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Fil-Canadians pay tribute to ex-Migrant Workers chief Susan 'Toots' Ople

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Christine Santos | TFC News Toronto

<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dXM3LF7tYUc?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><p>Filipino-Canadians recently gathered at the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto to pay tribute to the late Migrant Workers secretary Susan &quot;Toots&quot; Ople.</p><p>The erstwhile DMW chief died on Aug. 22 at the age of 61, after her years-long fight with cancer.</p><div><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiGiMO4rceBAxXtcPUHHUZ6DNgQFnoECCcQAQ" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/28/23/big-loss-to-ph-palace-pays-tribute-to-susan-ople" jsaction="rcuQ6b:npT2md" jscontroller="M9mgyc" jsname="UWckNb" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/28/23/big-loss-to-ph-palace-pays-tribute-to-susan-ople&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiGiMO4rceBAxXtcPUHHUZ6DNgQFnoECCcQAQ">&#x27;Big loss to PH&#x27;: Palace pays tribute to Susan Ople</a></div><p>Group representatives shared the impact that Ople made during her time.</p><p>&quot;It’s important for a government official to listen to the sentiment of the public and this was one of the qualities of Secretary Toots until the day she died,&quot; said Luisito Queano of Malaya Canada</p><p>Wilma Delo, meanwhile, said Ople &quot;fought for what migrant workers are fighting for.&quot;</p><p>Philippine Consul General Angelica Escalona recalled the close interaction she had with Ople.</p><p>She expressed hopes that Ople&#x27;s successor will continue to show genuine care for overseas filipino workers.</p><p>&quot;I was very impressed with how down to earth, simple, and caring Secretary Toots was,&quot; said Escalona. &quot;It’s really a great loss for the Philippines.&quot;</p><p>Inspired by Ople&#x27;s dedicated service, the group leaders formed the Filipino Migrants Advocacy Council of Canada, which seeks to strengthen their advocacy for Filipino migrants.</p><p>&quot;The work is far-reaching and wide and it cannot be accomplished by just a few popular organizations,&quot; said Terry Olayta of the First Ontario Alliance of Caregivers - Canada. </p><p>Olayta added: &quot;The Filipino was born with a big heart so he can make a difference. I think that is what we want to celebrate as we express our thanks to Ms. Susan Ople.&quot;</p><p>Members of the newly formed group are confident that they will be able to help address the concerns of Filipino migrants in Toronto and in the rest of Canada.</p>

Community leaders in Toronto form a new group in honor of the late Migrant Workers secretary. 