Filipino-Australian Community Association, Eastern Sydney (FACAES) Induction of Officers for 2014-2016 & Father’s Day Celebration

By:Francis (Boy) de los Santos
Past President and Incumbent Secretary (FACAES)
Sydney-Australia
October 1, 2014



The first ever Filipino Community Association in the Randwick-Maroubra area the Filipino-Australian Community Association, Eastern Sydney (FACAES), recently held its Induction Ceremony for their newly elected officers for 2014-2016 term of office and also celebrated Father’s Day on Saturday, 06 September 2014 at Kensington, NSW.   The guest speaker and inducting officer for that special event was the Consul General of the Philippine Consulate, Sydney Anne Jalando-on Louis.  The newly elected officers who were inducted to serve for the 2014-2016 term of office are Mrs. Eufrosina (Precy) Santos, President, Mr. Rhoderic (Rod) Soriano, Vice President, Mr. Francis (Boy) de los Santos, Secretary, Mr. Edison Tomas, Auditor, Mr. Rogelio (Ogie) Santos, Business Manager, Mrs. Charmaine Tomas, Business Manager,  and Ms. Nikki Garcia (PRO).  Other elected officers not included in the photo are Diana Orozco (Treasurer), Bong Fernandez (Business Manager), Jojo Padolina and Adrian Salva (PROs), Dolly Borbe, Lee Meekan and Lillian de los Reyes (Advisers),  Roque Molavin (Security Coordinator), Lani Manansala (Events Coordinator).

In his welcome remarks, newly elected FACAES Auditor, Mr. Edison Tomas thanked everyone who came and joined the double celebrations.  He also welcomed and acknowledged the presence of the Honourable Anne Jalando-on Louis, Consul General of the Philippine Consulate, Sydney, a first time special guest in a FACAES organized event.  The Induction of FACAES officers coincided with the Father’s Day Celebration honouring and paying tribute to all fathers around the world.   As an added spice to the annual celebration, a special award and recognition was presented to the ‘Father of  Night’.  Adjudged winner was Mr. Hero Zernas who received a trophy and a bottle of wine from Mrs. Precy Santos and Mr. Boy de los Santos.   In addition, a special dance number performed by all fathers present that night dancing with their daughters playing to the tune of Luther Van dross’s ‘Dance with my Father’.   It was also a defining moment for the daughters (and wives too) who delivered special heart-warming Father’s Day messages to their dads/husbands simply touching the audience hearts too.  

On her speech Consul General Ann Jalando-on Louis thanked FACAES for inviting her to grace the occasion and admitted it was her first time to attend a FACAES event.  Congen Anne also reminded attendees who have dual citizenships to register for the Absentee Voting for the 2016 Presidential Election.  She advised those concerned to get in touch with either Mrs. Precy Santos or Mr. Boy de los Santos for assistance on how to contact the Philippine Consulate, Sydney to ask for more details in regards to Absentee Voting requirements/procedures including accessibility to the Philippine Consulate, Sydney website.    Congen Anne also reiterated the importance of preserving the rich Filipino cultural heritage, customs and traditions to the 3^rd Generation Filipino-Australians who have less or limited knowledge and background of their parent’s home country.  She further added that Filipino families who are able to bring their young children to any Filipino community event is a good start towards keeping the genuine awareness of the Philippine’s background/history. 

As part of Filipino culture and tradition, the celebration was not complete without an added entertainment numbers.  Guest performers showcased their talents and skills in singing and dancing that drew cheers and praises from the audience.  Special guest performers who rendered popular song numbers and made the audience rose to their feet included the tandem of Mr. Ruben Passion and Ms. Henna Perez, upcoming singers such as Ms. Bella Johnstone and Ms. Gabby Escubio made head turns while  Ms. Desa Santos (youngest daughter of Precy and Ogie Santos and a regular singer/performer in various Filipino community events/celebrations) was down-to-earth in her solo performance.  Also providing her unique dancing skills was teener Charis Tomas (daughter of Edison and Charmaine Tomas) who captivated the crowd with her elegance and poise.  On his closing remarks, FACAES Vice President, Mr. Rod Soriano promised to continue the association’s advocacy to promote the rich Filipino culture, including the unique customs and traditions as well as propagating the Filipino Bayanihan Spirit not only among the Randwick-Maroubra community but also around Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.  Rod also thanked everyone who voted the new set of officers who will serve the community for another 2 years.   Supporting and completing the entire programme of activities that night are Desa and Gabby Escubio who acted as emcees and Boy de los Santos who led the prayer/invocation and the introduction of Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis as the special guest of speaker of the event and inducting officer of the newly elected FACAES officers.