THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA
www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 5 Number 7 | APRIL 2015
COMMUNITY ROUND-UP
Blessing Tent binds Pinoys with other cultures
15
‘Buhay Dalisay’ – new
Fil-Aussie group
Blessing Tent ‘s free food distribution in Blacktown on Thursdays. Photo by Blessing Tent
BLESSING Tent’s FilipinoAustralian Pastor Ray Clemente with Pastor Nick
Panginan from New-Life
Christian Church were
joined by the multicultural preacher Nigerian
Pastor Ayo Folagbade of
the Partakers Sanctuary
Christian Church, Blacktown and over 20 volunteers as they distributed
free delicatessen assorted breads, Kellogs cereals, Milk, choc milk, ap-
ples and vegetables and
a sumptuous hearty vegetable semi-sweet vegesoup.
The Nigerian Pastor has joined the Pinoys in the food distribution programme and
has expressed admiration for the Pinoys’ ‘mano
po’ gesture – an act of respect for the elders.
“Our mission seems
to be orchestrated by
God because we were
doing our own ministry in
the streets of Blacktown
and we also saw Pastor
Clemente’s team here, so
we connected with that
vision,” Pastor Folagbade
said.
“We also have groups
helping along Mt. Druitt
mall, and we are slowly
expanding to other shopping malls possibly Parramatta in the future,” Pastor Clemente also added.
Blessing Tent’s aim
is to help the needy, the
struggling average families with a little help and
promote social cohesion
and friendship among kababayans and other multicultural groups.
Recipients were very
thankful of the vegetables food donors from
“West Farms”, assorted
breads from Woolworths,
milk from Coles and the
hot soups made by the
volunteers.
BICOL INCORPORATED
Bicol Inc celebrated their 10th anniversary recently with a whole new set of officers led by chair Demi Robinson (front, far left) with Penny
Perfecto and Zena Reyes. At the back are Elsie Noakes, Alice Posada, Delfin (Boy) Posada, Bobby Lastica, Dan Elizes and Ben Bongat.
(Photo from Bicol Inc)
A NEW Pinoy group
was formed recently to
promote social cohesion
and friendship among
kababayans to help migrants battle homesickness and isolation.
The ‘Buhay Dalisay
Filipino Australian Association’ was established last January with
Woodcroft resident Julie
Nunez OAM as founding
president.
“One of our goals is
to encourage Filo- Aussie
migrants to explore ways
and means of enriching
their lives and helping
one another to achieve
meaningful and sustainable lifestyle at the same
time preserving the
positive Filipino values
and traditions,” said Ms
Nunez, a multi-awarded civic worker who was
Blacktown Woman of the
Year in 2010.
“An interesting aspiration of this group is assisting migrants by utilising the innovative resources available in their
environment,” she said.
The group is also fo-
cused in encouraging
healthy living practices
by developing activities
to promote a positive
outlook in life.
One of these activities was their group’s recent visit to the Wollongong Botanical Gardens,
a place of natural beauty where people can relax and learn more about
plants and horticulture.
Planned group activities range from guided walks and community workshops that focus on environmental sustainable practices apart from band recitals, theatrical entertainment, and sunset cinema screenings.
This event was organised and coordinated
by Ms Nunez who was a
founding member of the
Philippine Health Care
Association which has
endorsed the group’s activities. The recent visit was sponsored by My
Home Living Care Pty.
Ltd (MHLC) headed by
Ms.Maree Vano, manager.
PCC-NSW BOARD
The new set of Philippine Community Council-NSW Board of Directors headed by Ms. Evelyn Beed (seated in red Filipiniana). Also elected were Alric Bulseco, vice president, external; Roberto Lastica, vice
president, internal; Darrell Swadling, secretary; Noel Bernardo, treasurer; Alex Del Prado, auditor; Jade Cadelina, public relations officer(PRO); directors Mercy Jones, Emily Rudd, Lilian Delos Reyes, Ethel Singson,
Penny Perfecto, Cesar Bartolome, Jojo Laquian. Immediate past president is Jose Relunia Jr. Photo was taken during the organisation's Induction of Officers held at the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney. The
Induction ceremony was headed by Consul Marford Angeles (seated, fourth from left) on March 30. Photo courtesy of Mr. Jade Cadeliña.
MARILIE
BOMEDIANO
is a University of
Santo Tomas BS
Tourism graduate.
She pursued
her studies in
Linguistics and is
fluent in Nihongo,
advance in Deutsch,
Farsi and Turkish.
She is also involved
in a local community
radio program.