the DFA said.

 

During the call, Gatan thanked Watson for keeping the annual tradition of proclaiming Philippine Heritage Week every June 12 to 19.

 

Gatan also thanked Watson for participating in many Filipino community events such as the flag-raising ceremony at the Ottawa City Hall and the Philippine Independence Day picnic at Vincent Massey Park every year.

 

Gatan admired the strong sense of community in the city where Filipinos are among the top 10 visible minority groups.

 

Also, he sought Watson's assistance in expanding the Philippine Heritage Week to include a Philippine Fiesta to further raise the profile of the Filipino community in Ottawa.

 

For his part, Watson acknowledged the great support for his office coming from the Filipino community.

 

Philippine participation in His Worship's East Africa Famine Relief fundraiser in September 2011 is the latest gesture of Filipino solidarity with the Mayor's advocacy. — LBG, GMA News