July 16, 2025 — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have pledged to deepen ties between their two countries.

July 16, 2025 — Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Dimasalang III International Artist Group provides free art classes to seniors aged 55 and over, bringing creativity, community, and joy into the lives of older adults.

July 16, 2025 — It’s rare to find a children’s book about a terrible world war waged by adults.  The Horse Soldier by Sandie Oreta Gillis is the first children’s book I’ve read about WW II as seen from the eyes of an innocent 10-year old.   What makes it even more significant is that it is a true story of people some of whom are still around today.  And so beautifully illustrated by Filipino artists from the Dimasalang III International Artists Group based in Vancouver. 

July 1, 2025 –Filipino-Canadian friends of the Surrey Public Library, in partnership with the Surrey Public Library (SPL), will launch a first ever Filipino-Canadian Author/Artist FeatureChildren’s Book showcasing Jesse the Dragosaur by Vancouver artist and author Danvic Briones.

July 1, 2025 - Canada’s Province of Nova Scotia and the Philippine government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing the protection of rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based in Nova Scotia.

JULY 1, 2025 - Centennial Square came alive yet again for two days on June 14 and 15, 2025, with MABUHAY!, the Filipino Canadian community of Victoria’s celebration of Philippine culture and traditions and observance of Philippine Independence Day.

July 1, 2025 - The Filipino community in Victoria got a musical treat on June 16, 2025, with the performance of :MEn, the Male Ensemble Philippines, at The United Commons (formerly the Metropolitan United Church) on Quadra St. Filipino Canadians of all ages turned out to welcome the group and enjoy their musical renditions, several of which were sweet reminders of home.

July 1, 2025 — Vancouver opera singer Renee Fajardo has a “love letter” for Filipinos.

July 1, 2025 — In making the documentary Outsiderness, filmmaker Carlo Alcos found what it means to belong.

June 16, 2025 — In a report by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines), remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) grew by three percent to an all-time high of US$3.73 billion in December 2024 from US$3.62 billion in the same period in 2023. 

June 16, 2025 — With the shifting immigration landscape in Canada, Filipinos wishing to live, study, and work in the country are seeing less chances of coming over.

June 16, 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General, in partnership with the United Filipino-Canadian Associations in British Columbia, (UFCABC), University of the Philippines Alumni Association – British Columbia(UPAABC), Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants – Vancouver (PICPA), and Filipino International Student Association (FilSA), will be holding a Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar for Filipino Migrants, International Students, Temporary Workers, and their spouses on 12 July 2025 at Executive Suites Hotel and Conference Centre, 4201 Lougheed Hwy., Burnaby, BC V5C 3Y6 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

June 16, 2025 – I wanted to know if the controversial BPI joint bank account of Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Sara Z. Duterte is still active because that account will play a crucial role in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

[Editor’s Note: This Commentary is from Dr. Pagtakhan’s column, Medisina at Politika, published also in Pilipino Express.]

June 1, 2025 – The glorious and solemn Latin liturgy of Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass on May 18 at St. Peter’s Square in front of the Basilica in the Vatican was attended by Kings, world leaders and dignitaries along with hundreds of thousands of the faithful from around the world.