The Philippine Community Council of NSW (PCC_NSW) held its annual general meeting last Saturday, 11 February 2012 at Blacktown Showground.

In a much anticipated election, Arturo “Atoy” Sayas clinched the Presidential seat.  Other officers elected included:

• Vice President External - Alric Bulseco
• Vice President Internal - Emma de Vera
• Secretary - Raquel Pellero
• Treasurer - Millie Banan
• PRO - Marco Selorio
• Auditor - Mao de Vera

Other Directors include: Solina Lapalma, Mercy Jones, Angie Jenkins, Nenita Weekes, Daryl Swadling and Robert Bock.  Immediate Past President - Marivic Manalo.

Only the presidential seat was voted on and the rest of the board members won unopposed as no other nominations handed in.  Sayas won with a clear lead against other presidential candidate, Serna Ladia, 29-20.  Returning officer was past president, Ms. Malyn chun-Andres.

Mr. Sayas accepted the challenge and pledged his commitment and dedication to the community.  “I also hope to harness the strengths of the affiliates.” he said.  Mr. Sayas was first elected to PCC-NSW in 1999.

Interesting was the return to PCC of Ms. Emma de Vera as well as Raquel Pellero both of whom had swung to the break-away group for awhile. They’re back and we’ll be watching!

The PCC-NSW was established in 1990.

Everyone is welcome to cheer the Philippine team on. 

Photo below are the players from Sydney: (L-R) Fred Arquiza, Glenn Maxx Power, Thamer Wilczynski, Mark de Ubago (Asst. Coach), Scott Sandaga and Matt Bedford. Kneeling (L_R) Graem Stevens, Ronnie Peña,  Junior Carlos Aloda, Ned Rush Stephenson, and Jason Blake Bedford.

Behind the team:

The Marikina Association of Sydney Australia held their party on 26 December at Quakers Hill Community Hall. Sandwiched between Christmas and New Year, it was a get-together for all those from Marikina and friends, along with a few special guests.

But one thing is for certain.  MASA knows their music.  While other groups installed sound systems, MASA had nothing less than half of the M7 Band (half is still better as the others were on holidays).  It definitely set the mood and defined the event in between the yells of “B-I-N-G-O.”   Lots of prizes and gastronomical delights, more than enough to feast on and even have for ”take home”.

Maharlika Riders Safe Ride to the Season

In another scene, The Maharlika Riders slipped off their black leather gear and took time off their bikes to enjoy the season in a cozy home atmosphere.  But the spirit was alive and loud as they sang carols with Jack.

Maharlika Riders is a group of bike enthusiasts with chapters here in Australia and in the Philippines.

As always, and as Don Arizala, Chairman of Maharlika Riders says: “Our message is simple.  Enjoy the ride, but keep safe.”

In the coming year, you may be invited or sold a ticket to any of over a hundred different functions or events happening for whatever reason.  Some may be simple get-togethers, some will be genuinely in the name of charity, some will flame our patriotic senses but some will definitely be for profit and some will be for profit disguised as charity. 

Organisers will go on overdrive as they scamper around in search of a venue, check menus, invite guests, peddle tickets and plan their outfits for that ‘beso-beso’ event.  But at the core of each of these functions will be the artists and entertainers, the most essential ingredients of any event and yet the most taken for granted.  

These special breed are usually last on the list of things to do and it is usually a case of gratis et amore. The head hunters on the prowl are good at spotting talent and the proverbial ‘pakis’ (favor) come into play. They’ll go around the bend …and again, the ‘kakilala system’ will prevail.  Name a price and they’re rocked out of their wits with comments like:  “What…may bayad?  Ay naku, walang budget eh.  Discount naman.”  (What there’s payment? No budget.  Discount please!) And yet people will not blink at a solicitor’s price of over a hundred dollars to produce a power of attorney which simply fit into a template and would take less than half an hour to draft. 

As the battle ensues for who sits where, title holders are given the best seats in the house of course while those who worked their butts on and off the stage are relegated somewhere in the shadows.  Let’s not forget that they probably had to struggle for a ticket too.

