Press Release

APSL marks 12 June with musical extravaganza

 
By Evelyn A. Opilas, PRO APSL
NSW-Australia
May 26, 2021
 




The Australia Philippines Services League (APSL) will mark June 12 with a dinner show at West HQ Rooty Hill, hosting a major community event for over 300 guests post NSW lockdown, and observing safety measures in place.

Celebrated among Filipino communities worldwide, June 12 marks the Philippines’ Independence Day, or Araw ng Kalayaan in the Filipino language.



APSL president Col. Cresencio Pilao (Ret) said that since APSL activities were put on hold during the pandemic, celebrating the 123rd Philippine Independence Day in spectacular fashion pays tribute to the community’s resilience following the sudden change in their circumstances due to COVID-19.

“We think of coming days; circumstances can only get better, especially as individuals are being vaccinated,” Col. Pilao said.

Stage performer Dexter Villahermosa leads the line-up of talented entertainers and their much-loved repertoire of classical and popular music.

June 12 highlights the moment when then Philippine President General Emilio Aguinaldo raised the Philippine flag for the first time from the balcony of his home in Kawit, Cavite and declared independence of the Philippines from Spanish rule in 1898.

For Filipino-Australians, 2021 also marks 75 years of Australia-Philippines diplomatic ties, forged on 22 May 1946.

APSL, which comprises former Philippine armed forces staff and descendants of WWII veterans who call Australia home, joins three main events during the year – the ANZAC Day March on 25 April, the 12 June Philippine Independence Day flag rites at Blacktown, and the 11 November Remembrance Day ceremonies.

On ANZAC Day, APSL marches shoulder to shoulder with Australian troops and those of other nations along the streets of Sydney, rain or shine, under the aegis of Rooty Hill RSL.

The event was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. In 2021, APSL members deferred participation, in spite of eased lockdown measures in New South Wales.

The Blacktown City Council-sponsored Philippine Independence Day flag raising rites at Blacktown had been an ongoing APSL activity for 15 years up to 2019. It was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, and will be in 2021.

Remembrance Day marks the 11th hour; of the 11th day; in the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice Agreement was signed, ending the First World War. On this day, APSL salutes the men and women in uniform who have served – or currently serve – in various areas of conflict, many of whom have died – or whose lives have been on the line – in defence of freedom.

Many Filipinos have been at the forefront of valour, service and bravery after the Philippine Revolution of 1898.

For example, when America became involved in WWI, males from the Philippines working “as sakadas (contract workers) in the Hawaiian sugar, pineapple plantations and other industries were … required to register in the U.S. military drafts of June 5, 1917, June 5, 1918 and September 12, 1918,” said website filipinos-ww1usmilitaryservice.tripod.com.

 At the time, the Philippines was a territory of the Unites States of America, the US having won the Spanish-American War in 1898, resulting in the Philippines, then a colony of Spain, to be ceded to America under the Treaty of Paris for US$20 million.“Meanwhile, Pilipino soldiers from the Philippines were sent to the European war theatres by the U.S. Armed Forces. In 1918, Tomas Mateo Claudio, Cpl USMC AEF, and a Morong, Rizal native, died in Chateau Thierry, France in the Battle of Belleau Wood, that became legendary, not only for the heavy number of casualties, but also for the Marines’ courage under fire,” the website added.

Philippine troops have also participated in UN-led missions to uphold/maintain peace in conflict zones, including Korea (combat troops), Vietnam, the Congo, Burundi, Cambodia, Darfur, Kosovo, Liberia, Sudan, Syria and Timor-Leste.