05 November 2004 – The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa informed the Department of Foreign Affairs that Filipino-Canadian Alicia Natividad, a prominent lawyer and current chairperson of the Canada-Philippines  Business Council (CPBC), and the Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble of Montreal , Quebec, will receive the Banaag Award of the 2004 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas during the Awarding Ceremony  on 15 December 2004 at the Malacanang Palace.

A well-respected and much admired figure in the Filipino-Canadian community in Ottawa, Ms. Alicia Natividad has been bringing honor to the Philippines through excellence in the pursuit of her legal profession as well as her numerous contributions to the Philippines’ development efforts as head of the CPBC.    Atty. Natividad was also one of the three Filipino-Canadian recipients of the highly prestigious Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal last year.

The Panday Tinig Choral Ensemble, to be represented at the awards ceremony by pianist and co-founder Ms. Edith Fedalizo and some members, has been actively promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines through its wonderful rendition of Filipino music in its various performances around Canada and the US.   Not only does the group serve as Ambassadors of Goodwill, but it also lends its talents to raise funds for many charitable causes for the benefit of Filipinos in Canada and in the Philippines. END