GOVPH

16 October 2013 – Philippine Ambassador to Australia Belen F. Anota and Consul General in Sydney Anne Jalando-on Louis were joined by Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, New South Wales (NSW) Premier Barry O’Farrell and several federal and state Parliament Members (MPs) and Councillors at the opening of the Sydney Fiesta Kultura 2013 which was held at the Fairfied Showground in Prairiewood, NSW on October 07.

 The event was organized by the Philippine Australian Sports and Culture Inc. (PASC) led by its President, Mr. Manny Castillo. The theme for this year’s fiesta is “Nurturing Our Bayanihan Spirit”.

Representing Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells conveyed the Prime Minister’s warm wishes to the organizers and participants in the Fiesta Kultura and referred to the event as a manifestation of the close and long-standing friendship between the Philippines and Australia.

In his message at the event, Premier O’Farrell paid tribute to the Filipino community in NSW for continuing to uphold strong family ties and for promoting Filipino culture especially among the younger generation. He also noted that in the course of the celebration, the organizers are able to help others in need.

In her speech, Ambassador Anota congratulated the PASC for 25 years of showcasing Filipino culture in Sydney, drawing Filipino families back to their roots and inviting the wider Australian community to get acquainted with the Philippines. She also lauded the PASC for helping communities in the Philippines.

Other Australian officials who attended the ceremony included Federal Members of Parliament Fiona Scott (Member for Lindsay), Laurie Ferguson (Member for Werriwa), NSW State Member of Parliament Andrew Rohan (Smithfield), and Blacktown City Councillor Stephen Bali.

According to Mr. Castillo, PASC was born 25 years ago out of a need to organize sports and cultural events for the Filipino community in Sydney. These events were also aimed at raising funds to be used to help those in need in the Philippines and in New South Wales. Among the projects of PASC are assistance to victims of natural disasters, scholarship programs for deserving students and donations of dental equipment to Philippine institutions and local government units.

The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney conducted mobile consular services at the Fiesta Kultura 2013, extending services such as renewal of passports and accepting applications for notarials, civil registry and dual citizenship. Consulate staff members also responded to queries about consular and Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) matters.

There were more than 2,000 participants, volunteers and exhibitors in the Fiesta Kultura 2013. An estimated 30,000 visitors turned up during the one-day event to view the exhibition of Philippine products, to witness cultural performances, and to savor Filipino food. The event also featured a Media Centre manned by Filipino community media practitioners – radio announcers, print and web writers. A Crafts Corner was also set up where people of all ages were taught how to make kites, lanterns, and the “sipa.” The event was capped by the Miss Philippines Australia and Charity Queen Beauty Pageant in the evening. Ms. Melanie Balagtas, who won both titles, will travel to Manila to turn over donations to an orphanage and to award scholarships to an educational institution. END