APCO organises public picnic for Flavours of Auburn food festival

By Richard J. Ford – PRO-APCO Inc.
Auburn-NSW Australia
October 25, 2016



According to Dr Cen Amores, newly elected ASCON President, the Filipino food that were shared in the picnic were chicken, pork and beef BBQ prepared by Charles Chan and cooked by Richard Ford and Larry Perez, lumpia and empanada cooked by Carmen Frazer and her team, various kakanin made by Dian Ford, gulaman at sago by Larry and Cora Perez, papaya atchara by James Quinto and vegetarian noodles donated by Auburn Tamil Group.

Emma Braceros and her team decorated the venue, formerPresident Jhun Salazar manned the PA system, APCO current President Pet Storey managed the children’s traditional Filipino games while Directors Helen Rogaris and Glorina Papaioannou manned the reception and ticketing assisted by Cumberland Council staff and Director Rose Suziki passed the donation box.  

It was the first time that the Rose section of the garden was allowed to be used as a venue for a public picnic. Dr Cen Amores, ASCON President and APCO Founding President respectively, delivered a brief welcome speech, Consul Marford Angeles was on hand representing the Phil Government while Mia Fox, Education Officer represented Cumberland Council.

Among the performers were, Filipinas Dance Group of APCO and VSD Dancers, coloratura soprano, Linda Trinidad and veteran entertainer, Cleo Baltazar. Charles Chan chaired the program, with Albert Prias as his co-emcee.

In the wake of the recent massive devastation that hit the northern Philippines, APCO used the occasion to appeal for financial assistance. A total of $200 was collected from the guests.

---

NSW launches year-long celebration of Philippine culture

The Bayanihan Philippine Arts Project will be launched at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on Saturday 29 October 2016 to start the year-long celebration featuring Philippine arts and culture.

This partnership project by the Art Gallery of NSW, Peacock Gallery Auburn Arts studio, Mosman Arts Gallery, Blacktown Arts Centre and Campbelltown Arts Centre will be holding various arts and cultural activities featuring the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines through the artistic skills of Filipino-Australians in the area.

In Auburn, the celebration called “Not Home but Here” will be held from 2 July - 3 September 2017. Cumberland Council’s Peacock Gallery is developing a series of exhibitions, featuring the experiences and concept of home for the Filipino Diaspora of Western Sydney. Public programs, forum and art exhibitions have been developed by the Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations Inc (APCO) and the council.

APCO through its organisational member, FLAGCOM will be providing cultural performances utilising the best artists from the community.