RADYO PILIPINO cultural presentation with a difference

By Dr. Reynaldo Dante G. Juanta,  OAM
Adelaide – Australia
September 29, 2015



Adelaide’s Ethnic Radyo Pilipino Incorporated better known as Radyo Pilipino won accolades during its 2015 Fund-Raising Dinner-Dance to help keep the program on air. It presented a creatively choreographed 30-minute Show that featured two cultural segments termed “Evolution of Filipino Costumes” and “Rigodon de Honor”.  The short colorful evening presentation was held on Saturday, 19 September 2015, at The Marche Club, in Paradise, S.A. 

Special guest of honor and speaker for the evening was South Australian Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Zoe Bettison MP.  In her brief remarks, she gave tribute to the pioneering spirit of persons behind the first Filipino language radio program aired in Australia.  Minister Bettison extolled the resilience of Radyo Pilipino and congratulated it for marking this year its 37 years of continuing service to the community in Adelaide, highlighting values of education, current news and information, Filipino language and culture within and outside of the studios of Multicultural Radio 5EBI. 

Other invited special guests were the Mayor of West Torrens City the Hon. John Trainer OAM, also the Mayor of Campbelltown, Mr. Simor Brewer and wife Nina, a member of SA Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission Ms. Gosia Skalban, the Chief of Staff in Ms. Bettison’s office, Mr. Paul Tsoundarou, the Philippine Honorary Consul General Mr. Mark McBriarty and wife Lirio, and a Member of SA Legislative Council, the Hon. Tung Ngo. 

Close to 400 guests filled the hall to capacity.  To the delight of the audience, particularly to many with limited knowledge about the country, segments of Philippine history and its people and some selected scenic spots of the Philippines were shown on a large screen in sequence accompanied with narration.

Participants came out to the stage on cue from the Narrator and did their cultural numbers.  All were dressed up in costumes to depict the times in Philippine history – tribal, pre-Hispanic, Spanish era and contemporary period. Rudina “Nini” Sielaff’s own collection of fashion dresses she herself designed and created put color and splendor to the evening cultural show.

The show was a team effort.  The cast was a good mix of community members residing in various suburbs around Adelaide. Radyo Pilipino executive members, broadcasters and a host of volunteers did it together! 

Radyo Pilipino Executive Members:
·       Celia Guillermo – President
·       Rose Howland – Vice President
·       Juanita Lacar Portman - Secretary
·       Marita Macalalad – Treasurer
·       Executive members
o   Sonny Directo
o   Luzcel Camacho
o   Ester Wenzel

Evolution of Filipino Costumes

Rudina “Nini” Sielaff – Fashion Designer
Lourdes Duenas Blinco – Director
Rose Howland – Master of Ceremonies, Narrator
Juan Paolo Legaspi – Narrator
Jayson Celerio, Rommel Olson - choreographers
Jun Macalalad – sound and light
Darren Smith – Videographer
Francis Faurtorilla, Zeev Cossid – Photographers
Siony Gardiner, Mary Jane Hallam - Wardrobe assistants
Edith Morales Jackel - Hair and Makeup

Evolution of Filipino Costumes Presenters

1.    Abigayle Mamauag

2.    Angelo James Velos

3.    Celeste Mercado

4.    Celina Mercado

5.    Cherry Velos

6.    Chris Velos

7.    Christina Lien

8.    Cielo Mercado

9.    Cynthia Vallejo

10.                    Daniel del Pilar

11.                    Gita Cruz

12.                    Guillaume Leroux

13.                    Hanna Hallam

14.                    Inday Allen

15.                    Isabel Cruz

16.                    Jayson Celerio

17.                    Jessica Cruz

18.                    Jomar Mata

19.                    Jon Scott Nairne

20.                    Joseph Soliven

21.                    Juan Paolo Legaspi

22.                    Justin Reeve Mata

23.                    Lourdes Duenas-Blinco

24.                    Marlou Smith

25.                    Maura Gray

26.                    May Ramirez

27.                    May Soliven

28.                    Maya Razon

29.                    Nica Razon

30.                    Nicolas Juanta

31.                    Nila Thiele

32.                    Norm Rathman

33.                    Rhyni Razon

34.                    Rica Mata

35.                    Rommel Olson

36.                    Rose Demeo

37.                    Sally Seaton

38.                    Teresita Burrell

39.                    Wanika Gordo

 
Rigodon de Honor Performers
Cabeceras or head pairs:
·       Dr Reynaldo and Mrs Corazon Juanta
·       Mr and Mrs Jun and Marita Macalalad
·       Celia Guillermo and Rommel Olson
·       Juan Paolo Legaspi and Christina Lien
Costados (side pairs):
·       Mr and Mrs Louie & Cynthia Vallejo
·       Mrs Violie Leslie and Jayson Celerio
·       Ester Wenzel and Roger Domingo
·       Lourdes Duenas-Blinco and Daniel del Pilar