Congen Mahilum-West bids adieu to the community

Congen Mahilum-West bids adieu to the community

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By Rachelle Cruz

After nearly three years of service to the Philippines and kababayans in Toronto and other Canadian provinces, Consul General Junever Mahilum-West bids adieu to the Filipino-Canadian community. She was recently appointed as the Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Jordan with concurrent jurisdiction over the Palestine Republic, and will end her term as Consul General by this month’s end.

Congen Mahilum-West bids adieu (PHOTO: HG)

With her long career in foreign service, this new assignment is a welcome change. Still, the appointment as a high-ranking diplomat comes with a host of challenges,

“I will be facing different challenges over there because for one thing, the size of the community there is smaller, 38,000 – 40,000 but different naman yung mga concerns doon. And the profile of the community is also different. Marami tayong kababayan doon na mga household staff,” Congen Mahilum-West said.

“I think that may mga take-aways ako na pwedeng dalhin, Toronto to Amman, in the way that I was inspired by the community groups here in organizing their events. They were really big events that raised the profile of the community and I think that the community from Amman can learn from that as well,” she added.

Straight from graduating with a Bachelor of Science Foreign Service from University of the Philippines, Diliman back in 1980, Mahilum-West steadily nurtured her career in Foreign Service, her assignments abroad notably her time in the Philippine Embassy in Paris from 1995-2001; Philippine Mission to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva between 2004-2010, and as a Consul General in Toronto since May 2012. She is fluent in Filipino (Tagalog), Cebuano, and French. She is also known for her talents in painting, photography and classical guitar. She is an honorary member of the Philippine Artists Group of Canada (PAG), Lady of the Knights of Rizal, and also a member of Kababaihang Rizalista.

Congen Mahilum-West at art exhibit at Consualte last year. Photo:HG

During her term, Congen Mahilum-West noted similarities and differences of the Filipino communities she has served,

“They are all Pinoy na Pinoy pa rin. And they love all things Filipino like fiestas, showcasing our culture; they would like to familiarize themselves with the Philippines again. The challenge with that is that we have so many associations and all of them are very busy and active – it was quite a challenge to cover all the events. But in terms of the fervor and in being Filipino, similar yung mga communities that I’ve met,” she expressed.

“The Filipino youth here is very dynamic as well, and I think that we should harness yung special characteristic nila, na parang they have a multi-world view kasi they have this Filipino heritage and at the same time they are well entrenched in the bigger society in Canada” she said.

And in serving a large Filipino-Canadian community across the GTA, the office recently transferred to a spacious office at 160 Eglinton Ave. East and upgraded their services. Congen reported that there was an increase in dual citizenship, and e-voting registrations, as well as consular outreach missions during her term.

Congen with staff and officers at the new consulate office.

“Because of the new e-passport, kailangan yung personal presence ng applicant. This meant that we had to have more consular mission outreach to places na malayo sa Toronto. We’ve gone to Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, as well as Windsor. So we had to bring the services closer to them and it will save them the money of buying a plane ticket, and staying in a hotel. Kami na ang nagpupunta doon. Para hindi na sila gumastos ng malaki,” she explained.

Aside from ensuring efficient service delivery of consular services, the Consulate is fraught with other socio-political issues, such as the concerns with the situation of temporary foreign workers and caregivers.
Congen explained that the Consulate tries to help our kababayans, but also emphasized the need for personal responsibility.

“Yun ang pinasasalamatan namin dahil communities are willing to help. Kung minsan nakakakuha tayo ng funding from Department of Foreign affairs. Lahat yan pinu-pool natin para makatulong,” Congen explained, in cases where TFW’s do not have insurance coverage during their stay here. In worst cases, a TFW’s untimely death can result in consequences, where financial resources are needed to repatriate the body.

In dire circumstances, she offered, “Nag-aambag-ambag kami and then we pool our donations together. That’s the best we can do. But I think it would be more responsible to just make sure that you have coverage, for any eventuality.”
“The best we can do is to ipa-abot sa mga Canadian authorities kung may mga fears, ano ba yung mga kanilang kinatatakutan, ano ba yung kanilang questions. Fortunately we already have institutions set up for meetings for bilateral relations,” she stressed.

Indeed, the major challenge was to cater to the needs of the community. Many have crossed-paths with Congen, and this is what they had to say,

“Her incredible support for the arts and culture sectors has been monumental. During her term, we saw the rise of the World’s First Canada Philippine Fashion Week, as well, as Canada for Philippines Benefit All-Star Concert for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, both Kol Hope initiatives, which raised funds to help children,” Melinda Rustia stated on behalf of Kol Hope Foundation for Children.

“Congen Junever’s leadership has been that of strength, compassion and also of great heart. She continues to inspire pride among Filipino-Canadians to share the Philippine culture with the rest of Canada,” she added.
From Ottawa, Senator Tobias Enverga Jr, echoed those sentiments: “She is often seen at community events, she has spearheaded support of cultural initiatives, and she has promoted Filipino culture in Canada. This is not only important to showcase the Philippines, but it strengthens the Filipino-Canadian identity and place in the multicultural mosaic that Canada is. My wife Rosemer and I have had the privilege of spending much time with her, and we are honoured to say that we consider her a friend. I am sad to see Mrs. Mahilum-West and her husband John leave, but we understand that this is the nature of foreign service, and I wish her all the best in her new adventures,” he ended.

Others like Migrante Canada had worked with Congen during Typhoon Haiyan, but they hope however, that the successor will have greater engagement with social justice advocacy groups in the near future.
“When we engage with the consulate, we are engaging essentially the Philippine government. And it’s been the same, whether it’s Congen or not. There is no proactive approach in helping our kababayans unless we ask them. We hope that they would take a proactive role in protecting migrant workers, live-in caregivers, help in asking what they would need,” Jesson Reyes, Ontario Regional Coordinator, Migrante Canada, respectfully articulated.

And some have expressed a more pointed view:

“Cultivation of goodwill through exchange of art, tourism and projection of a better image to the world won quite a following for the Toronto Philippine Consulate. While subscription to soft power tactics was played brilliantly by the outgoing foreign service officer, the new representative will only appeal widely if her/his office grants fundamental rights and consular assistance to Filipino nationals, especially in the foreseeable future of the mass deportations in Canada. Now more than ever, in the midst of the political crisis in the homeland, it is vital for the government to think about how best to use what resources it’s left with,” visual artist Ysh Cabana of Anakbayan Toronto said.

In the end, Congen’s voice was filled with hope for the community that she is leaving behind,
“Here, I saw na parang nage-evolve na yung mga interest ng community members. Dati siguro, talagang we were engrossed in making a living, providing well for our families, pero ngayon we are looking out now, parang we would like to serve the larger community.”