Generosity for bushfire appeal
PRO – APSL
Photos by Evelyn A. Opilas and Nida Boado
NSW-Australia
December 9, 2019
Seated: Marideth Laquian, Josie Pilao, Blacktown Cr Carol Israel; back: Arnold Melchor, Jojo Laquian, West HQ director James Vargas, Emmanuel Tolentino, APSL president Chris Pilao, West HQ chairman Dennis Dewhurst, MP for Blacktown Stephen Bali.
An impromptu collection for the bushfire appeal at a recent Australia Philippines Services League dinner raised over a thousand dollars in five minutes from generous guests.
The $1055 collected was handed to Cr Carol Israel so Blacktown Council could turn it over to Ku-ring-gai Council, an area identified as severely bushfire-ravaged, on behalf of those present at the APSL dinner.
APSL Team, seated: Evelyn Opilas, Bong Vargas, Nida Boado, Linda Caramancion, Eva Onate; back: MP for Blacktown Steve Bali, Fred Boado, Rey Caramancion, Mike Onate, James Vargas
The dinner at West HQ Rooty Hill was attended by Blacktown area officials, West HQ management, Filipino community leaders, and the APSL team.
APSL president Chris Pilao, who is also West HQ vice-chairman, welcomed the guests to the get-together, while West HQ chairman Dennis Dewhurst spoke about the expansion projects at West HQ, including the new Sydney Coliseum which opens 12 Dec, the new multi-level carpark, and the new Pullman Hotel.
Catching up – APSL’s Nap Estrada, Fred Boado, Tony & Nenita Oliva
State MP for Blacktown Stephen Bali confirmed the various developments in the Blacktown area, including the opening of the Australian Catholic University campus.
Performer Dennis Villahermosa dances with mom, Del.
By then, students will be able to access tertiary education locally, he said.
Mr Bali also confirmed the positive impact of the Filipino community in Blacktown.
Banag-Banag Association, the Christian Bowling Sports Foundation, the Philippine Australia Sports Council, and the Fatima Prayer Group were among the organisations present on the night.
Jessica di Bertolli, Dexter Villahermosa and Emerson Tuazon thrilled the audience with their rendition of operatic, classical and popular musical selections.