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er 7 | APRIL 2016
www.kalatas.com.au
Volume
Number
11
Tribute to ‘the best
president we never had’
A memorial service was held recently in Sydney for the late statesman
Jovito
Reyes Salonga who passed away last month. Often referred to
J
by
b admirers as ‘the best president the Philippines never had’, Salonga
served
as Senate President, was a staunch nationalist and human
s
rights
defender who fought against martial law.
r
THE memorial was organised
by media and community
leaders at the FCF Life Centre
in Minchinbury to celebrate
the life of the beloved senator.
The event was attended by
people touched by his work,
his life, ideals and patriotism.
The tribute was given by
Consul General Anne Jalandoon Louis, Order of Australia
Medal Lolita Farmer, The
Filipino Australian Publisher
Romy Cayabyab, 2012 People
of Australia Ambassador Cen
Amores, 2015 Multicultural
Media Awardee Violi Calvert
and Financial Standard
Director of Media Michelle
Baltazar.
A closer insight into
the life and times of the
revered statesman was given
by Sydney-based niece,
Bless Salonga, who shared
her experiences and close
encounters with Ka Jovy.
The Consul General told
of her dealings with the late
Senator describing him “as
approachable and very humble
man. A model for public
servant displaying virtue of
integrity and always upheld
the rule of law.”
Some people say, “it’s
the end of an era for the
Philippines” but some
hopefuls are hoping that “this
is the start of an era” believing
that Salonga would inspire
future generations of leaders.
Our late Senator, as her
niece puts it in her eulogy,
“genuinely believed in the
capabilities of each Filipino
– with great faith, he was
convinced that each one of us
can make a difference, using
our God given skills, to make
A memorial was organised by media and community leaders at the FCF Life Centre in Minchinbury to celebrate the life of the beloved senator.
our nation whole”.
Born and raised into a
poor family, Salonga rose
to prominence as a brilliant
legislator and was a consistent
topper of senate elections.
He was a victim of the Plaza
Miranda bombing. He served
as head of the Presidential
Commission on Good
Government and as Senate
President during the Cory
Aquino years. He authored
several books related to the
legislature, the fight for human
rights, and good governance.