Through the generous funding of the City of Markham's "Celebrate Markham" grant program, the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians held their 118th Philippine Independence Day celebration with a flag raising ceremony, greetings from dignitaries from different levels of government, picnic and entertainment provided by the MFFC Performing Arts Youth Group and the MFFC Seniors.
The raising of the Philippine Flag which will be displayed at the Civic Centre grounds for one whole week, as in past years. Present were Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Michael Chan, Markham Councillor Alex Chiu, Philippine Consul General Rosalita Prospero, York Region Catholic School Board Vice-Chairperson Marlene Mogado, MFFC Co-chairperson Yolly Ladinez and other dignitaries.
MFFC Seniors wearing 2016 Independence Day T-shirt.
At yesterday's celebration of the 118th Philippines Independence, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti announced the passing of a plan to designate an area of the Box Grove Community Park in Markham to be called The Rizal Square. On it will be unveiled a 7-foot statue of the Philippine National Hero, Jose P. Rizal, in 2017. Markham resident, sculptor and founding member, Mogi Mogado, has been commissioned to create the statue. The designated spot is directly led to from the already-existing Rizal Avenue street.