Ang Kalatas Volume IV September 2014 Issue | Page 7

THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 4 Number 12 | September 2014 COMMUNITY VAA anniversary bash THE Visayan Association of Australia Inc. (VAA Inc.) celebrated its 11th Foundation Anniversary last month with a Pyjama Party and to honour the winners and candidates of Mrs Visayas-Australia and Charity Queen Pageant for the past five years. THE celebration was held at the All Saints Liverpool Catholic Church Hall with part of the fete proceeds allocated to the Visayas Mindanao Tertiary Education Assistance, a project to support poor students from the Visayas and parts of Mindanao in need of assistance to complete a tertiary education. Ruben Amores, current President of APCO Inc. (Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations), lauded the Visayan Association for its contributions to the community over the past 11 years. Entertainment were provided by Annie Marquez, Stephanie Bernardo, the Visayan Dance Group showcasing traditional Filipino dance and the alltime favourite Hawaiian dance. A surprise guest artist was Maggie Cordova, singing the moving hymn “Ave Maria”. Maggie is the daughter of Judith Broad, Secretary of VAA Inc. Receiving recognition of their meritorious service to the organisation were Vivian Brew- 07 Understanding Diabetes THE Philippine Health Care Association of Australia-Philippine Nurses Association (PHCAA-PNA) recently sponsored a series of Diabetes Awareness Information sessions to raise the awareness of the Filipino community on the dangers of diabetes. The sessions focused on understanding the causes and how to prevent diabetes. Participants with diabetes were given information on how to manage the disease to avoid complications and other related illnesses. The sessions were Julie Nuñez (standing at the back) with guests and participants of Diabetes Awareness Information session to raise the awareness of the Filipinos on the dangers of diabetes. conducted by Julie Nunez, a trained Bilingual Community Educator. Simultaneous workshops were also given on the issue of Domestic Violence, Family Harmony and Healthy Relationships. Wanted: Pinay actor to join Fil-Aussie soap opera 'Skandalosa' By Michelle Baltazar PARTY WITH PYJAMAS. They did not really intend to make a fashion statement. In an impromptu modelling show, some officers and supporters of the Visayan Association of Australia Inc came to party and did a catwalk in their pyjamas in the fun 11th Foundation anniversary of the association. From left, VAA president Jhun Salazar, PRO Richard Ford, Charles Chan and Junjun Salazar ington, Annie Marquez, Elizabeth Gamo, Mellie Connelly and the reigning Mrs VisayasAustralia Charity Queen Brenda De La Sala. An impromptu cat walk of participants wearing onesies delighted the crowd. This was followed by raffle draws and non-stop dancing with DJ Danny Garcia. (See more photos of the party at www.kalatas.com. au). [Contributed by Richard Ford, VAA] A YOUNG film crew is bringing the fun and sizzle of Filipinostyle telenovelas to Sydney - and they are looking for a Pinay actor to join the cast of 'Skandalosa'. Philippine TV networks ABS-CBN and GMA better watch out - there's an ambitious group of Filipino-Australians hoping to bring soap opera 'Pinoy Style' to Sydney. Producer Jason Ross started filming this month and still need additional cast mem- bers. As far as the plot goes, this is how he described it: Skandalosa is about a girl in the province in the Philippines who dreams of a better life but her family wants her to stay local. A foreign guy visiting the Philippines has a motorcycle accident outside her house and she ends up nursing him back to health. They fall in love and against her parents' wishes (and the local pinoy boy from the village who always loved her) she leaves and runs away to Australia. Meanwhile, in Australia, the scenes are set around a 5-star hotel owned and run by a playboy bigshot (played by Tony Keo) who sees the staff at his hotel as his personal playthings (gotta have the bad guy). Usual twists and turns, betrayal and love stories. "Yes, it's corny. Yes, it's a soap opera," Ross said.  He is looking for more people and says everybody's welcome to join in. F o r m o r e d e t a i l s :  [email protected] or phone Jason on 0450642217.