Celebrating 33^rd year of the Philippine Fiesta of Victoria (Australia) on November 28-29-2015

By: Manny G. Asuncion
Photo credits: Adrian Prophet, Hector Calara and Rolly Ferrer.
Melbourne, Australia
June 14, 2015



“Moving on”: byword of the Philippine Fiesta  2015 

The Philippine Fiesta of Victoria has been celebrated for the past 32 years without a break.  It has become a show - window  of the Filipino culture and traditions,  not only to the Filipino Community in Victoria but  to the Australian-multicultural society as well. Most importantly, the Fiesta becomes an effective venue for family reunion, meeting old friends and acquaintances and promotion of business initiatives.



This year’s Fiesta PAGSULONG SA MAUNLAD NA KINABUKASAN ( Moving on to a  Progressive Future)  underscores the essentiality of moving forward to achieve  growth, progress and development not only in the present but most importantly in the future.

The current Philippine Fiesta management committee believes  that any  organization,  in order to progress and develop, has to grow with the times. Further, It has to  find new ways and means  to improve its operations and cater to the needs of its members and to the community’s welfare in general.
Fractious relationships, counter-productive  attitudes, negative thoughts and pride have to be abandoned to pave the way for amicable relations and smooth performances.
During its 32 years of existence, Fiesta has evolved from a small scale-festivity to a bigger festival and has become the much-awaited event on the Filipino-Australian calendar. 

Its location has been moved to different venues to accommodate its current needs and the  growing attendees and  the looking forward to a new Philippine Community Centre to be built in Laverton by 2017.
This year, the Philippine Fiesta will be held in a much bigger and better venue, the historic Royal Exhibition Building , which is within the heart of the city, along Nicholson Street, Victoria.  It is accessible to public transport and parking areas.

In line with the Philippine Fiesta,  is the holding of a two-day Australian–Philippine Business and Investment Expo which aims to promote trade, business and investment opportunities between Australia and the Philippines .
This enterprising venture is in  initiated by the Australian Philippine Business Council (APBC) in cooperation with the Philippine Fiesta of Victoria, and with the support of the  Philippine Consulate of Victoria.

Apart from showcasing businesses engaged in Australia and the Philippines, it is hoped that the expo will expose Australian businesses to Filipino culture and encourage more  non-Filipinos to be involved in the Fiesta.

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Note: Images are from PFVI archive from previous celebrations of Philippine Fiesta of Victoria,  Melbourne-Australia, courtesy of Adrian Prophet, Hector Calara and Rolly Ferrer.