Association of Golden Australian Pilipinos, Inc
Text / photos by Evelyn A. Opilas
Blacktown-NSW-Australia
August 31, 2018
True to their theme “Enjoying life,” the Association of Golden Australian Pilipinos Inc (AGAPI) members lived it up during a four-hour fete marking the group’s 14th year 25 August at the Blacktown Workers Club.
Association of Golden Australian Pilipinos Inc (AGAPI) officers led by president Dorothy del Villar (seventh from left) being presented to members and guests, including Leo Onato, Edna Onato, Silveria De Laroya, Sara Dawson, Jesusa Agcaoili, Thelma Danao, Lito De Laroya, Luzpalia Cordoba, Vicky Tinkler, Olimpia Reyes, Jose Herreria, Fred Sentinellar, Nita Sentinellar
AGAPI Ginang 2018 second runner-up Lucinda Clark with escort, AGAPI Ginoo 2018 Aurelio Tupas, AGAPI Ginang 2018 Maria Singh, AGAPI Bulilit Princess 2018 Lily Cooke, AGAPI Bulilit Prince 2018 Nicolas Rasnier, first runner-up Francisca Magsalin, runner-up Romeo Monje, third runner-up Brenda Dela Sala, Robert Dela Sala
Resplendent in colourful gowns, shimmering accessories, and with beaming smiles, the AGAPI team sang, danced and partied, pausing a while to honour the AGAPI 2018 Ginoo, Ginang , and Bulilit Prince and Princess , and to accept kudos from guests Consul Emmanuel Donato Guzman of the Philippine Consulate General Sydney, State Member for Mt Druitt Edmund Atalla, and Councillor Brad Bunting of Blacktown City Council.
The AGAPI Choir with choir master Adelfa Woodforde sang the Australian and Filipino national anthems and the AGAPI Hymn.
“We have this big celebration every two years as a thanksgiving,” said AGAPI president Dorothy del Villar.
Aurelio Tupas got the AGAPI Ginoo 2018 title, while Maria Singh was crowned AGAPI Ginang 2018 .
Nicolas Rasnier and Lily Cooke were named AGAPI Bulilit Prince and Princess 2018 , respectively.
Runners-up were Romeo Monje (AGAPI Ginoo 2018 ); Francisca Magsalin, Lucinda Clark and Brenda Dela Sala, first, second and third (AGAPI Ginang 2018 ), respectively.
AGAPI elders Minerva Paguyo, Estelita Quiaot, and Corazon Salvador graced the event and were presented to an admiring audience who were given a glimpse of their respective lives through gentle questioning from emcee Rod Dingle.
AGAPI elders Corazon Salvador, Estelita Quiaot and Minerva Paguyo with emcee Rod Dingle
Councillor Brad Bunting spoke highly of Filipino presence in the Blacktown City Council area.
In his speech, Councillor Bunting emphasised the valuable contribution of Filipinos to the Blacktown Council area as well as highlighted how the Council makes multi-culturalism work through communication, involvement and integration.Consul Guzman congratulated AGAPI for its milestone, and reminded the seniors of their role as “custodians of Filipino culture”.State Member Edmund Atalla spoke highly of his involvement with AGAPI since its inception in 2004.
AGAPI’s choreographer Thelma Danao won both the raffle grand prize, a $1000 travel voucher, and the $500 second prize.
AGAPI president Dorothy del Villar with guest of honour Consul Emmanuel Donato Guzman
Grand prize winner Thelma Danao (third from left) with emcee Rod Dingle, Barry and Margaret of Guardian Funerals, State Member for Mt Druitt Edmund Atalla and AGAPI president Dorothy del Villar
Cita Castaneda got the $300 third prize, while other raffle winners walked away with gifts such as bottles of wine, packs of steamed pork buns (siopao), and boxes of hand-made soap.
