Banag Banag, Inc – Bisaya Speaking Association in NSW, had its 15th Anniversary Gala Night last Saturday, 1 August. The purpose of the Gala Night is to raise funds for our charities in the Philippines. Current projects include providing a “poso”, deep well water pump, so remote communities may have water. 600 people attended the fund raising event. The theme was latin, Copacabana – a night to remember. Members and guests were encouraged to dress up in their favourite latin outfit. That wasn’t hard to do since the Philippines has a heavy spanish influence. The night featured a performance from a Brazilian Mardi Gras trio. With the women of course, (barely) clothed in mardi gras costumes, and yes, they did shake their bonbon. This is the ‘teaser’ video. A professional video showing the full program will be uploaded later.

Donations were received from Philippine Community Council of New South Wales, Inc ($1,000.00), Visayan Association of Australia Inc.($500.00), Fil-Coop ($250.00), Mr Stepan Kerkyasharian ($200.00), Myra Robinson ($100.00), and Banag Banag Inc ($2,000.00).

Roger Luong also donated 100 kilos of brand new children’s clothes.

The total cash donations of $4,050 is a thousand shy away from the group’s target of Five thousand Australian dollars.

Rachael Rebollido and Anita Capala of Banag Banag will personally distribute 5 kilos of rice, noodles and cans of sardines to approximately 400 affected families in the worst affected area in the Visayan region, the Iloilo province.

The Visayan association also requests that donations be made in cash to avoid additional costs in shipping non-monetary donations.

A special Banag-Banag Inc. Westpac Bank account had been created for cash donations. BSB: 032-382 Account Number: 246925

Receipts are issued to acknowledge donations. Financials will also be in NSW Filipino newspapers.

The following Banag-Banag volunteers may be contacted to arrange pick up of donations:

Rachael Rebollido
0404 391 848
9671 4438 (after 3:30pm)
rachaelrebollido [at] hotmail [dot] com

Anita Capala
0410 657 940
9648 6100(office)
acapala [at] optusnet [dot] com [dot] au

Vilma Samson
0431 112 962
9681 8609(offce)
vgs28 [at] yahoo.com

With strong winds and heavy rains hitting hard the Visayan region last June. to date there are still reports of families in the Panay Region who are still homeless and who are in dire need for assistance to buy food, clothing and medicines.

Through the endorsement of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, Banag-Banag will lead and account for the collection of the donations in New South Wales and coordinate the distribution to worthwhile recipients of the worst affected areas in the Visayan region.

A special Banag-Banag Westpac Bank account has been opened for cash donations – BSB: 032-382 Account Number: 246925

Cash donations will be received on or before 15th of September 2008. This deadline will assist for the planning and distribution. Likewise, acknowledgement of receipt for cash donations will be mailed to the donor by email request.

For donations in kind, please contact the following Banag-Banag volunteers, to arrange pick up: Rachael Rebollido 0404 391 848 / 9671 4438; Anita Capala 0410 657 940 / 9648 6100 (office), and Vilma Samson 0431 112 962 / 9681 8609 (office)
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Banag-Banag is the association of Visayan-speakers of New South Wales and an affiliate of the Philippine Community Council of New South Wales over the past 14 years.

Cyclone “Frank” brought destruction and death to Filipinos in many provinces in the Visayas region, including those who are presumed dead due to the sinking of the inter-island vessel “Princess of the Stars” owned by Sulpicio Lines.

In its role as the focal point of all donations and contributions for relief, Banag-Banag will be responsible in transmitting said donations to concerned sectors which are directly assisting the affected families.

Interested parties and donors may contact Banag-Banag through Rachael Rebollido (mob 0404 391 848 / 9671 4438), Anita Capala (0410 657 940 / 9648 6100) and Vilma Samson (0431 112 962 / 9681 8609).

The vision of a new day

Banag-Banag (derived from the word “dawn” signifying a vision of a new day) is actively involved in various community oriented projects, social and charitable works both in Sydney and in the Philippines.

The association’s projects and charitable works include a Scholarship Program run at Don Bosco Balamban Technological Center in Prenza Cebu and Project Legacy, an initiative of the Philippine-Australian community aimed at documenting the legacy of Filipino migrants in New South Wales.

The association is based in Parklea New South Wales. Its main objective is to be an “exemplary Australian organization for the preservation of the Visayan Filipino culture and for providing aid to those in need.”

The association is currently headed by Michelle Ramas as incumbent President and Rachael Rebollido as President elect for 2009.

Banag-Banag officers and directors (L-R): Anita Capala, Rachael Rebollido, Mar Macabenta, Cleo Diana-Mantua, Alvin Lai, Ben Pineda, Michelle Ramas, Vilma Samson, Mila Alforque, Fely Vano-Ang and Prescie Bacalla. Not in photo - Giovanni Mission