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26 November 2025 — The Philippine Consulate General in Calgary (PCG Calgary) kicked off the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) with an “Orange the World: Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls” Advocacy Shirt campaign, forming part of the observance of the Philippine government’s 18-Day Campaign to End VAW and the United Nations UNiTE campaign, which call for urgent action to address gender-based violence in all its forms, including in digital spaces.
On 26 November 2025, Consul General Emma Sarne led the advocacy activity, joined by H. E. Amb. Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga from the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Ottawa, Labor Attaché Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama, Vice Consul Mary Jaselle Menteer, and Migrant Workers Office Administrative Staff Neil Justin Nicolas, as guests of PCG Calgary. It was the first time that the 18-Day Campaign Advocacy Shirt day was joined in by officials from Ottawa, Ontario, and Vancouver, British Columbia.
After the Advocacy Shirt activity, PCG Calgary has slated upcoming activities to raise awareness and boost engagement of the constituents in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Consul General Emma Sarne expressed, “The 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women is a call for unity and action from our community. By empowering Filipino women entrepreneurs and engaging allies from all sectors, we promote safer workplaces, challenge harmful norms, and ensure that help and hope are always within reach for those in need. The Consulate is committed to standing with every woman and girl, both online and offline, in building a future free from violence.”
On 22 November 2025, PCG Calgary also partnered with the United Filipino Entrepreneurs of Alberta (UFEA), Hampton Inn by Hilton, and Filipino community leaders to host an “Empowered Women Empowering One Another: Embracing Success Across Borders” seminar as an opening salvo for the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW. The activity highlighted how women entrepreneurs and community members can use their businesses, voices, and digital platforms to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, both offline and online.
Held at Hampton Inn by Hilton in Calgary, the seminar gathered UFEA members, PCG Calgary’s Gender and Development (GAD) Team, and family representatives, many of whom wore orange in solidarity with the global “Orange the World” movement.
Through a mini-outreach information table, the PCG Calgary GAD Team, with Ms. Cyril Vista and Mr. Douveylito Tangcay, took the opportunity to inform attendees about consular, labor, welfare, and social protection services available to overseas Filipinos in Alberta and Saskatchewan, including assistance to nationals, Migrant Workers Office–OWWA programs, and Social Security System services in Calgary, which can help survivors rebuild their lives and financial independence. PCG Calgary reiterated that Filipinos in distress can reach out to the Consulate and partner agencies for information, referrals, and coordinated assistance, and encouraged the community to share verified information from the PCG website and official channels to combat misinformation that may place women and children at further risk.
Consul Vida Soraya Verzosa, GAD Focal Person of PCG Calgary, led a learning session on the nature and impact of gender-based violence, underscoring that abuse can be physical, sexual, psychological, or economic and may occur both in-person and online. She discussed Philippine laws such as Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act) and Republic Act No. 11313 (Safe Spaces Act or “Bawal Bastos Law”), as well as Alberta resources like the Family Violence Information Line (310-1818) and emergency services, to show participants that help is available in both the Philippines and Canada.
PCG Calgary also encouraged the involvement of men and boys as “Male Champions for Change,” highlighting that most men do not tolerate violence and can model respectful, non-violent masculinity at home, at work, and online. Participants were invited to engage husbands, partners, colleagues, and sons in conversations on consent, digital safety, and shared responsibility for ending VAW, in line with Alberta’s emphasis on engaging men and boys in violence-prevention campaigns.
Other speakers at the event include the following: Peachie Luzung – General Manager, Hampton Inn Calgary Airport North; Trixie Pacis – an award-winning Filipina adventure filmmaker in a male-dominated industry, Niña Mabugat – Psychotherapist and mental health expert on stress, burnout, and resilience, Jewelyn Agcaoili – an inspirational speaker; Kaye Intal – Strategist & Tech Leader, IC Strategies & TalentHub; Jerilynn Cindee Martinez – Product Advisor, Country Hills Toyota/Digital Creator; Virginia Quintin – Tax Consultant, Kaizen Tax Services, on helping small and immigrant-owned businesses stay protected; Marichu Antonio – NGO Advisor and Calgary’s Citizen of the Year 2021; and Len Zuniga – Certified Life & Workplace Coach, UFEA Board. END
PR-18-2025
