PIDC awards women for leadership, contribution to community

PIDC awards women for leadership, contribution to community

WFG Senior Executive Vice Chairman Agnes Miranda sponsored the event.

International Women’s Day

By Michelle Chermaine Ramos
The Philippine Reporter

The Philippine Independence Day Council held its first International Women’s Day awards luncheon on Sunday April 3, 2022, at FV Foods in Scarborough. Sponsored by community leader and entrepreneur, WFG Senior Executive Vice Chairman Agnes Miranda, the event celebrated women’s leadership and contributions in various fields in the Filipino Canadian community.

As with most of their events, there is always something inspiring about watching how the PIDC and WFG teams work behind the scenes to organize many of the community’s large and small events. The secret sauce? Camaraderie and teamwork inspired by caring leadership and friendship. The tireless titas of the community are the driving force behind getting many things done ranging from small gatherings to political rallies, charity fundraisers and large-scale events that led to the promotion and recognition of Filipino culture in Canada.

Special guests included Consul General Orontes V. Castro, the first elected Filipina Canadian MP Rechie Valdez of Mississauga Streetsville, MP Salma Zahid of Scarborough Centre, Honorary Consul of Malaysia Henry Lee, MP Ya’ara Saks of York Centre, Sid Ikeda of the Japanese community, Judy Yeung representing MP Shaun Chen, Liberal MPP Candidate for Scarborough Centre Mazhar Shafiq, Liberal MPP candidate for Willowdale Paul Saguil and 2022 Canadian Screen Award Supporting Actor nominee Steve Comilang.

Over 80 awardees were able to attend the event where most of the female leaders and community members finally gathered in person for the first time since the pandemic started. Following the guests’ inspiring speeches, awarded singers, Lilac Cana, Chyrell Samson and Marivic Fuentes delivered impromptu performances. The party ended in true Filipino fashion that evening with lots of dancing with Consul General Orontes Castro taking the lead in the cha-cha.

Rechie Valdez, MP of Mississauga-Streetsville

PIDC awardee Lilac Cana

PIDC Founder Norma Carpio

Journalist and social justice activist Mila Garcia receives award. Photo includes Consul General Orontes, MP Salma Zahid and Agnes Miranda, event sponsor.
Photo: Raymond Santos

The organizing committee of the PIDC International Women’s Day celebration L-R: Aris Elefano, Danny Orbillo, Suzy Llanera, Rory Elefano, Agnes Miranda, Ramon Estaris, Jean Pardo, Melinda Manlapaz and Ben Corpuz.

Ramon Estaris, MP Rechie Valdez, Paulina Corpuz of PATAC and Agnes Miranda.

Honorary Consul of Malaysia Henry Lee, Philippine Consul General Orontes V. Castro, owner of Casa Manila restaurant Mila Nabor Cuachon , MP Rechie Valdez and Agnes Miranda

Paul Saguil, Liberal MPP candidate

Consul General Orontes Castro and Mel Galeon of FV Foods

Singer and PIDC awardee Marivic Fuentes