A festive celebration of Philippine Independence Day at Bathurst
After the flag raising ceremony. L-R: Rogelia, Mitchell, Vilma, Consul General Anne J. Louis, Rosalie, Alice, Anne, Nelly and Ciel
Ed’s Notes: The following is an email report from the Filipiniana Friends Group of Bathurst and the Central West.
Bathurst last Saturday June 4 was one of the first to celebrate in Australia this year’s anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence.
The Filipiniana Friends Group of Bathurst and the Central West organized the commemorative activities in cooperation with the Bathurst Regional Council and the Bathurst Lions Club, with the support of the Philippine Community Council of NSW and the Philippine Consulate General of Sydney.
Having a good time at the Evans Bridge. L-R: Linda, Josephine, Alice, Menchie, Mayet, Nancy and Agnes
The highlight of the day’s events was the raising of the Australian and Philippine flags at Berry Park near the Evans Bridge by Bathurst Lions Club and the singing of the National Anthems of both countries.
Bathurst Mayor and Member of Parliament Paul Toole (also a long-time supporter of the Filipino community), Philippines Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis, and Filipiniana Friends Group of Bathurst and Central West president Nenita Weekes delivered their Philippine Independence messages.
Some members of the Bathurst Lions Club present during the Flag Raising ceremony Evans Bridge with Chris Portacio and Nelly Tipace
The messages emphasized loyalty towards Filipino traditions and to Australia, where Filipinos are praised for being model immigrants, law abiding and hard working.
A short prayer was delivered on the importance of freedom and for hopes to end political, social and natural calamities in the Philippines.
Always there for us: Bathurst Mayor and MP Paul Toole and children Rhayne, Keely and Scout. Back: Rey and son
The flag raising was followed by a traditional Filipino feast at the St Michael and John Parish Hall with entertainment by the traditional dance revolution, and by Mr Toole’s children who with the confidence and charm of their father performed dance and poetry routines before an appreciative audience.
About a hundred people from near and far came to join the celebration.
A strong local contingent was joined by guests who braved difficult journeys and harsh weather including those from Young, Grenfell, the Blue Mountains, Orange, Lithgow, Sydney, Portland, Springhill and the Central Coast.
Guests included Ben and Anne Delizo and sons, Alice and Doug, De Guzman sisters, Jim Thomas, Delia and Family, Rey and family, Wilma G and family Charlene and Ken, the members of the PCC NSW Board headed by Marivic Manalo and Atoy Sayas, the IPP and Secretary of Banag Banag Association, Mitchell Badeles and Vilma Samson, Mayet and Nancy, Dee Chee and Lyn.
At the Michael & St John Parish Hall for the 113th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence with guests from as far as Sydney and the Blue Mountains
The day would not have been a great success without the help of the Vice President of the Filipiniana Friends, Neng Williams, the PRO Rebecca Collins, Grace Gilmore, Susan Hopkins, Agnes, Marissa, Vilma, Jovielyn, Carmelita, Belleza & Jay, Ciel, Rosalie and Claire. Our thanks also to Chris and Nelly for the production of the AV presentation.
Our thanks of course to Bathurst Lions Club for providing us this huge flag which they also helped raise last Saturday’s event.
The event is an annual affair in Bathurst, now running for the last seven years. Bathurst’s Philippine Independence and Flag raising will be held at the same time next year.
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It is nice to see all the Filipino-Australian celebrate their Filipino cultural heritage in all the states of our dearly beloved second home Australia.