Madrigal Singers pay tribute to PHL-Canada friendship

The world-famous Philippine Madrigal Singers (MADZ) held a benefit concert on July 11 in Ottawa on July 11 as a tribute to Philippine-Canada friendship and Philippine Independence Day. In a news release, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the MADZ also performed at other Embassy-organized events capping the 113th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence on July 10 and 11. On July 10, the MADZ was the featured choir at the Notre Dame Cathedral Mass attended by a largely Canadian congregation and foreign tourists. On July 11, the MADZ held a benefit concert at the St. Joseph's Church. Covered by CTV News, the group performed sacred music, Philippine choral works, opera and Broadway songs, international pieces, among others. The proceeds of the concert would feed some 140 people daily for about a couple of months at St. Joe's Supper Table. Also on July 11, the MADZ held a mini-concert during a reception hosted by Chargé d' Affaires (CDA) Minerva Jean Falcon. In her welcome remarks, Falcon recalled the month-long festivities marking Philippine Independence Day and "Rizal@150," or the 150th birth anniversary of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Falcon recognized Canada as an important bilateral partner and cited the half a million-strong Filipino community in Canada as the lynchpin of Philippines-Canada friendship. She also cited agreements on human resources development with the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. - VVP, GMA News