Aquino plants tree next to Cory’s red maple

Started in 1906

Beginning in 1906, members of the royal family, heads of states and dignitaries have been asked to plant trees on the grounds of the Governor General’s official residence to mark their visit.

During the state dinner for Mr. Aquino and his delegation of Cabinet officials at the Rideau Hall, Johnston referred anew to the tree planting, and said he was confident that the tree planted by President Aquino would be as tall, strong and resilient as that planted by his mother, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. recounted.

“In levity, the Governor General suggested that President Aquino could come back 25 years hence and witness how big the tree he planted today had grown. (The official also) repeated what Nelson Henderson (a Canadian second generation farmer and pioneer) once said, ‘The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit,’” Coloma said.

Robust relations

In his response to Johnston’s welcome remarks, Mr. Aquino said the Philippines was looking forward to strengthening its “already robust relations” with Canada.

Johnston readily acknowledged this, and said that dialogue between the two countries would be “vital to the strength” of their relationship.

“In our modern age, we must be able to communicate,” the Canadian official said. “We know this today, just as those who forged our initial links knew that we would find more success when we work together,” he added.

In his message, Mr. Aquino said Canada was close to the heart of the Philippines given that there are more than half a million Filipinos working here.

Ottawa is home to about a million people, including at least 10,000 Filipinos.

But the main goal of his visit, President Aquino said, was to personally thank Canada for sending not only aid but the Canadian Royal Force to help rebuild areas devastated by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) in November 2013.

He also thanked Canada for choosing the Philippines as a country of focus and designating it as a priority emerging market.

As a country of focus, the Philippines is among a handful of countries that would be given priority for development funds.

Canada, Johnston responded, would be pleased to support the Philippines’ long-term commitments in areas of security, disaster management, development and humanitarian aid.