COMMUNITY
Balik Tanaw winds down with a flourish
THE month-long exhibit of Philippine arts and culture at the Auburn Peacock Gallery inside Auburn Botanic Gardens concluded with a parade of iconic Philippine festivals on Saturday , September 2 .
The Balik-Tanaw Philippine Arts Festival was part of an ongoing series of Philippine arts exhibits in various art galleries in NSW called the Bayahihan Philippine Arts Project .
The project started on Saturday , July 8 with a program comprising the Balik-Tanaw arts exhibit launch , art workshops , Philippine Family Day , panel discussions on Philipppine arts , culture , history , and tourism ; and the Philippine Spring Festival a parade of Philippine festivals , the Bayanihan hopping house , and dance and song performances .
Groups that represented the parade were the Illawarra Filipino and Multicultural Women ’ s Group , Visayan Association of Australia , NARRA Coop , ACI , Filipinas Dancers , VSD Dancers , Kapit-Bahayan Cooperative , Sonata Singers , Filipino Women ’ s Support Group , Sedgwick Co-op , beauty pageant title-holders from the Filipino community , Peacock Gallery Art aficionados , general community members , community artists and staff of various art galleries . Various ethnic communities came to in the celebrations . Cultural performers at the launch and the closing programs were the Sonata Singers , VSD Dancers , Filipinas Dancers , Brian Lorenz , Marcus Rivera , Perdro2 Band , Cleo Baltazar , Gilda Pagaduan , Annie Marquez , Issei Guarin , Abigail , Ester and Sophie .
The Balik-Tanaw Philippine Arts Festival was organised by the Cumberland Council together with the Philippine community led by Auburn Small Community Organisations Network chairwoman Cen Amores , Albert Prias , Charles Chan , and Kapit-Bahayan Co-op president Ruben Amores . •
Fiesta in the East
SYDNEY ’ S Eastern Suburbs will have its first ‘ Filipino Fiesta ’ on Sunday , November 5
It will be held at Allison Park , Randwick , from 10am to 7pm .
The ‘ main event ’ will feature a presentation of beauty pageant candidates for ‘ Mutya Ng Sydney 2018 ’ and ‘ Miss Charity Queen Sydney 2018 ’.
A coronation night will be held on Saturday , November 18 , 2017 at the Merrylands RSL Club in Merrylands .
The Fiestas will showcase Filipino heritage with songs , dances , and food .
Entertainment will feature a Cultural Dance Competition and entertainers Annie Marquez , Desa Santos , Jay Gaerlan , Efren Padagas , Madonna Hart , and Emerson Tuazon . The grounds will have food and merchandise stalls . Admission is free . The Fiesta is organised by the Filipino-Australian Community Association , Eastern Sydney ( FACAES ) and supported by the Philippine Community Council of NSW . •
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OBITUARY
Renato Perdon - A man for all seasons
FILIPINO Australian historian , book author and journalist Renato Perdon , 73 , died in his sleep aboard a Qantas flight to Manila approximately an hour or so before touch down at Ninoy Aquino Airport International Airport in Manila on September 6 .
By DOMINGO ( NONOY ) PERDON
He was on a planned homecoming to spend his retirement in Caramoan township of Camarines Sur in the Bicol region of the Philippines .
Abiding by his wish , his remains were cremated two days later at Manila Memorial Homes in Sucat , Paranaque .
This writer is the last surviving direct relative of four brothers who all came from the township of Sipocot town , also in Camarines Sur , and a much older brother from the town of Caramoan , Camarines Sur .
Renato , single , is survived by 15 nephews and grandchildren by some of these nephews and and nieces in the tradition of extended Filipino clan , from the township of Nabua , also in Camarines Sur .
Speaking during the memorial service held in his honour were his cousin and “ Inside Bicol ” broadcaster Alfredo Perdon from Naga City , former Philippine Consul General to Sydney Anne Jalando-on Louis , retired Assistant Executive Director Amelita Almozara of the Philippine National Commission on Culture , and Renato ’ s nephews .
Only this year Renato was one of 19 individuals and two organisations honoured as 70th Philippine-Australia Diplomatic Relations Anniversary awardees at the Philippine Embassy in Canberra , ACT , Australia .
In 2016 , he was Multicultural Media Advocacy awardee of the Commission on Overseas Filipinos , held in Malacanang , Manila .
Book author , historical and former Colombo scholar , Renato was for 27 years a devoted professional in historical studies and cultural preservation , mainly during his work with the Philippine National Historical Institute .
Bicol broadcaster and first cousin Alfredo Perdon who was formerly Commissioner of Overseas Filipinos said Renato was a role model for the extended Perdon family helpful and nurturing to relatives and co-employees in the public service . He said Renato extended great assistance in re-establishing the
BALIK TANAW parade scene at Auburn Botanical Gardens .
Filipino-Australian historian Renato Perdon
local historical body and memorialising important historical figures in Naga City .
Renato Perdon authored the defining 300 pages book , The Life and Times of the Perdon Family , which traced the roots and heritage of the Perdon family of Nabua town in Camarines Sur , complete with family trees and pictures of relatives .
For her part , former Philippine Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis was appreciative of the contribution of Renato and his writings in Filipino community publication in bridging the role and goals of the Philippine Consulate in Sydney and the Philippine community .
Renato was co-founder of the 19-year old Bayanihan News publication in Sydney .
Former assistant executive director of NCC Mr Amelita Almozara outlined her associations with Renato as government employee in NHI and Renato ’ s commitment to public service including his innovative ways to carry out projects for the agency . •
Narra opens Central 2
THE official inauguration of the Philippine Australian Arts , Culture and Innovation ( ACI ) Central 2 by Narra Co-operative Ltd and Plaza Filipino Inc took place on Friday , September 15 , 2017 at the ACI Central 2 , Artisan Building , 3-9 Warby Street , Campbelltown .
The event kicked off with a ribbon-cutting by Campbelltown Councillor Rey Manoto and Narra president Jimmy Lopez .
Father Ferdinand de la Cruz officiated at a blessing , and said contributions to the ACI served to help people learn more about the Filipino culture and history .
Campbelltown Mayor George Brticevic , through Cr Manoto , said : “ I congratulate the ACI for the contribution they have made to the Campbelltown Community and that through your new additional premises you will help the community to learn more about the Filipino people and their culture .”
A Plaque of Legacy Supporters was unveiled by Philippine Consul Marford Angeles and Councillor Masood Chowdbury .
An Consul Angeles said he will “ miss the warmth and camaraderie he has experienced in the time he has been Consul ”, that the ACI reminded him so much of home , because he felt at home among Filipino friends .
NARRA president Jimmy Lopez thanked those who contributed to the Tribute To Mothers and Fathers 2017 held on Sunday , September 3 at Burwood RSL Club . •
AK NewsMagazine , Vol 8 No 1 | OCTOBER 2017 17