Kumusta, Ka-UPAAT?

Kaganapan!

Fall is here, mga ka-UPAAT!

It seemed like a short summer, but we hope that you had meaningful time spent with your family and friends as Ontario has moved to Stage 3 Reopening in this pandemic. We enjoin everyone to continue observing safety precautions with a potential 4th wave.

Still, UPAAT was able to hold outdoor socialization activities to make the most of the sunny weather and the opportunity for kamustahan. This was done by following public health guidelines. We were also able to hold lecture webinars and the council continues to develop programs to support and serve UPAAT members and extend our services to the larger Filipino community.

UNDERSTANDING OUR CULTURE THROUGH FOOD

Almost 60 participants learned the term "nayanaya" which means "to entertain and serve others; to be a happy person" from Food Historian Felice Prudente Sta. Maria during her lecture presentation on August 26. Titled "The Food in Identity: A Shortened Story of Philippine Branding," the webinar organized by the Education and Awareness Committee piqued the interest of Filipino and non-Filipino participants as Sta. Maria walked everyone through the evolution of Filipino food from pre-colonial to modern times.

We have been streaming our webinars live on YouTube, so subscribe to the UPAAT YouTube Channel now!

There is still time to register for those qualified as Overseas Voters:
- Filipino citizens, including dual citizens and permanent residents, caregivers, temporary foreign workers, international students - anyone with a valid Philippine passport
- At least 18 years old on or before May 9, 2022
- Not otherwise disqualified by law

Filipinos who are experiencing difficulties traveling to the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate due to the pandemic may avail of the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Office for Overseas Voting’s (OFOV) Virtual Frontline Services (VFS), a voter registration service that does not require the physical presence of the applicant.

The VFS, however, is dedicated only for transactions where the applicant has existing voter registration records with complete biometric data, such as:

- Certification as an overseas voter (for those who are registered voters in the Philippines and are now applying to vote abroad);
- Reactivation of Overseas Voter Registration Records (for those who failed to vote consecutively in the past two national elections);
- Updating of addresses and contact information; and
- Transfer of voting records between different international locations, and from overseas back to the Philippines.

Interested VFS applicants can fill up their application form (OVF-1) by using the i-Rehistro system on Comelec’s website and submit the scanned copy of their duly accomplished OVF-1 to Comelec-OFOV by sending an email to concerns@comelec.gov.ph or via its Facebook Messenger.

Read more about Virtual Frontline Services Registration here: VFS Registration
Read details on the regular registration process here: REGISTRATION PROCESS