The ultimate goal is to scrimp and save every which way they can and eradicate quality.  What quality and I guess it depends on whose definition of quality? After all the bigger the amount they are able to collect and hand over to whoever, means the better they look.  The credit goes to the organizers at the end while the artists and entertainers slip into oblivion until summoned the next time around.

The community has a way of ignoring the creative and the talented – the writers, designers, artists, singers, dancers and all those on and off the stage who help put the pizzazz in any event. And by that I mean the real creative and the genuine talent.  And in this regard. extreme caution is a must, for there are pretenders in our midst who master the art of faking it and aren’t worth our ten cents but manage to rope in an audience.

No one takes into consideration the amount of discipline and countless hours of training the gifted have had to pour in for years to perfect a move, hit a note and master their craft and let’s not forget the parents’ tuition.  Neither do people realize the hours of practice prior to every performance nor the courage that these people have in weathering the ups and downs of an ever fickle industry.

Rather than nurturing the real creative and talented, they are used and exploited for someone else’s gain. 

Worst is the inability to differentiate between the good, the bad, and the ugly – excellent and mediocrity– the professional and the novice - which is by far the most insulting.  This also means that the community is deprived of the real talent for sooner or later, the good ones slip away into greener pastures leaving us once again with the wannabes.

So will those with real talent please stand up and take a bow.  You absolutely deserve it!

May I take this opportunity to greet all my readers a happy new year. It’s the year of the dragon – Roar!   

The Filipino community in Sydney were together once again in tragedy and has rallied to assist the victims of typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao which has left 3,000 dead and more than 20,000 people homeless.

Already, more than A$22,000 in donations have poured in and have been remitted via various organizations as well as 219 boxes of goods have been collected and dispatched.

The Philippine Community Council of NSW (PCC-NSW) the peak organization in Sydney remitted A$7,166 through Rotary Club Philippines .  The total amount handed over included donations from PCC’s PADER program funds ($4,500) ; Hot Mamaz ($900); Rotary of Blacktown ($300) and individuals.

The Filipino Australian Movement for Empowerment (FAME) has donated $1,000 and the Marikina Association of Sydney Australia (MASA) raked in $540.00 in donations.  Banag-Banag sent $280.00 each to  CDO and to Samahang Magdalo; Iliganos donated A$500.00 and Kristohanong Katilingban sent A$2,000.

Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities were most affected when Sendong wreaked havoc leaving towns and cities completely devastated. Venus Priest of Iligan had as many as 14 of her relatives washed away.

A total of 219 boxes of the much-needed goods were collected and dispatched via LBC. Donations of goods were also sent: Iliganon & Lanaonon in Sydney Australia (ILISA) sent 56 boxes to NHT and 10 boxes to MSU and IIT);  60 boxes through Enrico Lluch; Tapok Kagay-anon Sydney sent 39 boxes; Railcorp Sydney & Friends  sent 29 boxes to Xavier University and Palulang Elementary School;  Filipino Club Australia (15 boxes); Visayan Association (10 boxes) and Ave Maria Choir r of Brighton. 

Philippine Consul General Anne Jalondo-on Louis gathered the community for prayers and a mass for the victims last 27 December at the Philippine Consulate Sydney.

The PCC-NSW  has also spearheaded a Charity Concert dubbed as “Bukas Palad Appeal” scheduled for  1:00pm on Sunday, 5 February 2012 at Bowman Hall, Blacktown.  Headed by showbiz veterans Lillian de los Reyes and Rod Dingle the concert will also include a string of musicians and entertainers who have pledged to lend their talents for the cause.

Tickets to the charity concert are at $15.00 and proceeds will go towards the rehabilitation of the Sendong victims. For more information contact: Marivic on 0402 354 853; Millie on 0403 021 358; or Sol on 0422 451 642.

There’s a new sports team in town and they’re not dribbling the ball but instead they’ll be kicking the ball.

Moving away from the Filipinos’ favourite sport of basketball, the Philippine Rugby League Team has just been formed and will be representing the Philippines officially.   Already a Rugby League board has been established in the Philippines inching its way into Philippine sport.

All of the team players selected reside in Australia and are of Filipino ancestry, either Philippine-born or one parent is Filipino.  Some have had no contact with the Filipino community here in Australia but now relish the idea to represent the Philippines in an Australian sporting event.

The newly formed rugby league team will be known as the Philippine Carabaos and will be led by head coach Clayton Watene of Queensland.

The Philippines Carabaos Men’s Team will include: Jason Bedford (NSW), Matthew Bedford (NSW), Rene Payne (QLD), Brian West (QLD), Rez Philips (QLD), Luke Srama (QLD), Fred Collina (NSW), Ned Stephenson (NSW),  Jake Smith (NSW),  Mark Lozano (QLD),  Steven Bernstrom (QLD), Richard Goodwin (NSW), Will Corning (NSW), Ronald Pena (NSW), Graeme Stevens (NSW), Scott Sandaga (NSW), and Greg Power (NSW).

 Support staff will include Mark de Ubago, Asst. Coach, Greg Cross of  NSW,  Team Manager, Marvin Pace QLD Team Runner and Michael Holt NSW, Media Liaison Officer. The squad’s first appearance will be at the Rugby League International 9’s Tournament, a one-day rugby league tournament with 17 countries  which will be held on Saturday, 4 February 2012 at New Era Stadium,  Cabramatta.  The boys will show how tough they are competing against other countries.

  “We encourage Filipino supporters to come down and cheer the team on.  Support would be greatly appreciated.” said Coach Clayton Watene. 

 “This is our first step for the Philippines Rugby League National Team to be credible for any future events. We are really excited at the opportunity to represent the Philippines.” he adds.

Everyone is welcome to cheer them on. Kick off time is at 9.30am Saturday, 4 February. Entry is $5.00.  Children are free.

 Follow the Philippine Rugby League Team on facebook.

Typhoon Sendong (Washi) hit the Northeastern Mindanao region destroying everything in its path and left a trail of devastation behind. Over 453 people have been found dead, hundreds are still missing and more than 20,000 people have been displaced and have found refuge in make-shift shelters in evacuation centres.

 Surrounded by mountains, Cagayan de Oro is not normally prone to typhoons and residents have felt safe.  However, the torrential rains caused the sudden rise of the Cagayan de Oro river resulted to flash flooding at around 2.30 in the morning when most people were asleep.  In addition to the deluge of rain and rising waters are the mudslides.

The torrents washed out towns of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Bukidnon and Davao.  Most affected were the areas of Barangays Puntod, Macabalan, Lapasan, villages within the downtown area, and Vamenta Subdivision in Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental, as well as Isla de Oro, Cala-Cala and Barangays Consolacion, Macasandig, Kauswagan, Carmen, Canitoan, Iponan, and Balulang.

Towns are still without water and electricity and emergency relief centres have been set for the flood victims. The military have also been called in to assist in the clean up

The Philippines lies in the typhoon belt and usually survives six to ten typhoons a year. 

 http://youtu.be/Xuf5h1tscB4

Well into the season of Christmas parties, it was Mapua’s turn to celebrate Christmas with their co-alumni, families and friends.  The Hungarian Club at Glendenning was set for Christmas cheer last Saturday, 3 December with folks dressed in reds and greens.  Special guest was Consul General Anne Jalondo-on Louis.

Packed with the joyful spirit, there was lots of food to share around, songs to sing and games to liven up the child in us all. A special tribute to their alma mater took you back to the glory days of Intramuros and one by one the alumni revealed their year of departure.

Mapua has always been known for churning out exceptional graduates in Engineering and Architecture and continues to be a leading educational institution in the Philippines. 

It was also announced to hold World Mapua 2015 here in Sydney, a gathering of the Cardinals from around the world.

The news of the death of RJ Rosales spread faster than wildfire in cyberspace and the over pouring of grief from a community in disbelief has been heart wrenching to say the least.

RJ passed away at the prime of his life, at age 37 on Monday, 5 December 2011 at approximately 11:30am.

