One march at a time for APSL on ANZAC Day

 
By Evelyn A. Opilas
Rooty Hill-NSW-Australia
April 12, 2019
 


“The time will come when we will be taking our participation at the ANZAC Day march one at a time,” Col. (ret) Chris Pilao reminded the gathered members of the Australia Philippines Services League (APSL) during a planning meeting 6 April at West HQ, Rooty Hill, musing that World War II veterans seem to be disappearing from the march, and at some point, those who have served in subsequent areas of conflict such as the Korean War.



“We will need to consider our physical condition, whether our knees can still cope with walking the two kilometres to complete the march, and until then, we carry on,” the APSL supreme commander encouraged his team.

 ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the landing of troops on Gallipoli peninsula Turkey 25 April 1915 during World War I.The first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces, 60,000 Australians fought in Gallipoli, with over 7,500 killed.Australia remembers the event annually with marches all over the country.

The APSL contingent joined the ANZAC Day march in the Sydney central business district almost 20 years ago under the aegis of the Rooty Hill RSL, diligently participating in the activity rain or shine.

APSL members have looked forward to the annual march, proudly waving the Philippine flag and walking shoulder-to-shoulder with the Allied Forces contingent.

The group comprises men and women who served and who are serving with the Philippines’ Armed Forces, and descendants of World War II veterans.

 Mr Pilao and James Vargas were elected to the Rooty Hill RSL Board, with Mr Pilao voted in as vice-chairman unopposed, in 2018.Meanwhile, Mr Pilao participated 31 March in the inaugural NAB Run-West, western Sydney’s first major running festival, finishing in one hour 40 minutes from an overall allocated time of two hours 20 minutes over 12kms.Runners wound through Sydney Zoo, the Sydney Motorsport Park, the Western Sydney Parklands, and the Blacktown International Sports Park, the fastest completing the course in 36 minutes and 20 seconds, according to Mr. Pilao.

“Not bad for a 77-year old,” he proudly beams as he shows APSL members the running fest medal given to those who finished the race.

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APSL to hold flag raising rites in Blacktown

By Evelyn A. Opilas

Blacktown-NSW-Australia

April 12, 2019

 The Australia Philippines Services League (APSL) holds the traditional Philippine Independence Day flag raising rites at the Blacktown Village Green 10:30am Saturday, 8 June, a Blacktown Council-supported event for over 15 years.APSL Supreme Commander Chris Pilao has asked participants to arrive early to enable the ceremony to start on time.“We follow military time during important occasions such as the flag raising ceremony to mark Philippine Independence Day,” said the APSL head.

The Philippines marks 121 years since then president of the Philippine Republic General Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence of the Philippines from the colonial rule of Spain 12 June 1898, for the first time raising the Philippine flag to the tune of Lupang Hinirang in Kawit, Cavite.

Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herboza made the first Philippine flag in Hong Kong, while the now national anthem was composed by Julián Felipe and played by the San Francisco de Malabon marching band then.

According to Wikipedia, “The Act of the Declaration of Independence was prepared, written, and read by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista in Spanish. The Declaration was signed by 98 people, among them a United States Army officer who witnessed the proclamation….”

Light snacks, courtesy of Blacktown City Council, will follow the flag raising ceremony.

APSL comprises men and women who served and who are serving with the Philippines’ Armed Forces, and descendants of World War II veterans.