By Christian Cunanan
Burnaby, BC – 12 July 2025
The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, in partnership with the Migrant Workers Office – Vancouver, successfully held the first-ever Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) to support newly arrived Temporary Foreign Workers and International Students from the Philippines. Unlike the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS), which focuses on general information about Canadian culture and traditions, PAOS provides practical, localized guidance to help newcomers settle and integrate more effectively into life in Canada.
Recognizing some information gap, Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin led the PAOS initiative to offer practical and localized guidance often missing in PDOS. The seminar covered key topics such as employment, immigration, banking, taxation, legal rights, settlement services, and mental health support to help newcomers adapt to life in Canada.
Distinguished guests and speakers included:
- Consul Analyn Ratonel, Emcee of the event
- Hon. Mable Elmore, MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives – Closing Remarks
- Hon. Sunita Dhir, MLA – Keynote Speaker
- Acting Mayor Daniel Tetrault, City of Burnaby – Welcome Remarks
- Vice Consul Marco Harder, Philippine Consulate General
- Labor Attaché Maya Valderama, Migrant Workers Office
- OWWA Attaché Allan Ignacio
- Mr. Darwin Soria, SAS Representative
- Mr. Stephen Andrada, UPAABC
- Mr. Mike Calingo, BMO Commercial Banking
- Mr. Bert Parungao, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)
- Atty. Melissa Briones, Northam Law
- Ms. Karen Joy Bation, KJB Law Firm
The seminar was made possible with the strong support of community organizations, including the United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC (UFCABC), University of the Philippines Alumni Associations of BC (UPAABC), PICPA Vancouver, Rotary Club of Vancouver Mountainview, and the Filipino International Students Association–UCW.
Participants also engaged with settlement and integration partners: FilNet–Little Mountain Neighbourhood House, MOSAIC, Parent Support Services of BC, Mabuhay House for mental health and counselling, and Northam Law for legal assistance.
MLA Mable Elmore recognized the significance of the event amid Canada’s shifting immigration landscape, commending the Philippine Consulate and Filipino organizations for their strong support of newcomers. She acknowledged the decades-long advocacy of community leaders, assuring participants of broader community support.
MLA Sunita Dhir highlighted the provincial government’s groundbreaking legislation including removing barriers in providing opportunities to internationally educated professionals and to expanding opportunities for skilled and foreign-trained individuals.
The event, attended both in person and online, marked a key step in empowering Filipino newcomers in B.C. and reaffirmed the community’s commitment to their successful integration.
ReyFort Media 
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