01 July 2016 - Filipinos in New South Wales (NSW) commemorated the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence as well as the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Philippines-Australia Diplomatic Relations, by holding more than 17 activities throughout June 2016. These activities included Independence Day Balls, a golf tournament, a Filipino fiesta and flag-raising ceremonies and cultural programs organized by Filipino community organizations in cooperation with local city councils.
The Filipinos in NSW, estimated at almost 94,000, have been actively celebrating Philippine Independence Day each year, raising awareness of Philippine heritage, culture and history within the state’s diverse and multicultural society.
On June 04, a flag-raising ceremony and a cultural program were held in Bathurst, 203 kilometers west of Sydney, co-organized by the Bathurst Regional Council and the Filipiniana Friends Bathurst and Central West, led by its President, Ms. Nenita Weekes. Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis attended the event, together with Bathurst City Mayor Gary Rush, NSW Minister for Local Government Paul Toole, Fr. Owen Gibbons and guests, including representatives from the Bathurst Lions Club.
In the morning of June 11, a flag ceremony and program were organized by the Australian-Philippine Services League (APSL), headed by Mr. Chris Pilao, at the Blacktown City Council Village Green in Blacktown City. The event was attended by Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali, Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland, and Blacktown City Councillors Jacqueline Donaldson and Russ Dickens. At the event, Consul General Louis turned over, through Mayor Bali, 52 Filipino books and DVDs for the Blacktown City Library.
On June 11, a Philippine National Day Ball was held at the Rosehill Gardens in Rosehill, NSW, organized by the Filipino community umbrella organization, Philippine Community Council of New South Wales (PCC-NSW), in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney. The event was attended by around 400 guests, including Australian federal and state officials, representatives from the private sector and the Filipino community in NSW. The program included a performance by the Bayanihan, the National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines.
On June 13, the Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations (APCO) led by Ms. Pet Storey held its “Pista sa Nayon: Alay sa Kalayaan” festival at the Berala Community Centre in Sydney’s western suburb of Berala. Consul General Louis attended the event. The Australian officials present included NSW Member for Epping Damien Tudehope, State Opposition Leader and Member for Auburn Luke Foley, Executive Administrator of the Cumberland LGA Viv May, and Ethnic Communities Council NSW Chairman Peter Doukas. The whole day event featured a parade, a Philippine craft exhibit, essay-writing contest, traditional games, Filipino food and cultural performances.
On June 17, a flag-raising ceremony and program were led by Consul General Louis and Mr. Ian Reynolds, Administrator of the Central Coast Council, in Gosford City, NSW, 76 kilometres from Sydney. The event was co-organised by the Central Coast Council and the Filipino community in Gosford led by Ms. Marivic King.
The following day, on June 18, Consul General Louis and Ms. Amanda Chadwick, Administrator for the City of Parramatta, led the flag ceremony and cultural program held at the Parramatta Town Hall. The ceremony was co-organized by the City of Parramatta Administrator’s Office with the Banag-Banag Inc. led by its President, Ms. Marissa Bala. Also present at the event were Federal Member for Parramatta Julie Owens, Member of the NSW Legislative Council David Clarke, Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC) President Edward Alcordo, PCC-NSW President Kate Andres, and other Filipino community leaders.
Later that day, Consul General Louis graced the flag ceremony at the Campbelltown City Council with Campbelltown City Mayor Paul Hawker, State Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren, State Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivoung, and Campbelltown City Councillor Fred Borg. The event was co-organized by the Campbelltown City Council and the Campbelltown and Region Filipino Community Council (CRFCC) led by its President, Ms. Lourdes Kaiser.
On the evening of the same day, Consul General Louis proceeded to Wollongong, 87 kilometers from Sydney CBD, to attend the Philippine Independence Day Annual June Ball at the Warilla Bowls & Recreation Club in Barrack Heights in Wollongong, organized by the Australian Philippine Association, Inc. (APAI, Inc.) led by its President, Ms. Sevilla Swadling. Consul General Louis was joined at the event by Federal Member for Throsby Stephen James and State Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson.
On the same day, June 18, 2014, Consul Marford Angeles joined the Filipino Independence Day Committee led by Ms. Marina O’Donnell in a flag-raising ceremony and cultural program in Wagga Wagga, 456 kilometres away from Sydney. The event was attended by Wagga Wagga City Mayor Rod Kendall, State Member for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire, and over 100 members of the Filipino-Australian community. WIN TV, a local television station, covered the event.
The month-long celebration was capped by three activities on June 25 beginning with a Flag Raising Ceremony and program at the Penrith City Hall co-organised by the Penrith City Council with the Philippine Language and Cultural Association (PLCAA) led by its President, Mr. Danny Rosales. Consul General Louis, Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown, State Member for Londonderry Pru Car and Penrith City Deputy Mayor Jackie Greenow graced the event.
Later that day, Consul General Louis proceeded to Newcastle, 161 kilometers away from Sydney CBD, to attend the celebration of the Filipino-Australian Society of the Hunter Valley Inc (FASHVI), which commemorated the 118th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, the 155th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. Jose Rizal, and the 35th anniversary of FASHVI, led by its President, Ms. Rebecca MacDonald. The celebration was attended by Lake Macquarie City Council Deputy Mayor Laurie Coghlan and Federal Member for Charlton Pat Conroy.
Consul General Louis likewise attended in Newcastle the Philippine Independence Day program of the Filipino Community of the Hunter Valley Region Inc. (FILCOHRI), led by its President, Mr. Arnulfo Escalante.
During the above events, Consul General Louis discussed the theme for this year’s commemoration of the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, “Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong,” and emphasized that if the Filipino people, back home and abroad, are united in contributing towards building the nation, prosperity and progress will follow. She also spoke of the long-standing relations between the Philippines and Australia as evidenced by the celebration this year of the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Philippines-Australia Diplomatic Relations.
Consul General Louis also thanked the city councils and the Australian officials for their continued support for the Filipino community. She commended the efforts of the members of the organising committees involved in the activities for their hard work and commitment in ensuring that the anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence is celebrated in a meaningful way each year. END