RJ Rosales was one of the community’s beloved sons. He sang and performed at community functions during his teens while still at university studying for a Maths degree which later landed him a job in the bank.

However, with his talent, versatility and good looks, it was inevitable not to have been lured into the entertainment world and the community watched with pride as he shot straight to stardom. 

He juggled stage engagements, concerts and recordings between Australia, Philippines and Singapore.

He evolved to become a pop idol in the Philippines appearing as one of ABS-CBN’s mainstays in shows like ASAP and performing in various night spots throughout Metro Manila.

Singapore was just as kind to him as he dazzled on their centre stages winning acclaim for various stage roles. He had just completed a stint in Beauty and the Beast in Singapore. 

But he made his mark on stage when he landed the role of “Thuy” and “The Engineer” in the Broadway production of Miss Saigon in 2007 which earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Helpmann Awards (the Australian equivalent of Broadway’s Tony Awards.)

Twice he stepped into the role of our hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.  First in 1998, still in his teens, he played Rizal in “Sisa” at Parramatta Riverside Theatre for the Philippines Centennial Celebrations.  And last year he played Rizal again in Oroso-Goquingco’s theatre masterpiece, “Her Son, Jose Rizal” at the Tom Mann Theatre, Sydney.  He also delighted the audience as the guest entertainer at the Philippine Community Council’s 2010 Philippine National Day Ball.

A grieving community is still coming to grips with his sudden tragic demise. In the various roles he played: singer, actor, thespian, recording artist, he will best be remembered for his roles as a son, brother, nephew and friend; a charismatic individual who remained grounded and humble despite the ever flickering and fickle showbiz glare.

Sadly, his final role has ended and he drew the final curtains.

RJ Rosales, here today, gone tomorrow.  Heaven robbed us of a true talent.

Our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Rosales family.

Funeral Arrangements:

The Wake:

Friday, 9 December from 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Guardian Funeral Home
Corner Sunnyholt Road and First Avenue, Blacktown

Interment:

Requiem Mass:

Saturday, 10 December at 10:30am

Blessed John XXIII,

Perfection Avenue, Stanhope Gardens
 
Burial to follow at Pine Grove Memorial Park, Minchinbury.

Guarin is a father of four and a fine arts graduate from the University of the Philippines is determined to finish the global run to bring pride and honour to the Filipino.  “The Filipino is worth running for,” says Guarin. 

Trekking around the globe, he will be the first Filipino to accomplish such feat and will be the fourth recognised global runner.  To date, only three have been recognised: Robert Garside (Great Britain), Rosie Swale-Pope (Switzerland) and Jasper Olsen (Denmark).

The global run is divided into 12 stages and Guarin is now on the 4th stage. He has finished  his run throughout the Philippines, Canada and the USA.  Upon completion of the Australian phase, he will then tackle the 5th stage of the global run in February 2012 battling the sweltering heat and terrain in the Middle East and then readies himself for London-Norway Run.   For each target detination, he runs for 8 hours daily between 30 to 90 days, covering thousands of kilometres.

Wherever he runs, he is greeted by a group of Filipino well-wishers.  For his Sydney stop at Olympic Park, Homebush, he was greeted by  members of the Philippine Community Council of NSW and FAME along with other community leaders, friends and the Philippine Consul General Anne Jalondo-on Louis.

Guarin’s journey is the Filipino migrant’s journey met with trials and tribulations along the way.  It’ll be a test of human endurance and courage.  Guarin undoubtedly has the qualities needed to run to the end which is targeted for 2015.

Tied in to his global run challenge is Guarin’s ”Child’s First Step Initiative”, an advocacy project to help raise awareness for children strickened with poverty in the Philippines.

“I don’t see myself stopping from running because I enjoy the meditative part of it.” says Guarin.  “So kahit may edad na tayo, I believe I will still run,” he adds.

And when he has completed the ultra marathon challenge of his life, it will not only be a personal triumph but a triumph for all Filipinos.

Photo below show the Cesar Guarin and community well-wishers at Oplympic Park, Homebush.