Bathurst Filipiniana group reports on Philippine Independence Day celebration

Philippine National Day celebration in Bathurst

This year’s Philippine National Day Celebration and Flag Raising Ceremony was held last 6th June 2009 at Evans Bridge in Bathurst.

The very cold morning did not deter the organisers, the Bathurst Regional Council and the Filipiniana Friends Group of Bathurst and the Central West, and community members from coming.

The Philippine Flag was raised in Bathurst to celebrate the Proclamation of Philippine Independence 111 years ago. The 6 metres by 3 metres flag is reputedly the largest Philippine Flag in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a magnificent sight flying high on one of six massive flagpoles on the Great Western Highway at the entrance to the City.

The flag was provided by the Bathurst Lions club which has also collected the flags of many other countries, which are flown before and after their National days and proudly proclaim the City’s multicultural heritage for all to see.

The new Consul General accompanied by Rose Calderon and Staff of the Consulate were among the attendees. Also present were the President of the Philippine Community Council, Ronaldo Villaver and his wife, Rosa Taboada PCC-NSW Director, and Dr Alexis Leonis Auditor of PCC NSW and President of Philippine Language and Culture Association. The Mayor of Bathurst Paul Toole, and Secretary of Bathurst Lions Club Paul Haysom with members Kevin Kipp and Helen Mulligan were also present.

Nenita Lopez-Weekes, was the event coordinator/organiser. The program commenced with an assembly at Evans Bridge in Bathurst Lions Park.

Nenita Lopez-Weekes, the President of the Filipiniana Friends Group of Bathurst and the Central West, welcomed visitors and distinguished guests.

Nenita said that,

‘This event is indeed a very significant one in the history of the Philippines. It is our National Day where we celebrate the most important event in our struggle for freedom from our Spanish colonial masters. Independence Day means a great deal to Australians born in the Philippines, who gather together on this day to remember the sacrifice of our forefathers made to end the Spanish Colonial rule. Today is cause for a double celebration, as we also honour the Queen’s Birthday on this weekend. It is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the traditions of our adopted country and that of our country of origin.

We are proud of our heritage, but also very proud to be Australian citizens. We integrate well into Australian way of life. Our strong work ethic, respect for education and Christian values don’t make front page stories but do enable us to make an important contribution to Australian life, in business, the professions and many other walks of life, especially health and entertainment. We are also taking our first steps to achieve representation in Australian politics, which is a sign of our growing maturity and confidence. I cannot wait for the day when a Filipino is elected to the enlightened and progressive Bathurst Council. We are glad to take advantage of the opportunities this country has given to us and our children and are more than willing to pay our debts as good citizens.

So as a symbol of our declaration of independence and our gratitude to our adopted country we will raise our national flags and sing our National Anthems.

Thank you. Maraming salamat po at Mabuhay Tayong lahat.’

The Bathurst Mayor Councillor Paul Toole, responded by welcoming and congratulating the new Consul General on her new post and then complimented the Filipinos in the community for their cultural and social contributions. The new Consul General Mrs Eva G. Betita, who made the long trip from Sydney replied and reminded us of the importance of our culture and the occasion.

The flag was then raised by the Consul General and Bathurst Mayor and the Bathurst Lions Club members to join the Australian flag, which was already flying in honour of the Queen’s Birthday. The Australian and Philippines National Anthems were then sung beautifully by Rosalie Tanqiamco, and a Philippine National Day Prayer was offered by Bro Ron Hitchen from the Couples for Christ organisation.

The participants were then treated to lunch at the St Michael and John Cathedral Hall and entertained by traditional cultural dancers from Orange, co-ordinated by Elsa Harvey.

Consul General Betita emphasised the advantages of dual citizenship. She also indicated her support for the Read Philippines program, which has been established in Bathurst through the provision of books about Philippine literature, history and culture in the Bathurst public library which provide a resource for the youth of Philippine heritage to enrich their knowledge of their ancestry, and provides information for community members interested in intercultural understanding.

. 

Short URL: http://www.thefilipinoaustralian.com/news/?p=1003

Posted by Filipiniana Friends Group on Jun 28 2009. Filed under Associations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry