Iglesia Ni Cristo youth in Australia are joining forces with their counterparts in other countries to put smiles on the faces of senior citizens through “Share the Gift of Music”, an initiative of the INCGiving Project launched this month across the globe.

The new initiative follows the recent INCGiving Project’s Neighbourhood Appreciation Day where the inaugural event in Australia was staged at the INC’s chapel grounds in Minchinbury, New South Wales.

Performers from the young to the “young at heart” will visit selected sites in their localities and entertain the residents and staff of assisted living and skilled nursing homes with music.

“Through INCGiving initiatives such as this one, we hope to help in making local communities a happier place for all its residents, especially, the elderly,” said Ranniel Serreno, INC district minister of Australia-Oceania.

More than 20 INC congregations and regional extensions in Australia are scheduled to “share the gift of music” in their respective localities.

In Metro Sydney, INC youth will visit five sites this weekend and two a fortnight after.

This weekend’s visits are being staged coincidentally with the kick off of NSW Grandparents Day.

The New South Wales government announced last month that this Sunday October 30 and every last Sunday of October will be designated as NSW Grandparents Day to recognise the ‘invaluable role’ of grandparents in families.

The sites to be visited by INC youth in Metro Sydney are Doonside Aged Care Centre (October 29), Huntingdon Gardens in Bexley (October 29), Governor Phillip Nursing Home in Penrith (October 29), Croydon Park RSL Club (October 30), Forestview Nursing Home in Chatswood (October 30), Manchester Unity in North Parramatta (November 12), and Gladstone House in Burwood (November 13).

The Filipino Australian has also gathered that the visit of INC youth to grandparents in Croydon Park is part of the program of NSW Grandparents Day’s first ambassador Ms Barbara Holborow.

In an interview, Ms Holborow said that Croydon Park is her natural choice as she has lived in the area since her childhood days, adding that she wanted to make the grandparents and elderly in the area know that they are remembered.

Ms Holborow is a recipient of a Medal of the Order of Australia and is previously a Children’s Court Magistrate for many years. She gave up her career on the Bench to devote her life to helping children and assisting those who care for them.

Ms Holborow said that she is looking forward to an enjoyable afternoon this Sunday with the grandparents and their grandchildren, and to listening to the INC youth music.

Kate Andres as Dona Teodora and Gerard Louis as young Jose

Proudly supported by the Philippine Consulate and the Philippine Community Council of NSW, four performances (matinee at 4pm and evening at 8pm) shall be staged on November 17-18 at Parramatta Town Hall, Church Street, Parramatta.

Show tickets cost $45 each and part proceeds are earmarked for improvement of the Rizal Park in Campbelltown.

As seats are limited, early bookings are encouraged by calling mob 0402 254 853 and 0466 156 639.

The play is directed by Armando Reyes.

As of press time, RJ Rosales who performed the role of “Jose Rizal” last year has not confirmed his availability due to previous commitments overseas.

Director Reyes advised a new JR is on standby in the vent RJ cannot perform.

Doing a repeat performance of the female lead role as “Dona Teodora” is Kate Roc Andres.

Also performing the lead role are Isabel Delgado and Nilda Carpo.

New talents have joined the ensemble, among them are Rupert Demonteverde as “Father Lopez”, Rie Manaloto as “Paciano”, Marianne Cuasay as “Soledad”, Rochelle Mantua as “Choleng” and Gerard Louis (10 year-old son of Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis) as young “Jose”.

Tom Baena will be “Rizal” narrating behind bars.

“A full list of the cast members shall be released in two weeks’ time,” Director Reyes said.

Members of ASCON’s ' Flavours of Auburn' steering committee discuss preparations for this annual event.: L to R: Fatma Mohamad of the Somali Women’s Association; Dr Cen Amores of the Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations; Bala Balendra of the Tamil Society; Jay and Srini of the Sri Om Foundation and Adama Kamara, Community Development Worker of Auburn City Council. Not in photo: Photographer Ruben Amores of Kapit-bahayan Co-operative Ltd.

Filipino food will again be among the various ethnic and traditional food from the many cultural communities to be presented for tasting at the yearly ‘Flavours of Auburn’ food festival that is part of the month-long Sydney International Food Festival in October.

The Flavours of Auburn will be held at the Auburn Town Hall, 1 Susan Street, Auburn on Saturday, 29 October from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

In the recent Steering Committee meeting for the ‘Flavours of Auburn’ organised by the Auburn Small Community Organisation Network held at the Auburn Centre for Community, Alliance of Philippine Communtiy Organisations and Kapit-bahayan Cooperative Ltd both representing the Filipino-Australian community in ASCON are in charge of the Cultural Program.

Dr Cen Amores, APCO president will emcee the program and the Mindanao Ethnic Dance Group, the alliance’s cultural arm, will present two authentic Filipino folk dances, Subli and Binoyugan. Filipino Australian singer and dancer extraordinaire Brian Lorenz Babon will participate as a guest performer.

ASCON is a network of about 20 small and emerging community organisations operating within the Auburn LGA. It was established in September 2007 with the aim of providing a vehicle for member organisations’ growth, development and a sense of belonging. It also acts as a forum for peer support for community leaders and volunteers to provide services to their respective communities. Ruben Amores of Kapit-bahayan Coop was the founding chair.

The ‘Flavours of Auburn’ is an initiative of ASCON held annually as a part of the Sydney Food Festival. It showcases authentic cuisines from various countries that are not always available in commercial eateries and restaurants. It also features a variety of cultural presentations meant to entertain the guests while they are sampling unique dishes. This project of ASCON highlights how collaboration among voluntary organisations can
contribute to a socially cohesive and harmonious multicultural community.

Sent by: Richard J Ford JP APCO PRO

INC District Minister for Australia-Oceania Emmanuel Era officially opening Appreciation Day to welcome residents of Minchinbury and other suburbs // Photo: TFA

What better way to start Spring than to demonstrate the spirit of GIVING!

Last weekend, September 3, the members of Iglesia Ni Cristo’s Minchinbury congregation celebrated the warm day by throwing away a Neighbourhood Appreciation Day.

Present were INC District Minister Emmanuel Era, who did the ribbon-cutting ceremony signalling the start of the open day festivities, and church officers and members who welcomed residents in Minchinbury and neighbouring suburbs.

The fast-growing Christian organisation thanked the local residents for their continuous support and hospitality by providing amazing FREE treats including Kids games, rides and crafts centre while the adults availed FREE services including health screenings and Wellness Education from licensed medical professionals, photo souvenir from the busy Photo Booth, and surprise gifts from Dad’s Corner.

We also couldn’t resist indulging in the Beauty & Nail Bar, Hair Bar, Massage Bar plus the FREE food, drinks and live entertainment.

As I know very little about the church, what I enjoyed the most was the chapel tour where we learned that this growing organisation that was started in 1914 by Brother Felix Y. Manalo in the Philippines is now present in over 90 countries and territories.

The church group has also been in Western Sydney for the last 24 years with over 700 active members promoting equality and brotherhood. Initially, the members used rented community halls for their worship services until August 1996 when they moved to the Minchinbury church building.

Apparently, last Saturday’s Neighbourhood Appreciation Day is the very first INC event of its kind staged in Australia.
It is part of the INC philanthropic program, launched in the United States last April, to help families and communities during challenging economic times by leveraging on the skills and expertise of Church members in implementing positive solutions and offering services focused on the basic needs of their neighbours.

Other Neighbourhood Appreciation Days are being planned in other congregations in Metro Sydney and in other Australian capital cities.

To the organizers – we thank you for a very enjoyable day where we felt part of the family. A true brotherhood at work indeed!

*** Bless Salonga is a freelance writer whose passion includes business management & coaching, choreography and music. She is also the co-founder and the Media & Community Coordinator for The MOB radio.

Photos: The Filipino Australian

Crowd in one of the shows in last year's Fiesta Kultura

Exhibit organiser Menchie Maneze said that the exhibit aims to showcase the works of Filipino visual artists and craftspeople in Sydney, especially the “new and emerging artists whom we haven’t heard much about”.

Visual and literary arts to be displayed will include drawings, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, film, multimedia, and books and print materials authored by Filipino writers in Australia, said Maneze.

Fiesta Kultura is staged by the Philippine Australia Sports and Culture, Inc. every October usually coinciding with a long week-end in New South Wales.

The event, previously called Philippine Fiesta, features trade exhibits, food festival, entertainment, children’s games and amusement rides, and a beauty pageant.

This year’s Fiesta Kultura will be held on Sunday, October 2 at Fairfield Showground, Smithfield Road, Bossley Park.

INC evangelist Emmanuel Era discusses biblical passages on marriage and family relationships

Highlights of the celebration included a presentation of biblical bases of marriage and family relationships.

This was followed by a fellowship hour with light dinner and video presentations of recent INC events in Metro Sydney.

Established in August 1987, the Minchinbury congregation is one of INC’s first two congregations in Metro Sydney. It draws membership from residents in other western suburbs including Colyton, Erskine Park, St Marys, Rooty Hill, Eastern Creek, Mt Druitt, Plumpton, Glendenning, Oakhurst, Woodcroft, Doonside, Blacktown, Seven Hills, Wenthworthville and Fairfield.

The Minchinbury congregation is based at 27 Eskdale Street, Minchinbury.

Sent by: Roseann Paraan

Hosted by Strathfield Council, the Spring Festival has been revamped for 2011 to a two day festival on September 10 and 11 featuring headline entertainment, cultural displays, carnival rides, a huge selection of food and market stalls, fireworks, a giant outdoor movie and lots of fun activities for all ages.

Saturday’s festival will celebrate the cultures of Strathfield from 1pm with local schools participating in a kite festival, lantern parade and with nightfall, Bollywood dancers will be set-off by fireworks and a giant outdoor Bollywood movie screening.

Australia’s Got Talent winners Justice Crew will headline the main stage entertainment on Sunday for the traditional festival day which starts at 10am. They will be joined by Japanese drumming sensation TaikOz, the musical talents of Sweetmojo, Natalie Colavito and a full day of live performances.

A dedicated Kidz World will have the children entertained for hours with performers, rides, animals and lots of activities. The Sports Quarter will feature martial arts stage demonstrations from taekwondo, tai chi, gumdo, judo, hapkido, karate and more. All appetites will be catered for with lots of food stalls providing a variety of tastes of Europe and Asia as well as the traditional festival food options.

Mayor of Strathfield, Cr Tony Maroun said this year’s festival is aiming to reach all new heights.

“The Strathfield Spring Festival is a well established community event, and this year, by celebrating cultures and adding more features to the event, we’re expecting the Festival to attract a huge crowd. There will be something for everyone to enjoy,” he said.

The glorious surrounds of Strathfield Park will come alive at the Strathfield Spring Festival. Free street parking available, or get the free shuttle bus from Strathfield Station.

Don’t miss this fun and free family day out.

Sent by: Carly Hackett, Communication and Cultural Services Officer, Strathfield Council 9748 9993

Paulini on stage with supporting local dance artists

It is still winter, yet it was a very hot Saturday night in Sydney’s Filipino Australian community last weekend!

The heat has nothing to do with the atmospheric temperature nor with Neil Diamond being in town. It was caused by one of those unusual happenings when three Filipino-organised concerts were being staged at the same time in three separate venues – all featuring “hot” entertainers.

The three events, perhaps unwittingly organised and staged head-to-head, featured Filipino singing sensation Sarah Geronimo in the Liverpool area, Filipino-Aussie diva and ever youthful Lillian de los Reyes performing in a local club in Blacktown City, and a RnB Concert headlined by Australian Idol ‘alumni’ Paulini and Stan Walker supported by Albert Prias and other Filipino-Australian local artists in a Plumpton function centre.

Too bad, one could only be in one place that night!

Knowing Lillian does the club circuit where I am likely to catch her future shows and hoping I could watch Sarah in her next Australian tour, I opted to go to the RnB Concert organised by community organisations, Australian-Filipino Business & Works Club Inc. (AFBWCI) as event producers and Filipino Lesbian & Gay Community (FLAGCOM) as artistic producers.

