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THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA
www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 6 Number 7 | APRIL 2016
COMMUNITY
Solidarity with farmers
MEMBERS and supporters of Migrante NSW staged a
picket outside the Philippine Consulate in Sydney recently
calling on the Philippine government to act with fairness
and justice on the case of farmers in Kidapawan, North
Cotabato.
THE Sydney-based Pinoys
also denounced the violent
crackdown on the farmers
protest in Kidapawan which
led to the deaths of three
protesters and injuries to over
100 people including minors.
The protesters in
Kidapawan cited the drought
caused by El Niño has been
affecting the region since
late last year and sought the
National Food Authority to
distribute rice to their farmers
since their local government
has been under a state of
calamity.
The Migrante Partylist
issued a statement
condemning the government’s
mishandling of the protest and
its insensitivity in helping the
poor farmers.
“Migrante Partylist
condemns in strongest terms
the Philippine National
Police’s bloody dispersal of
farmers, agricultural workers
and lumads in Kidapawan,
North Cotabato.
“At least 5,000 farmers
barricaded the national
highway of Davao-Cotabato
to demand immediate
financial relief and rice
from the government due
to a 7-month drought in the
province. North Cotabato had
since been declared under
a state of calamity due to El
Nino.
“Those who ordered
the shooting should be held
criminally liable. Migrante
Partylist fully supports the
demands of the farmers for
immediate relief from the
government. The Aquino
government should urgently
release calamity funds
and release all El Nino
rice subsidies now. Our
farmers work hard so that
the nation can eat, shame on
this government for being
indifferent to their plight.”
APCO joins ECC at 2016 Premier’s Harmony Dinner
THE Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations Inc (APCO) joined forces with Ethnic
Communities Council of NSW (ECC NSW INC) at this year’s Premier’s Harmony Dinner.
MP Kevin Connoly, Member for Riverstone posed with Dr Cen Amores,
Rowena Turnbull and Ruben Amores
IN keeping with APCO’s
commitment to promote
the rich and unique Filipino
cultural heritage, APCO
attendees turned up in their
elegant Filipiniana costume
and barong.
The Premier’s Annual
Harmony Dinner is a chance
to recognise and celebrate
the significant contributions
made by multicultural leaders.
Hosted by the Minister for
Multiculturalism the Hon.
John Ajaka MLC and attended
by the NSW Premier the
Hon Mike Baird MP, guests
enjoyed an evening of food,
APCO ladies led by Dr Cen Amores (2nd from Right) posed with ladies from
CALD communities while waiting for the program to start.
fashion and entertainment.
A special part of the night
was the announcement of
those who were inducted into
the Multicultural Honour
Roll. Those honoured
were recognised for their
outstanding achievements in
contributing to and building
the successful multicultural
society.
The Premier also
presented the Multicultural
NSW, Community Medals
recognising outstanding
achievements in building
community harmony,
contributions by young
ECC NSW Inc’s Chair, Peter Dukas (4th from Left) is sandwiched by his wife
Fiona and and Stepan Kerkyasharian. With them are APCO’s Glorina Papaioannou, Dr Cen Amores and Ruben Amores.
people, community service,
arts and culture and the NSW
economy.
Jewish leader Jeremy
Jones was honoured with
the top award, Stepan
Kerkyasharian AO Medal
for Community Harmony for
his interfaith work. NSW
Premier Mike Baird also
awarded Lindt cafe siege
survivors Louisa Hope and
Jarrod Morton-Hoffman
Champion of Community
Harmony certificates, for their
work promoting community
harmony in the aftermath of
the siege.
Knights of Rizal (KOR) Sydney Chapter
elects new officers
LINA'S KUSINA ... Delicious Pinoy dishes Tapsilog, Sizzling Crispy Pork Belly
Adobo Belly and the Ube Torrones are becoming the talk of the town within
the Sydney university belt area in Glebe. Customers keep on coming to Lina's
Kusina Cafe which opened recently with a fantastic Pinoy cuisine menu on
offer. The resto is owned by young entrepreneurs Jaybee and wife Jane Hular
from Meycauwayan, Bulacan.
Knights of Rizal Officers posed for a group photo after the successful conclusion of their Annual General Membership Meeting and Election held on February 13
at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club at West Ryde. Sitting L-R Sir Jess Diaz, KGOR, Sir Danny Peralta, KOR (Chapter Commander), Sir Alex Del Prado, KR (Pursuivant),
Sir Francis (Boy) de los Santos, KCR (Archivist), Sir Jeffrey Mendoza, KR (Deputy Exchequer), Sir Jhun Morales, KR (Exchequer), Standing L-R Sir Max Lopez, KCR
(Area Commander), Sir Phillip Ranoso, KCR (Former Regional Commander), Sir Bing Rana, KCR (Current Regional Commander), Sir Carlo Villadiego, KOR (Auditor),
Sir Ross Iglesia, KOR (Former Pursuivant), Sir Cesar Bartolome, KCR (East Australia Area Commander), Sir Ralph Posadas, KCR (Former Chapter Commander).
Not in photo, Sir Arnul Pan, KOR (Deputy Chapter Commander) and Sir Ian Goldthorpe, KOR (Deputy Chapter Pursuivant).