PH Consulate in Sydney Celebrates 126 Years of PH Independence with National Day Reception
SYDNEY 26 June 2024 – The Philippine Consulate in Sydney, led by Consul General Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil, celebrated the 126th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a National Day Reception held on 14 June 2024 at the New South Wales (NSW) State Library.
Over 100 guests from the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament, Sydney local government, Members of the Consular Corps in NSW, leaders and members of the Filipino community, officers of the Australia Philippines Business Council, business sector representatives, travel agency partners of the Philippine Department of Tourism, the academe, and media representatives attended the reception.
The NSW parliament members who joined are the Assistant President and Member of the NSW Legislative Council Honorable Peter Primrose and State Member for Blacktown and Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Public Spaces Mr. Stephen Bali MP. Filipino-Australian Councillors Carol Israel and Jess Diaz, and Ku-ring-gai Councillor Barbara Ward were also in attendance.
In her message, Consul General Aviquivil highlighted the vibrant and robust ties between the Philippines and Australia in view of shared ideals, values, and interests; extensive range of cooperation on defense and security, trade and investment, and people-to-people linkages; and presence of over 408,000 Filipino-Australians and of Filipino ethnicity, the fifth largest migrant community in Australia, who play invaluable roles in different sectors and industries and are valued in every community they belong to. She also urged the Filipino-Australian community in supporting the goal of a Bagong Pilipinas, while upholding Filipino heritage and culture for the next generations of Filipinos.
On the other hand, Honorable Peter Primrose MLC acknowledged in his remarks the presence of over 100,000 Filipino-Australians in NSW and their active involvement in community services and growing contribution in the business community, particularly in healthcare and entrepreneurship. He underscored the dynamic relationship and shared values between Australia and the Philippines, and the history of friendship and trust, and shared a multicultural future.
Attendees and guests were serenaded by Mr. Marcus Rivera who sang a medley of Filipino songs and Ms. Fasika Ayallew who sang “Isang Lahi.” They also performed a duet of the Filipino song “Ikaw.”
An exhibit of 14 pieces of paintings by Mr. Dennis Gonzalez was also on display during the reception, which feature Philippine dances, games, traditions, and values. END
For more information, visit https://www.sydneypcg.dfa.gov.ph/, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinSydney, or https://www.instagram.com/phlinsydney/.