15 March 2005—Philippine Ambassador to Canberra Cristina Ortega encouraged the annual hosting of the Filipino-Australian golf tournament in the Philippines to boost the Philippine tourism industry.

At a dinner she hosted recently for a team of Filipino-Australian golfers at the Westin Philippine Plaza, Ambassador Ortega expressed her satisfaction in the team’s decision to hold the 11th Interstate Friendship Golf Cup in the Philippines for the first time since the Cup’s inception 11 years ago.  Team leader Mr. Ric de Vera, President of the Filipino Community Council of Australia, assured the Ambassador of their support for the programs to help promote Philippine tourism through golf.

Ambassador Ortega also encouraged the team to consider dual citizenship to enable them to enjoy the full rights of a Filipino without renouncing their foreign-acquired citizenship.    She said this is also an opportunity for them to help uplift the Philippine economy being prospective or potential investors in the country.   She informed the team that the country’s double taxation law would be to the advantage of Filipino-Australians as they are only required to pay taxes where income is generated.
 
The Filipino Community Council organized this 11th Interstate Friendship Golf Cup in the Philippines.  The Council hosts the Golf Cup annually in round robin among Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. The tournament aims to promote friendship and camaraderie among Filipino-Australian golfers and non-golfers.

The team, which is composed of about 50 golfers from Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, competed in the Eagle Ridge in General Trias, Cavite, and the Royal Northwoods in San Rafael, Bulacan from 8-10 March 2005.  The awarding ceremony for this sports event will be held at the Executive Plaza Hotel, Manila on 17 March 2005.  END
 

/jay