Penrith Filipino Gazette Online Edition - Volume 5 Issue 1

April Fools! No fools but a day of promise and joy.

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.

Sponsors of the Forum: L-R Aguman Capampangan President Marivic Manalo, APSCII Vice President Tess Sayas, ConGen Anne J. Louis, PLCAA President Danny Rosales and MASA President Roland Martinez


By Alan Candelario

Induction of 2012 PLCAA Officers

Induction of the 2012 PLCAA Officers and Board of Directors held on 01 April 2012 at St. Marys Senior Citizens Centre, St. Marys with Philippine Consul General Hon. Anne J. Louis officiating the rites.

Front Row: L-R Alan Candelario (PRO), Mike Alvarez (Auditor), Malu Barroga (Treasurer), Aurora Valencia (Secretary), Consul General Hon. Anne J. Louis, Maya Ibarra (Vice President), Danny Rosales (President) Dr Alexis Leones (Immediate Past President)

Back Row: L-R Board of Directors: Divina Ibarra, Beth Alcantara, Cora Barretto, Marie Bandayrel, Maria Bock,  Aida Basto, Lionel Laserna, Tony Malicdem


MESSAGE

Sama Sama Tayong Maglakbay

Magandang araw po sa Inyo.  Bago ang lahat, ako po at sampu ng pamunuan ng PLCAA ay taos pusong  nagpapasalamat sa inyong pagtangkilik at higit sa lahat sa
inyong pagtitiwala sa amin upang patuloy na maitaguyod ang dakilang layunin ng ating samahan.

Halos limang taon na ang nakalipas mula ng matatag ang samahang ito.  At sa mga nagdaang panahon aking nasaksiyan at namalas ang matulin at matagumpay na pag-unlad nito.Amin pong pakay na sa pamamagitan ng PLCAA aymaipamalas at lalong  mapagyaman ang ating sariling wika at kulturang Pilipino mula sa loob ng ating sariling tahanan at hanggang sa buong komunidad.

Kami ay lubos na naniniwala sa adhikaing ito, kaya magsama-sama tayo at magtulong-tulong sa paglalakbay na ito. 

Danny Rosales
PLCAA President


   MESSAGE

Celebrating Culture:  Service, Collaboration, Integration

PLCAA celebrates its 5th anniversary in 2012. We have enjoyed sharing our rich Philippine culture and enhancing the cultural diversity of the City of Penrith. PLCAA has provided opportunities for people to share their talents and skills through music, dance and art through its continuing projects: Penrith Community Filipino School, Penrith Filipino Gazette, PLCAA Glee Club, PLCAA Cultural Dancers, Filipino Cultural Heritage Youth Camp, and Carols on Wheels. We thank the volunteers for their dedication and commitment.


With the 2012 PLCAA Board, I am confident that 2012 will be memorable as we lead PLCAA to greater heights through collaboration and integration.

I also thank the Penrith City Council, Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, NSW Federation of Community Languages School, the Philippine Community Council of NSW and its affiliate- organisations, all of which have been invaluable partners in almost all of PLCAA’s community events. These partnerships have made a big difference towards our contributions to the community

Dr Alexis Leones
PLCAA Immediate Past President

Meet the PLCAA Board

M E S S A G E S

Maya Ibarra 

May I congratulate PLCAA for reaching a milestone in 2012 - 5 years of excellent service to the Filipino - Australian community of Penrith and the wider community of Sydney. I feel honoured and privileged to have been a part of this great organization since its inception. PLCAA has displayed our Filipino culture and heritage through song, dance and the various activities of the PCFS. May we continue to persevere  in our mission of promoting awareness, understanding and appreciation of our Filipino culture. Mabuhay tayong  lahat!

Aurora Valencia
I joined PLCAA three years ago for the glee club. This year, I am greatly honoured to be a member of the Board. I believe in its mission and admire the dedication, enthusiasm and involvement of its members in every activity and projects in promoting our Filipino heritage, talents, education and community service.  The friendship and camaraderie among the PLCAA members is obvious and commendable. In partnership with the Penrith City Council, the Philippine Consulate General and other communityorganisations, PLCAA is able to successfully and effectively achieve its objectives.