It was pleasing to note that the show started right on the dot at 7 o’clock as indicated on the flyer. I thought that reflected a well organised program which was to come, in contrast to the panicky start of other shows I’ve previously watched running terribly late. Honestly, there’s nothing more annoying than waiting around for a show to start.

Local artists wow the crowd with songs and dances

With only a brief introduction by Charles Chan of FLAGCOM, the show was on its way. And it progressed smoothly.

The first thirty minutes of the program showcased the talents of young local artists with the five-piece boy-band Oz-Myx Band opening the show, followed by three young ladies, Natasha McFarland, Bernadette Marquez and Abigail Magtanong, singing in group and later singing their respective solos. These young talents would no doubt improve with more experience on stage.

I was lucky to score two of the seats added in the centre aisle earlier in the evening. Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis and her 12-year old daughter Gabrielle arrived after the start of the first half of the show and got seated next to me. During the short intermission that followed, I got to say hello and have a short chat with her. She expressed great admiration of the talents of the performers.

Photos: Violi Calvert

In the subsequent part of the show, the crowd was wowed by the talents of Albert Prias, Brian Lorenz, Annie Marquez, Ma Paz Barcenas, Anpherny Maneze and Louise Nuss.

Albert and Annie set the scene with their upbeat rendition of Heartbeat and Beautiful People. Albert looked every inch a rock star – dark sunglasses, faux fur trimmed coat, harem-inspired trousers, and gelled up spiky hair. Annie equally looked diva-nesque.

Popular international dance medallist and winner of Variety Quest singer Brian received a rousing welcome from the crowd. His duet with Albert of the song Tonight I’m Loving You, with a bit of help by Anpherny on Rap, was impressive. Brian’s rendition of another Enrique Iglesias song Bailamos also displayed his dancing skills, with Jasmin Gaspi as his dance partner for this number.

Talking of dancing skills, there certainly was no shortage of performers with those skills. The Magic 2 Dance and the D Gen Dancers executed their dance steps and body movements with precision and explosive energy with upbeat numbers, and yet, when supporting softer music numbers, their gracefulness was a delight to watch.

Intermission and side notes

It was a relief that the inevitable ‘official’ part of the program was only brief. AFBWCI president Ariel Satorre presented the association’s officers and directors, and together with Raquel Pellero, AFBWCI Secretary and Event Producer, thanked the community for the overwhelming support. Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis, Marrickville Council Mayor Fiona Byrne, and APCO president Cen Amores briefly addressed the audience with complimentary remarks. After a few minutes and just as when a number of people in the audience were starting to wonder if PCC-NSW officers were in attendance, PCC-NSW vice president Alric Bulseco was called up the stage to say a few words. Consul General Louis also led the cutting of the ribbon of the car which is one of the major prizes for a raffle to be conducted by AFBWCI. More than $400 was collected from the hat passed around for donation for the Malawi children.

But wait, there were more! The main stars of the show were next to perform.

Paulini and Stan Walker on stage

When Paulini went on stage, there was great cheering from the crowd. Paulini looked fantastic and appeared to have been poured into the black lycra pants she was wearing. It was a far cry from when an Australian Idol judge commented on her attire and suggested possibly shedding some pounds at the final five weeks of 2003 Australian Idol.

Obviously, she could now thumb her nose over that episode as not only because she has a svelte to-die-for body but also by being in the Australian Recording Industy Association (ARIA) charts in 2004 with her debut album getting to Platinum. Her strong voice and confident energy-packed continuous performance for about half hour delighted the crowd, which stood up and danced to her singing.

Stan Walker showed why he was the 2009 Australian Idol winner and now a Platinum Record holder. He sang with great gusto and abandon.

It seemed effortless for him to sing through the spectrum of his vocal register reaching the highest note possible while he energetically danced to the beat of the music. I kept thinking to myself “no way” as the notes kept going higher and higher, but he reached the highest possible note ala-Mariah Carey way! Like Paulini, he got the crowd involved as he seamlessly moved from one song to the next.

