The 1st of April marked a very special day for the new officers and board members of the Philippine Language and Cultural Association of Australia (PLCAA). It was the day of their induction coinciding with a special day of promise and joy, with the oath taking of Australian Filipinos regaining their Filipinocitizenship. These events took place at the St Marys Senior Citizens Centre Hall, St Marys.
PLCAA welcomed their partners and guests, mostly dressed in native Barong Tagalog and Filipiniana. Dressed in Filipiniana, was special guest Hon. Consul General Anne J. Louis who also welcomed the crowd gathering to attend this special day. A day when fellow Filipino Australians have decided to regain their Filipino Citizenship, or a day to ponder and enquire just a little more before deciding.
Forum attendees gaining more knowledge on dual citizenship and overseas absentee voting
The master of ceremony was PLCAA’s newly elected President Danny Rosales, who acknowledged the presence of all the special guests, visitors and re-affirming Filipinos. After the singing of the Philippine and Australian national anthems, PLCAA member Chiqui Desphy introduced the new officers and board members of the PLCAA. This forced Danny to leave his MC role for just a little while to give his pledge. The new officers and board members’ pledge was taken in front of Consul General Anne J. Louis confirming their commitment to serve PLCAA. No cameras were left to spare as many photos were taken to commemorate the occasion.
After completing the induction, a forum was held regarding Philippine dual citizenship and overseas absentee voting. The forum was made possible by the effective partnership of four community organisations : Aguman Capampangan, Australia- Philippines Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc ( APSCII ), Marikina Association of Sydney Australia ( MASA ) and PLCAA.
There were many questions asked of the ConGen Anne J. Louis and Philippine Consulate Administrative Officer Rose Calderon as well as PLCAA Auditor, Mike Alvarez. Questions included advantages and disadvantages of dual citizenship, the rights of Australian-born children of Filipino parents to dual citizenship and the tax implications of dual citizens working or earning an income in the Philippines. Overall, advantages outweighed the disadvantages and the implications were not as significant if dual citizenship was acquired.
The citizenship ceremony commenced with the Consul General Anne J. Louis reading out the list of names to come forward. The five applicants assembled in front of the Consul General and were given the oath to repeat in Tagalog. With their right hand in the air and their oath repeated in synchrony with the Consul General, five Filipino Australians also became five Filipino citizens once again.
Filipinos taking their oath as they regained Philippine citizenship.
It was a joyous atmosphere with many photos once again to commemorate the occasion. Filipino food and drinks were made available soon afterwards, along with music and dance to complete a memorable day. No fools day but a day full of joy and special promises to remember and keep.
By Alan Candelario
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