Malu Barroga

What an honour to be re-elected as treasurer, and again be one of ever busy PLCAA Board achievers. I look forward to a more fun-filled activities and events especially on the 5th Anniversary Celebration of PLCAA on 25 August 2012. Mabuhay ang PLCAA!

Mike Alvarez

I am honoured to have been elected as PLCAA Auditor for the second time. Through PLCAA, my wife and I have learned the art of singing with the PLCAA Glee Club and my wife Sylvia is currently learning the Ifugao dance. In 2012, the PLCAA Board has lined up four major activities:  PLCAA's fifth anniversary celebration, Philippine Independence Day event, Karaoke Master Competition and Pasko Na Naman. On behalf of PLCAA, I applied for $1,000 grant for its project Carol on Wheels to benefit nursing home residents during Christmas. 


I congratulate the new Board members especially Danny Rosales for accepting the position of PLCAA President. I also acknowledge the efforts of Past Presidents Evelyn Esguerra and Dr. Alexis Leones for steering PLCAA for where it is today.

Alan Candelario

Mabuhay kayong lahat! As the new PLCAA PRO, I would like to thank you all for the privilege of becoming an important member of the PLCAA. I look forward to assisting and developing PLCAA’s vision: to enable and empower Australian Filipinos to value their language and heritage. To participate actively within their communities in order to foster a better understanding and appreciation of Filipinos in Australia.
Maraming salamat po.

Beth Alcantara

Being involved in PLCAA helped me feel connected to my roots by looking back and reliving the culture and experiences that tend to be forgotten as one gets immersed in a whole new way of life and perspective. I dare not claim patriotism as one of my virtues, because if it truly is, I wouldn’t be here in Australia. But I do love the land of my birth and the family I left behind. I strive to be, in my own little way, a good ambassador of our country, whether at work, in the community or the society in general.


I hope that I can bring something of myself to this organisation where I have met so many beautiful people and continue to cultivate friends for life. More power to PLCAA and to GOD be the glory.

Aida Basto

I am honoured and proud to be part of PLCAA, in continuously promoting our Filipino culture and traditions. The dedication, hardwork and enthusiasm within the group are contagious.  To be involved in various projects and successful performances are very rewarding.  More power to PLCAA!

Marie Bandayrel

It gives me a great pleasure to have joined the PLCAA to be able to help and promote its mission of cultural diversity in the community. I have made a substantial contributions through teaching dance, language and participation in different projects for everyone’s awareness of the Filipino cultural heritage background. It is my wish to leave a legacy that we can all be proud of.

Cora Barretto

It gives me great pleasure to commend the officers and members of the PLCAA in their enthusiastic efforts to promote and preserve heritage and culture through its various projects such as the Penrith Community
Filipino School, PLCAA Glee Club and Filipino Cultural Heritage Youth Camp.Like the past officers and members I am truly honoured and proud to be associated with a wide variety of people who are very supportive of our organisation's many activities. I salute past and present officers for their efforts in making all our projects a big success.

Maria Bock

I am happy to be part of PLCAA. I’ll do my best to participate and perform with the other members of the group and have fun- time singing. I am also proud to be able to help with the learning of the Filipino language and culture of the young Filipino-Australians.

Divina Ibarra

Ang pagbubuklod natin sa isa’t isa ang naging tibay at lakas ng ating samahang PLCAA, umabot na sa ika-limang taon na ipinahihiwatig sa mga mamamayan, ma-Pilipino o ibang lahi, ang ating kultura at tradisyon sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral ng sariling wika, kanta, sayaw, pagkain at larong Pilipino ng ating bansa. Nawa’y patuloy pa tayong bigyan ng lakas at gabayan ng ating Poong Maykapal.  Mabuhay tayong lahat!

Lionel Laserna

Congratulations to PLCAA on its 5th anniversary. Once again, it is with much gladness that I am part of the PLCAA Board. I look forward to working with the team to organise future activities. This collaborative effort, a strong characteristic of PLCAA, means good quality performances and success of community events. I believe in promoting our Philippine heritage and culture among the younger generations of
Filipino-Australians and in the wider community. I invite people with this passion to be a part of PLCAA. I guarantee a joyful journey with PLCAA. Join now.



