On behalf of the Senate of Canada, I wish to convey my warmest congratulations to Filipinos all over the world celebrating the 116th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of the Philippines.
The declaration of independence made in 1898, after over 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, marked the start of a journey that now finds Filipinos in every corner of the world, working in every industry imaginable, making the Philippines one of the world’s first truly global nations.
There are over 600,000 Filipinos in Canada, with the Philippines becoming the top source of new immigrants. Filipinos can be found contributing positively to every facet of Canadian society, from the arts and culture, to finance and education, as well as public service.
The special relationship that Canada has with the Philippines is one built upon shared family values of acceptance and tolerance, sacrifice and charity. Recent events such as Typhoon Haiyan are testament to the enduring spirit of the Filipino people, and Canada’s response indicative of our willingness to help those in times of need.
As the Filipino community continues to grow here in Canada, we look forward to continuing building an even stronger relationship with the Philippines.
Congratulations to the Philippines on the 116th Anniversary of their independence
