Fil-Canadians now have a voice in Parliament

I, and the organization I represent, the Pamana Cultural Association, wish to thank Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for appointing Tobias C. Enverga Jr. to the Senate of Canada. Pamana is a volunteer organization that helps promote the works of young artists in all fields of endeavor and fine Filipino culture and tradition.

Enverga’s appointment is a historic milestone for the Filipino-Canadian community and a great opportunity for Filipino-Canadians to add their voice to nation-building efforts in their adopted homeland.

Prime Minister Harper has not only given Filipino-Canadians a voice in Parliament Hill, he has brought honor to all Filipino-Canadians. We commend him for this gesture.

Senator Enverga is a very hard-working community leader who truly cares about the community he lives in. Despite the demands of a full-time job and looking after a still relatively young brood, he has used much of his spare time to support various community charities and foundations, including Ancop Canada (ANswering the Cry Of the Poor) and Gawad Kalinga (the equivalent of Habitat for Humanity).

His spouse, Rosemer, is equally active in the community and a leader in her own right. She is a tireless volunteer who organizes or helps organize many cultural events that hold the community together.

Enverga is a humanitarian who is endowed with deep traditional Christian and family values and is truly deserving of the appointment.

I am 65 years old and a long-time resident in the Metro Toronto area and, being active in community affairs myself, I have witnessed the way the Envergas have conducted themselves in the community. I can vouch for their good character and good works and I can honestly say that Prime Minister Harper has made the right choice and that he will never come to regret his decision.

Again, I thank Prime Minister Harper and I wish him all the best for the future.

—OSWALD P. MAGNO,

president,

Pamana Cultural Association,

[email protected]