SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Philippine Independence Day—Filipino Heritage Month

Mabuhay, honourable senators. Today, I am delighted to rise in celebration of both Philippine Independence Day and Filipino Heritage Month.

I would also like to extend a warm welcome to my guests in the gallery: first, the Philippine Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, who has worked to strengthen Filipino-Canadian diplomatic relations; second, Mrs. Rosemer Enverga, the President of the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation and spouse of our former colleague the late Senator Tobias Enverga, Jr. It was Senator Enverga who established the annual Philippine flag raising ceremony here on Parliament Hill.

Finally, welcome to this year’s interns from the National Philippine Parliamentary Internship Program. These young Filipino-Canadian professionals are near the end of a six-week internship working with both MPs and senators. The interns have been learning how Parliament operates, and we, parliamentarians, have appreciated their work and contributions.

Now, let’s go back in time. On June 12, 1898, after 333 years of Spanish colonial rule, the Philippines proclaimed independence and raised its flag for the first time. In the Philippines, flag-raising ceremonies are deeply revered as prominent celebrations on Independence Day.

In present-day Canada, Filipino Heritage Month is celebrated in June, and communities raise both the Philippine and the Canadian flag, a ceremony that instills a deep sense of pride for those of us with Filipino heritage. The month is a celebration of the Filipino people, our history of endurance and tenacity and an acknowledgment of the cultural and social contributions we bring to Canada.

For me, it is a tremendous honour to be the second senator of Filipino descent, after Senator Enverga, and the first Filipino senator to represent the 1 million Canadians with Filipino heritage.

I know there are other senators in this chamber who understand the privilege of representing peoples and communities. I’d like to take this moment to highlight a particular colleague and friend. The Honourable Mohammad Al Zaibak is the sole sitting Syrian‑born Arab Canadian senator. He has taken on the privilege of representing his community with pride, humility and love.

Senator Al Zaibak, you have been an inspiration by upholding your heritage and giving back to your community through your hard work, humanity and representation.

Thank you for your service, and I wish you all the best in your retirement — I mean, graduation — from the Senate of Canada. In closing, honourable senators, I wish you all a pancit- and lumpia-filled Filipino Heritage Month and a happy Philippines Independence Day.

Thank you. Maraming salamat po. Meegwetch.