An evening of good entertainment and collaboration

Congratulations to AFBWCI, in particular to Raquel Pellero, AFBWCI’s indefatigable secretary and event producer extraordinare, FLAGCOM and all who were involved in this show. It was an evening of fantastic songs and dances. Even my 92-year old mother enjoyed herself and only half complained about the loud music.

Aside from providing a good entertainment, the event promoted collaboration between the Filipino and Samoan communities, and a worthy project with proceeds contributing towards projects being undertaken by AFBWCI.

Despite getting a bit lost on our way to the venue, I am glad I was there enjoying a feverish feeling of a hot August Saturday night.

- – - – - -
Violi Calvert is a freelance writer; Media & PR for Australian Handball Federation and Media & PR for Nenad Bach Music [Australia & Asia].

Philippine Consulate officials, members of two Sydney-based Rizal legions, and Filipino community members braved a cold morning last Sunday (June 19) to congregate at Plaza Iberoamericana and celebrate Dr Jose Rizal’s sesquicentennial birth anniversary.

Plaza Iberoamericana, located at Chalmers Street near Sydney’s Central Station, features a Rizal bust together with those of Hispanic-American heroes.

Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis, in her message, urged everyone to continue to remember Rizal for “his sacrifices in paving the way for the Filipino people to gain nationhood”, adding that the values that Rizal lived by continue to be relevant today. “These are integrity, justice, freedom from oppression and equal rights for all Filipinos.”

Mr Philip Ranoso, Sydney Chapter Commander of the Order of Knights of Rizal, and Mr Fidel Pamplona, head of Lodge Jose Rizal #1045, led their respective members in the floral offering and in re-affirming their loyalty to the national hero’s ideals.

Photos by The Filipino Australian

Filipino scholars with Mr. Gorter (L-R) Kiko de Guzman, Nic Sanchez, Anette Baleda, Mr Gorter, Jed Dayang, Chloe Wong, Ana Soli

The Philippine Embassy led the Filipino community in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) to celebrate the 113th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence and the 150th year birth anniversary of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

The simple ceremony started at 10:00 am at the Philippine Embassy grounds at 1 Moonah Place in Yarralumlah with an invocation led by Vice Consul Grace Anne Bulos followed by a parade of colors and flag-raising accompanied by the singing of the Philippine national anthem.

Philippine Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Mary Anne A. Padua welcomed more than 100 guests from the Filipino-Australian community including Filipino scholars pursuing post-graduate degrees at the Australian National University and the Australian Catholic University in Canberra.

Official messages of Philippine government leaders were delivered by Embassy officers and staff.

Defense Attaché Captain Ernesto Enriquez delivered the message of Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Eduardo SL Oban, Jr.; Attaché Carlomagno Estole read the message of Labor Secretary Rosalina Dimapilis-Baldoz; and Vice Consul Alexander N. Go read the message of Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario.

In reading the Philippine independence day message of Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III, Minister Padua delivered the President’s appreciation of the Filipino community’s sacrifices in terms of supporting their “families back home” and contributing to the “noble task of nation-building”.

Minister Padua also presided over the oath-taking and awarding of certificates of dual citizenship to Mr. Roland Caterdilla, Mr. and Mrs. Loel Ortiz, and Ms. Gemma Brain.

A posthumous Philippine Liberation Medal (PLM) was awarded to Mr. Reginald Braithwaite Sharp received by his grandson Mr. Brian Gorter.

Australian government scholars who attended for the first time the Philippine national day celebration in Canberra included PhD candidates Juan E. Dayang, Jr. of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Michael Cabalfin of the National Economic Development Agency, Nicamil Sanchez of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Masters degree candidates Chloe Wong of the Foreign Service Institute, Francis de Guzman of the University of the Philippines, Ana Salmoro Solis of Pag-Asa weather bureau, Annette Estrera Baleda of the Commission on Women and Catherine Diomampo, an Endeavour Award scholar.

Albert Chua, a Filipino resident and alumnus of the world-ranking Australia National University said that “Nakakatuwa na kahit wala tayo sa bansa natin, ay naipagdiriwang pa din natin ang araw ng ating kalayaan”.