PCTC, RCVM and PICPA hold a luncheon to welcome PH Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin

Philippine Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin delivering her remarks. [Photos by Georgia Esporlas of PCTC]

31 JANUARY 2025, VANCOUVER. The Philippine Canada Trade Council (PCTC), the Rotary Club of Vancouver-Mountainview (RCVM), and the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants in BC (PICPA) jointly hosted a welcome luncheon in honor of Philippine Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin at the Vancouver Club last 31 January 2025.

Key officials from the sponsoring organizations — Dr. Neil Mort of PCTC, Mr. Antonio Matias of PICPA, Mr. Ernesto Ong of RCVM – delivered their remarks welcoming the undersigned. The luncheon was also attended by several government officials, namely: Member of Parliament (MP) and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage Taleeb Noormohamed; Minister George Chow; Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Deputy Speaker Mable Elmore, and Vancouver Deputy Mayor and City Councillor Peter Meizner.

In her remarks, Consul General Jamoralin emphasized the strong ties that bind Philippines and Canada, citing milestones in the two countries’ shared history of 75 years, such as the arrival and settlement in Vancouver of Benson Flores, the first documented Filipino immigrant to Canada; the history of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver as the first diplomatic establishment of the Philippines in Canada; and the economic relationship between the Philippines and Canada that has grown strong over the decades.

She also highlighted exciting developments in Philippines-Canada trade and commercial relations, such as exploratory talks in December 2024 regarding a possible PH-CA free trade agreement, the continuing expansion of Filipino companies in Canada and vice versa, and the much-awaited launch of a non-stop route from Vancouver to Manila in April 2025 by Air Canada.

Top, L-R: Dr. Neil Mort (PCTC); Mr. Eric Ching (PCTC); Mr. Antonio Matias (PICPA).

Bottom, L-R: Mr. Mr. Ernesto Ong (RCVM); Vancouver Deputy Mayor and City Councillor Peter Meizner; and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mable Elmore. [Photos by PCG Vancouver]

Philippine Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin delivering her remarks. [Photos by Georgia Esporlas of PCTC]

Expanding on the Philippines’ economic and trade developments, Consul General Jamoralin also cited the Marcos administration’s thrust to make the Philippines a regional hub for globally competitive, innovative and sustainability-driven industries, with emphasis on priority sectors such as infrastructure, energy, semiconductors and electronics, mining and mineral processing, agricultural technology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, steel, and tourism.

As part of its mandate to contribute to Philippine’s economic security, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver engages businesses, trade councils, and professional organizations to promote the Philippines as a prime destination for businesses and investments. END

L-R: Vice Consul Marco Harder, PICPA President Antonio Matias, Mr. Ernesto Ong of RCVM, Consul Analyn Ratonel, Minister Geroge Chow, MLA and BC Deputy Speaker Mable Elmore, Consul General Gina Jamoralin, MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage Taleeb Noormohamed, Mr. Armor Corrales, MLA and BC Deputy Speaker Mable Elmore Vancouver Deputy Mayor and City Councillor Peter Meizner, and Dr. Neil Mort of PCTC during the welcome luncheon. [Photo by Georgia Esporlas of PCTC]

Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin poses with Dr. Rosalin Miles (2L), MLA and BC Deputy Speaker Mable Elmore, and officials of PCTC. [Photo by Georgia Esporlas of PCTC]

Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin poses for a group photo with organizers and attendees of the event. [Photo by Vancouver PCG]