Filipino-Australian Community Association-Eastern Sydney

EASTERN SYDNEY MAYOR ATTENDS A FILIPINO-AUSTRALIAN GROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY

By  Francis de los Santos
Past President and currently FACAES Adviser/Consultant
Kensington-NSW Australia
December 16, 2015



The Filipino-Australian Community Association, Eastern Sydney (FACAES) celebrated their annual Christmas and Family Get-Together Party last Saturday, 05 December 2015 at the Masonic Centre, Kensington, NSW.

 Special guests who were invited to grace the occasion included Consul Marford Angeles of the Philippine Consulate in Sydney and the Honourable Mayor of Randwick Councillor Noel D’Souza.  FACAES President Mrs. Precy Santos and her fellow officers warmly welcomed both guests, specifically the Honourable Mayor of Randwick, who, for the first time, attended such a Filipino event.

Precy also thanked the officers and members of FACAES including their families, for their continued help and support to this annual Christmas Party and family gathering of this first ever  Filipino-Australian community association in the Randwick-Maroubra area.

In his speech, Consul Angeles extended to FACAES warmest Christmas greetings from the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney headed by Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis.  He noted that the FACAES event highlights Filipino values such as the importance of family, as well as religiosity.  Having attended several of the association’s events  during the last few years, Consul Marford thanked the association  for  considering  him as part of FACAES family.  He also extended appreciation  and thanked FACAES for its contributions to the community not only in the Eastern Suburbs but also communities in the Philippines.  As a reminder, Consul Angeles reiterated his call to all registered Overseas  Voters to participate in the May 2016 Philippine elections.  He explained that those who already registered for the Absentee Voting would receive official voters ballot form from Comelec thru mail and once the form is filled up, they should send it to the Philippine Consulate in Sydney either by person or by mail.

As a first time guest, the Mayor of Randwick City Council, Cr Noel D’Souza, was delighted by the warm welcome he received from the Filipino-Australian Community Association, Eastern Sydney (FACAES) at their recent Christmas Dinner. In his brief but inspiring speech, Cr D’Souza talked about the strength of multiculturalism in Australia and praised the Filipino-Australians’ contribution to Australian society.  He recognised the invaluable contribution of migrant Filipinos to Australia and, in particular, the dedication and strong work ethic of Filipino nurses in hospitals throughout Sydney.  

Cr D’Souza also talked about the Filipinos wonderful upbringing and their enormous love of families and their fellow human beings.  He hopes that Filipino-Australians will take  advantage of government help available and seek support to enable them to continue to build a stronger Australia.  He counselled that, as Australians, we should share our thoughts and ideas to help foster friendship, camaraderie and harmony in the community and its various multicultural groups. Lastly, Mayor D’Souza suggested that Randwick Council might be able to help FACAES with future events and celebrations by using the Town Hall and other Council facilities. 

At dinner time, popular Filipino food  including home-made desserts were served to the delight of guests and attendees.  Leading the list were Kare-Kare, Lechon, Chicken Apritada, Pork Menudo, Sisig and many more.  As expected,  entertainment is always a part of any Filipino event and well-known Sydney performers who were invited to the event entertained the crowd with selected love songs and Christmas carols led by Mr. Jay Gaerlan, Mr. Christopher Booth and Ms Annie Marquez.  The duo of little sisters Chelsea and Casey Soriano performed a special dance number that brought the crowd to its feet.   FACAES Family Dancers (Formerly Randwick Dancers) comprising of Mrs. Precy Santos, Ms. Karla Padolina, Mr. Rogelio Santos and Ronald Rala prepared  a special dance tribute to the deceased colleague Mr. Jojo Padolina, former FACAES officer and one of the original members the Randwick Boys who regularly performs at any FACAES event since 2007.  As part of the fun-filled Christmas celebration, both adult and children participated in the parlor games with winners receiving prizes and surprised Christmas gifts. 

There were also give-away items handed to the children of FACAES officers and members.  As a year-end tradition,  the association awarded Certificates of Appreciation to FACAES officers, members and their families who continued to help and support  the association in all their annual events/activities during the last 8 years.  Recipients of the awards this year were Mr. Rod Soriano, Miss Desa Santos, Mr. Jay Gaerlan, Ms Annie Marquez, Mr. Christopher Booth, Mr. Rogelio Santos, Mr. Ronald Rala, Ms Karla Padolina and Chelsea and Casey Soriano.

In his parting message, FACAES Vice President, Mr. Roque Molavin thanked Consul Marford Angeles and Randwick Mayor Cr Noel D’Souza for coming and joining the celebration and those who came to the annual FACAES Christmas event.  Mr. Molavin also thanked and appreciated the help and support provided by the people involved and responsible in organizing a successful celebration.  He encouraged FACAES officers and members to continue being part of the Australian community by supporting the programs and projects of the Randwick Council to foster friendship and camaraderie among the Filipino-Australians and other multicultural groups  residing in the Eastern Suburbs including the whole of Australia.