The whole day-event started at 9 a.m. and ended at 4:00 p.m., with the opening ceremony held at 10:00 a.m., in the presence of Philippine Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Rodolfo Dia Robles, and other special guests, which included Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mable Elmore, MLA and Minister of Education and Skills Training, Ms. Anne Kang, MLA and Minister of State for Trade George Chow, Member of Parliament (MP) Taleeb Noormohamed, MP and Minister of Fisheries Joyce Murray, MP Don Davis, Consul General of Indonesia, Mr. Hendra Halim, Consul of Economic Affairs Yaxal Canales López (Consulate General of Mexico) and Fr. Robert Masternak, Pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish. A highlight of the opening program was the special performance by Vancouver-based Filipino pop and jazz singer, Ms. Joey Albert, and the presentation of a Philippine capiz parol to Fr. Masternak.