6 June 2012- The month-long celebration in New South Wales, Australia, of the 114th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence kicked off on June 02, with activities held in the cities of Wagga Wagga and Bathurst.
Philippine Consul General to Sydney Anne Jalando-on Louis joined members of the Filipino-Australian community in Wagga Wagga, 458 kilometers southwest of Sydney, in a program featuring cultural presentations, a brief history of Philippine Independence and the Philippine flag, and an oath taking ceremony for those who have availed of the dual citizenship program.
Present during the event were Member of Parliament for Wagga Wagga Daryl Maguire, Wagga Wagga City Mayor Kerry Pascoe, Temora Shire Councilor Irene Broad and Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga Manager Belinda Crain.
Consul General Louis thanked Mayor Pascoe and the Wagga Wagga Council for their continued support for the Filipino community, and acknowledged Councilor Irene Broad's leadership and efforts to promote the welfare of Filipinos in the Riverina Region.
She also encouraged members of the Filipino community to avail of the dual citizenship program and to register as overseas absentee voters. Consul General Louis noted the involvement of Filipino youth in the cultural presentations and encouraged similar efforts to continue to preserve Filipino heritage among the Filipino community.
Consul General Louis also met with newly-arrived trained butchers, mostly from Davao, who are employed by a meat company in Wagga Wagga. The Filipino workers gave a positive feedback on their experience working with the company in the past few months.
On the same day, Consul Marford Angeles, together with Consulate staff members Messrs. Alexander Riosa and Jessie Llaneta and Ms. Annalie Galang, attended the flag-raising ceremony in Bathurst City, 203 kilometers west of Sydney. The event was co-organized by the Bathurst Regional Council headed by Mayor Greg Westman, the Bathurst Lions Club, and the Filipiniana Friends Bathurst and Central West headed by Ms. Nenita Weekes. Member of Parliament and State Minister for Trade in Asia Pacific Paul Toole graced the ceremony.
Forthcoming activities in connection with the Philippine Independence Day celebration include flag-raising ceremonies, cultural programs and Independence Day balls in Sydney and other cities of New South Wales such as Parramatta, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Woollongong, Penrith, Gosford, and Dubbo. END
