A Canadian – Filipino Thanksgiving

IN APPRECIATION of the role of Canadian Missionaries in education and health in Mindanao, various events took place in Davao City organized by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Holy Cross of Davao College and Notre Dame University, Cotabato City.

On October 5 – 6, 2019, an exhibit of memorabilia, maps and photos about the history of the Religious Congregations and the Canadian Priests, Brothers and Sisters in establishing and supporting education and health institutions in Mindanao took place, organized by Holy Cross of Davao College and Notre Dame University Cotabato. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Canadian Chamber Governor Atty. Jesus Dureza, Leonilo Claudio – CanCham Chairman for Mindanao, Iris Melliza, - President of Holy Cross of Davao College. A book on the First Fifty Years -History of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in the Philippines (1959 – 2009) was launched and signed by author Antonio V. Figueroa at the exhibit area of the Holy Cross of Davao College.

In the evening, a traditional Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner was organized by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines held at the Holy Cross of Davao College Auditorium. Mr. Julian H. Payne, CanCham National President gave the Welcome Remarks. A Tribute for the OMI Missionaries in establishing education and health institutions in Mindanao was delivered by Fr. Francis Efren Zabala, PMI President Notre Dame University, Cotabato. A Tribute to the PME missionaries in establishing education and health institutions in Mindanao was given by Mr. Rey Sorongon.

Guest of Honor at the Dinner was Peter Marshall – Councilor, Canadian Embassy to the Philippines in Manila.

Those present at the Canadian Filipino Thanksgiving October 6 were: Director of Holy Cross of Davao College Armando Dura, VP for Admin HCDC Bro. Noelvic Deloria S.E., Sister Atsuko Sagura MIC, Sister Lourdes Serrano MIC, Sister Justina Villagracia MIC, Canadian Chamber Governor Atty. Jesus Dureza, Sister Ditma Luz Trocio MIC, President of Canadian Chamber Julian Payne, Canadian Chamber Admin for Mindanao Maria Rowena Gempesaw, President of HCDC Dr. Maria Iris Melliza, Chairman of Canadian Chamber Leonilo Claudio, Grace Talamillo of Notre Dame University, Lady Christine Matildo of Notre Dame University and Reynaldo Sorongon of the Canadian Chamber Organizing Committee

Closing activity for the celebration was a Eucharistic Celebration officiated by Archbishop Romulo Valles, Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Davao held at the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary Chapel.