Tony Malicdem

Ang Pilipinas ay isang bansa na hinandugan ng Maykapal ng maraming wika at iba't ibang kultura. Kaya ang Pinoy ay isa sa mga lahi ng tao sa mundong ito na laging maunlad, mapagmamalaki at higit sa lahat ay mapagmahal sa kahit na sinong lahi. I am proud to be a Pinoy.

2012 — PLCAA BOARD

HERE TO SERVE

Penrith Filipino Community School

From the Principal's Desk
This year’s theme for the Filipino Cultural Heritage Youth Camp was Pinoy Survivor, which was held from 27th –29th January, 2012 at Camp Kedron.

Our PCFS students had a fun-filled day with lots of challenging games and races. I would like to thank Dr. Alexis Leones for her creative ideas of the Camp theme and
Dodee Leones for his continued efforts in organizing the camp activities, without their dedication and leadership this camp would not be possible.

I would like to welcome and thank Bong Valencia a new member of our Camp Moderator team, along with Lionel Laserna and Alan Candelario. I would also like to thank Nene Castillo our Arts and Crafts teacher for her Tribal challenge idea which was the highlight of the Camp and Malou Laserna, Cora Barretto and Maria Bock for their
participation and contribution to the camp.

The school was fortunate to have an official visit from Tanya Davies MP (State Member for Mulgoa) on the 24th of March 2012. The Member of the Parliament attended the Arts and Crafts class with the theme of “Harmony Day” and also attended the Adult Language class of Lety Cunanan the school’s academic advisor, in which she acquired basic greetings and words in Tagalog. The Member of Parliament enjoyed her visit and expressed her interest in attending and participating in our Arts and Crafts and Dance Classes on her next visit.

My special thanks to PLCAA President Danny Rosales and the PLCAA Board Members Mike Alvarez, Lionel Laserna, Aurora Valencia, Maria Bock and Aida Basto for their inspiring presence and support during the MP’s visit.

Come, Join and Learn the FILO way!

Salamat sa inyong lahat.
Marie Bandayrel

======================================================

Tanya Davies MP visits

Penrith Community Filipino School

Tanya Davies MP with PLCAA President Danny Rosales, PCFS Principal Marie Bandayrel

and PLCAA Board members: Mike Alvarez and Aurora Valencia.

PCFS students eager to start their arts and crafts project

PCFS students showcased their creativity using empty toilet paper roll holders,

with the theme “Harmony Day and My Family” .

Karaoke Culture

By Lee Candelario

I am always fearful going to a Filipino function. Not because of the noise, the crowds, the food or the speeches. It is the fear of karaoke. I am not a singer. But it doesn’t really seem to matter anyway. I admire the Filipino spirit: the ability to sing your heart out in front of a crowd, who may or may not be listening.

It seems that karaoke is acceptable in any setting in the Philippines. Of course, in bars and restaurants, karaoke is the norm. But when I heard people belting out their favourite tunes in the middle of a department store, I was really surprised. What shocked me more was the fact that the shoppers, oblivious to the performance, went on with their shopping without a second glance. I tried to imagine that here in Australia, and envisioned a totally different scenario.

I imagine myself, in the middle of JB Hi Fi, picking up the microphone and launching myself into an out of tune rendition of Islands in the Stream. My vision continues with shoppers stopping, staring, then moving as far away from the performance as possible. In fact, some even leave the store, which forces the staff to take the microphone from me and eject me due to loss of sales.

My next vision is different. I am in SM, North Edsa. I casually pick up the microphone and start to sing Pare Ko. There are a few shoppers around, but no one really takes much notice at first. Then there is clapping and cheering for the ‘Americana’ singing in Tagalog. My fellow shoppers join in. I am not removed from the store, on the contrary, I am asked to come back on a regular basis to entertain the shoppers and boost sales.

Why are my visions so different? Because Filipinos love their karaoke. They accept anyone, whether they can hold a tune or not. Performance is in the blood. It is an integral part of life in the Philippines.

