COMMUNITY
APCO ' s Freedom Charity Ball had a ' Harmony ' theme
THIS year ’ s theme of Freedom Charity Ball at Club Marconi , Fairfield , was Harmony And Mutual Respect for a Progressive Multicultural Society , in celebration by the Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations ( APCO ) of the 119th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence in 1898 .
By RICHARD FORD
APCO president Pet Storey , in her message at the function , said : “ APCO believes that to live harmoniously in diversity and to respect each individuals strengths and frailties can lead to a progressive , noble and dignified multicultural society ,”
Distinguished guest were Kevin Conolly , MP for Riverstone representing NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian ; Hugh McDermott , MP for Prospect representing NSW Oppostion Leader Luke Foley ; Guy Zangari , MP for Fairfield ; Peter Doukis , chairman of NSW ECC ; Consul Marford Angeles , representing the Consulate Genera , l Sydney ; and Vince Foti , president of Club Marconi .
Entertainment was provided by the Filipinas Dancers with choreography by Emma Braceros ; soprano Linda Trinidad , Jinky Trijo Marsh and Jersay Delaney , Jay Gaerlan , and Ballina Gee . Music was provided by Pedro Inc and the Regroove Band . Winners of the Filipiniana and Barong Competition were Jimmy Lopez ( Best in Modern Barong ); Nap Guines ( Best in Traditional Barong ); Francine Baltazar ( Best in Traditional Filipiniana ) Apple Ramos ( Best in Modern Filipiniana ); Cleo Baltazar ( Best in Multicultural Outfit Male / Female ); Serrina Rivera ( Best Dress overall Male / Female ).
Judges were , Valerie Tolosa of Eponymous label ; Alexis Tan , Vince Foti , and Marford Angeles .
Beauty queens in attendance were Cora Bojarski , Sue Turner , Emilie Hardes , Robbie Canner , Rachel Nikolovski , Faiel Valenciano , Alexis Tan , Serrina Rivera , Chantelle Torres , and Neri Soothill .
The program production team was Flagcom led by Albert Prias and Charles Chan . •
Filipinas Dancers , from left , Dian Ford , Emma Braceros and Juliet Vella dancing the Pandango Sa Pag Ibig .
Anne Jalando-On Louis , Liverpool Councillor Charishma Kaliyanda representing Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller , State MP for Liverpool Paul Lynch , and Federal MP for Werriwa Anne Stanley .
Also present were APCO resident Pet Storey , APCO founding president Cen Amores , and NSW Cancer Council ooordinator Akshay Raj Kumar .
Special guests were 14 beauty queens comprising Australia ’ s Teen Queen National Finalist 2017 Rachel Nikolovski , Miss Teen Continents Australia 2017 Jasmine Allesio , Miss Continents Australia 2017 Jennifer Hunt , Miss Face of the Globe Australia 2016 Samantha Mullins , Ms Classic Global United International 2016 and Regal Majesty Finalist 2017 Robbie Canner , Ms Classic Australia Global United Finalist and Mrs Earth Air 2017 Sue Turner , Mrs Continents Australia 2016 Kim Cancellier , Miss Philippine Australia Charity Queen 2016 Jade Crystal Wright Miss Visayas- Australia 2015 , Miss Philippines Australia 2015- Miss Mutya Ng Filipinas Australia 2017 Rica Sey , Miss Visayas Australia 2015-Miss Philippine Australia Runner- Up 2016 Adriana Gravador , Miss Mardi Gras International Queen 2017 Alexis Tan , Miss Mardi Gras Rainbow Princess 2017 Faiel Valenciano , Mrs Global United Ambassador 2015 Michelle Hillman , and Ms . Classic Global United International Lifetime Queen-Ms . Classic Australia Lifetime Queen Cora Bojarski .
Music was provided by Danny Garcia and Moises del Mundo .
Entertainers were Stephanie Bernardo , Sharlene Gamo , Linda Trinidad , the Filipinas Dancers of APCO , dancers Jamilla and Tara Escobar , and surprise singer Rolando Lumin from Adelaide .
Emcees were Jhun Tekiko and Terry Hollebone . •
A call to support troops in Marawi
Evelyn Opilas , foreground , in Sydney waiting for her Support Our Troops T-shirts .
A CHANCE meeting with top brass at the Civil Relations Service ( CRS ) at Camp Aguinaldo on June 21 , 2017 led to the officers calling on Filipinos in Sydney to “ support our troops ” after 66 Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel had died in Marawi City since fierce fighting erupted late May .
By EVELYN OPILAS
“ We need support from Sydney ,” said Colonel Gerardo M Zamudio jr , chief of staff of the CRS Armed Forces of the Philippines ( AFP ), having been informed of the Australia Philippines Services League ( APSL ) comprising former AFP personnel and descendants of Filipino veterans .
In its awareness campaign , the CRS AFP has invited the public to help boost morale among Filipino soldiers fighting in Marawi City by wearing T-shirts marked with Support Our Troops in front and # Support Our Troops at the back , a move that has attracted many to trek to Camp Aguinaldo to reserve the often sold out apparel .
CRS Commander Major General Ronnie S Evangelista , who has family in Sydney , reiterated they were drumming up support for the troops from the sale of the Support Our Troops T-shirts , not fundraising .
“ You show you are behind the troops by simply wearing the T-shirts ,” he said .
Government forces seek to regain control of Marawi City , the only Muslim city in the Philippines , from the Maute group , a band of extremists reportedly linked to the Islamic State group of the Middle East , which aims to set up a caliphate in Mindanao . •
Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo mark 22nd year
Members of the Filipino-Australian community took part in the annual Santacruzan-Flores de Mayo celebration at All Saints Catholic church hall in Liverpool on May 27 .
By RICHARD FORD
It was the 22nd year of Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo event organised by Fil-Oz Liverpool . All Saints church parish priest Father Paul celebrated Mass . Distinguished guests were Philippine Consul-General
Entertainers Brian Lorenz and Marcus Rivera joined the public in an impromptu line dance during the APCO Freedom Day Ball last month .
14 JULY 2017 | AK NewsMagazine , Vol 7 No 10 www . kalatas . com . au