Voices and Perspectives of Filipino-Australian Children and Youth Highlighted at Children’s Week Celebration in Sydney

SYDNEY 10 January 2025 – During the Children’s Week celebration organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney in collaboration with Filipino-Australian community leader Ms. Jinky Trijo Marsh on 07 January 2025, a program highlighted the voices and perspectives of Filipino-Australian children and youth.

A total of 17 Filipino-Australian children and youth, together with Ms. Jinky Marsh, poet and another Filipino community leader Mr. Rado Gatchalian, and vocalist and vocal coach Ms. Tina Rañoso Bangel, performed Original Pilipino Music (OPM), traditional Filipino and non-Filipino motivational songs, delivered poems, shared inspirational speeches, presented their own art on Philippine national symbols such as the mango, narra tree, pearl and sampaguita, and conducted a book reading.

In her message, Philippine Consul General to Sydney Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil emphasized the role of the children and youth who bring hope and represent possibilities for our future, as well as the need for the government, private, and non-government sectors to work together to ensure the protection and promotion of the rights of the children and youth. She also encouraged the parents and children to continue taking an active role in the community and society.

In the Philippines, Proclamation No. 190, series of 1964 mandates the celebration of Children’s Week during the last week of January with the aim of developing the capabilities of the youth and inspiring greater concern for their welfare and proper moral and intellectual upbringing. END

For more information, visit https://www.sydneypcg.dfa.gov.ph/, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinSydney, or https://www.instagram.com/phlinsydney/.