August birthday celebrants Teresita Castaneda, Alfredo Pineda and Rose Caoagdan cut the anniversary-cum-birthday cake with AGAPI president Dorothy del Villar.
AGAPI officers in a well-rehearsed dance number
The choir belted out a medley of songs the guests enjoyed.
Fun galore at AGAPI’s 14th year fete
Blacktown-NSW-Australia
August 31, 2018
True to their theme “Enjoying life,” the Association of Golden Australian Pilipinos Inc (AGAPI) members lived it up during a four-hour fete marking the group’s 14th year 25 August at the Blacktown Workers Club.
Association of Golden Australian Pilipinos Inc (AGAPI) officers led by president Dorothy del Villar (seventh from left) being presented to members and guests, including Leo Onato, Edna Onato, Silveria De Laroya, Sara Dawson, Jesusa Agcaoili, Thelma Danao, Lito De Laroya, Luzpalia Cordoba, Vicky Tinkler, Olimpia Reyes, Jose Herreria, Fred Sentinellar, Nita Sentinellar
AGAPI Ginang 2018 second runner-up Lucinda Clark with escort, AGAPI Ginoo 2018 Aurelio Tupas, AGAPI Ginang 2018 Maria Singh, AGAPI Bulilit Princess 2018 Lily Cooke, AGAPI Bulilit Prince 2018 Nicolas Rasnier, first runner-up Francisca Magsalin, runner-up Romeo Monje, third runner-up Brenda Dela Sala, Robert Dela Sala
Resplendent in colourful gowns, shimmering accessories, and with beaming smiles, the AGAPI team sang, danced and partied, pausing a while to honour the AGAPI 2018 Ginoo, Ginang , and Bulilit Prince and Princess , and to accept kudos from guests Consul Emmanuel Donato Guzman of the Philippine Consulate General Sydney, State Member for Mt Druitt Edmund Atalla, and Councillor Brad Bunting of Blacktown City Council.
The AGAPI Choir with choir master Adelfa Woodforde sang the Australian and Filipino national anthems and the AGAPI Hymn.
“We have this big celebration every two years as a thanksgiving,” said AGAPI president Dorothy del Villar.
Aurelio Tupas got the AGAPI Ginoo 2018 title, while Maria Singh was crowned AGAPI Ginang 2018 .
Nicolas Rasnier and Lily Cooke were named AGAPI Bulilit Prince and Princess 2018 , respectively.
Runners-up were Romeo Monje (AGAPI Ginoo 2018 ); Francisca Magsalin, Lucinda Clark and Brenda Dela Sala, first, second and third (AGAPI Ginang 2018 ), respectively.
AGAPI elders Minerva Paguyo, Estelita Quiaot, and Corazon Salvador graced the event and were presented to an admiring audience who were given a glimpse of their respective lives through gentle questioning from emcee Rod Dingle.
AGAPI elders Corazon Salvador, Estelita Quiaot and Minerva Paguyo with emcee Rod Dingle
Councillor Brad Bunting spoke highly of Filipino presence in the Blacktown City Council area.
AGAPI’s choreographer Thelma Danao won both the raffle grand prize, a $1000 travel voucher, and the $500 second prize.
AGAPI president Dorothy del Villar with guest of honour Consul Emmanuel Donato Guzman
Grand prize winner Thelma Danao (third from left) with emcee Rod Dingle, Barry and Margaret of Guardian Funerals, State Member for Mt Druitt Edmund Atalla and AGAPI president Dorothy del Villar
Cita Castaneda got the $300 third prize, while other raffle winners walked away with gifts such as bottles of wine, packs of steamed pork buns (siopao), and boxes of hand-made soap.
August birthday celebrants Teresita Castaneda, Alfredo Pineda and Rose Caoagdan cut the anniversary-cum-birthday cake with AGAPI president Dorothy del Villar.
AGAPI officers in a well-rehearsed dance number
The choir belted out a medley of songs the guests enjoyed.