Imagine Australian parliament with karaoke. Question time would be so much more interesting in song. Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott sing a duet they then agree on policy and eat pancit and adobo!

For now I guess I will just be happy to listen to others sing. An authentic Filipino karaoke machine is on the shopping list for our next Philippines trip. Look out, neighbours, you may be awoken to Islands in the Stream one Sunday morning. It’s better than being woken up by a lawn mower, isn’t it?

Being a Pinoy Survivor – A Youth Camp Expereince

By Angelo Co

I was given the privilege of writing about my experiences from the recent Fillipino Cultural Heritage Youth Camp ( FCHYC ) organised by the Philippine Language and Cultural Association of Australia ( PLCAA ) under the cultural program of the Penrith Community Filipino School. By now this would have been my second attendance to the camp as well as the first time leading such an event as a group consultant. Overall the camp left a positive impression on me. I met and interacted with a whole range of different youths with various personalities giving me that feeling of a sort of camaraderie with all participants involved. It seemed as though no one was left out as the group readily accepted new people as though they have been friends far longer than the three short days the camp warranted.


In those three days we learnt much about our heritage as Filipino youths. We identified three of the most documented indigenous tribes of the Philippines: the Ifugao, the Maranao and the T’Boli. We learnt about each tribe’s way of life with their rich and expansive culture and history.

The theme of the 2012 FCHYC was Pinoy Survivors and like the name suggested the participants were split into three tribes to battle it out for supremacy. We went through the motions of the first day, we introduced ourselves to the groups and acclimated ourselves to the environments of Camp Kedron.

Our first real challenge was the creation of a tribal flag, and wow, the amount of creativity and ingenuity of the groups really showed during and after the completion of the flags. It was great seeing everyone working together to make flags that represented us as tribal groups as well as youths of the Philippines. In my modest opinion I still think T’Boli had the better flag only because I was also part of that group.

A display of the artistic, colourful  tribal flags  made by the Youth camp participants.

   Camp directors appreciated their creativity with much pride and joy.

The night came and with it so did Trivia: Tribal Feud. Similar to the concept of ‘1 vs 100’ each group were told to write down a list of things that correlate to a selection of 14 questions related to the Philippines in general. T’Boli of course, blew the rest of the competition out of the ball park as we were just that awesome. On the second day we had a Survivor- like challenges combined with an

Amazing Race- themed challenge where the groups raced against each other in various Philippine- themed challenges in an attempt to be the first group to cross the finish line. After a few false starts, the games began with T’boli again securing first place, followed closely by Ifugao and Maranao for the second and third place respectively. By now T’boli had a large gap on the leader board and victory was assured… how very wrong we were.

The next challenge of Day 2 had the groups creating regional headdresses for the tribes they represented. We were instructed to make pieces that could be seen as having come from the region as well as putting our own contemporary spin in the creating process. Now I for one can readily admit I lack creativity when it comes to fashion so I was at a loss when trying to help the others in creating a head piece that represented T’Boli. The other groups had such elaborate designs, and up to this day of writing has still baffled and shocked me. I had no idea you could do those things with paper, fabric and thread.

The Camp challenges came to a close with the most epic of final challenges. The camp Directors ushered all tribal groups inside the basketball courts, gave us tags that we were to defend with our lives and let us outsmart each other with our hidden strategies to grab other tags. It was chaotic, it was thrilling and it was really, really fun. Although I was a bit peeved when I realised the other two groups had formed an alliance to take T’Boli down. Still it just goes to show how awesome everyone else thought our group was.

The day came to a close with everyone relaxing after an intense day of challenges and we spent the night’s ‘Variety Night’ watching in awe at the talents of every one of the youths that came on this trip with us. It was a great way to end the camp officially by having everyone showcasing their individual strengths before retiring for the day.


All in all I had a great time during this year’s camp. I’ve learnt a lot about the cultural heritage of the land in which I came from. I made friends with people I normally would not have had the chance to interact with and just have fun. I look forward to the future youth camps that the PLCAA will be having and encourage other youths in the local area to come join in the fun the next time it comes around. Don’t worry about being left out coz everyone there will welcome you with open arms.

Pinoy Game: Agawan Base Challenge

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