Updates:Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations Inc.

APCO supports PACF’s Multi-purpose Centre

By Richard J Ford (PRO for APCO Inc.)
Sydney-NSW-Australia
September 20, 2015



The Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations Inc (APCO) came out strongly in support of the move to transfer the Multipurpose Centre site to a more accessible, affordable and developed venue. In various mode of community consultation, the public reactions were in favour of the decision of the PACF Board of Directors to sell the Schofields debt-ridden lot that is not zoned for community social functions.

The public also approved that proceeds of this sale goes directly to purchase a developed property in Forge Street, Blacktown. APCO shares the hope that at last the Filipino-Australian community of Greater Sydney will finally have a big community facility it can call “home”.

At the thanksgiving mass and lunch held last Saturday, 12 September to mark the last gathering of the community in the Schofields site and a celebration of the 77^th birthday of Fr. Renato Paras, Filipino Parish priest emeritus, APCO assisted by Albert Prias and Charles Chan of FLAGCOM, organised the cultural presentation featuring among others, Brian Lorenz, Marcus Rivera, Linda Trinidad, Lilian de los Reyes,

Annie Marquez, Christopher Booth, Elisa Villareal, Chantelle Torres,  Mindanao Ethnic Dancers, Bathurst Dance Group and Visayan Association of Australia dancers.

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Pinoy halo-halo at Flavours of Auburn

By Richard J Ford (PRO for APCO Inc.)
NSW-Australia

The Filipino-Australian community will again be represented at the annual multicultural traditional food and culture sharing festival held yearly at the Auburn Centre for the Community at Macquarie Street, Auburn.  Started five  years ago by the then fledging Auburn  Small Community Organisation Network  and Auburn City Council, Flavours of Auburn has expanded in popularity and width. Food tourism tour and food book publishing have been added to the mix to make it among Auburn City’s biggest crowd drawer.

What makes Flavours of Auburn unique and socially popular is that the various traditional food on offer are not usually sold in restaurants. But comes from many parts of the world where Auburn residents migrated and are prepared and shared by members of ASCON who harmoniously and inclusively plan and organise the day’s activities. 

So on Saturday 31 October, APCO will operate a stall to sell various Philippine fruit flavoured halo-halo with a selection of a variety of toppings. It will also present a cultural number from its big arsenal of musical and cultural artists. APCO and Kapit-bahayan Cooperative Ltd (KCL) are founding members of ASCON and Ruben Amores was the founding Chairman and was recently returned as chair while Dr Cen Amores is the Public Officer.   

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APCO to hone leadership values and skills

By Richard J Ford (PRO for APCO Inc.)
NSW-Australia

In pursuit of building a good supply of socially and developmentally-oriented leaders and organisations, the Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations Inc (APCO) will be training 15-20 dedicated and up and coming Filipino and other ethnic community leaders early next year in Auburn LGA.

Generously funded by Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic ClubGrants and supported by the Auburn City Council, APCO’s free community leadership training, Managing for Organisational Excellence, will endeavour to improve community/social values and democratic leadership skills through the practical application of organisational and managerial theories and principles. After-hour classes will be held at the new Berala Community Centre with its very modern educational facilities while practicum exercises and observation tours will be held at different project sites and community facilities on weekends. 

Organised only five years ago as a better alternative state umbrella organisation from the usual ego-laden ones, APCO has accomplished many very significant projects and activities that directly benefits the Filipino-Australian and CALD communities that mainstream organisations and government agencies are now partnering with APCO for projects. 

APCO is also strongly promoting and fostering the best image of the Filipinos wherever they are abroad. It has been consistent in delivering high quality community services because it attracts the best talents of the community to contribute their cultural and technical skills pro bono. In return, the public has bestowed APCO and its leaders with numerous prestigious awards and recognitions.