Ang Kalatas Volume III August 2013 Issue | Page 10

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THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA. www.kalatas.com.au | Ang Kalatas Australia | Vol. 3 No. 11 | August 2013

COMMUNITY ROUND-UP
WITH MARILIE BOMEDIANO

Young Pinoys learn native delicacies
THE Penrith Community Filipino School (PCFS) held a “Purple Yam” native delicacy cooking demonstration with Masterchef Marx Canoy recently at St Marys Senior Citizen’s Centre as part of a programme to introduce native food to young FilipinoAustralians. The event gave the young an opportunity to understand Filipino crops and delicacies like the ube canape dish and favourite ‘biko’ among others. “We invited Masterchef Marx Canoy to teach the you ng about the native crop as an ingredient and nutrition,” said Alexis Leones, director general of the Penrith Community Filipino School. The school is under the management of the Philippine Language and Cultural Association of Australia Inc (PLCAA) now headed by president Danny Rosales. Established in 2007, the main objective of the school is to teach conversational Filipino and heritage through Filipino language, arts and craft, traditional dances, songs, sports, and cuisine. They also assist in developing a sense of pride and belongingness among the young FilipinoAustralians on their cultural identity. “Everyone enjoyed the Filipino Cuisine, I was pleasantly surprised with the children’s reactions asking for more of the purple yam,” said PCFS principal Marie Bandayrel Information about the school can be seen at www.plcaa.blogspot.com.

Cooking demonstration with Marx Canoy at St. Marys Senior Citizen’s Centre in Penrith. PHOTO BY DARRYL O’BRIEN

MANILA SUNSET 3RD ANNIVERSARY

Retailer sets sights on railways research
CELEBRATING the third year of their Filipino-themed convenience store, Manila Sunset retailer-owner Brad Peadon is setting his sights on raising awareness on the history of Philippine railways. The Manila Sunset Convenience Store has grown remarkably over the past three years and continues to draw more customers at the commercial district in Narwee. The store combines a competitive outlet for Filipino products and services. “Retail is my main forte with research as a hobby. I have been involved in the Philippine Community for over sixteen years at Railway Transport History Museums,” said Mr. Peadon who spent many years in the retail industry with Woolworths. In 1999, he started a society to research on Philippine Transportation Railway. Last year, along with the help of two railway research friends, he started a huge project called the ‘PRHS Philippine Railway Database Project’. The store is family owned with Mr. Peadon sharing the responsibility with his Filipina wife Ana. Mr. Peadon is always keen to talk about Philippine history, traveling, news and myths endlessly fascinates his patrons as he shares his passion and legacy of the Philippine Railway artifacts and heritage. ‘Philippine Railway Historical Society’ was established in 1999 known as the ‘Philippine Railways SIG’ and exists to research, share information and help others, free of charge, with information pertaining to the railways of the Philippines. Their main interests are in their blogsites, published newsletters and guides as well as their internet forums. “The intention of this website is to bring all these projects together, as well as act as an information database to all facets of todays, and yesterdays, Philippine railway operations. It will promote the hobby, share the latest news and forward its new modelling and transportation divisions,” Mr. Peadon said. More information can be found through the http://prhsociety.wordpress.com.

FAME 5th year bash

Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis (centre) with the officers, members and guests at FAME’s anniversary celebration.

THE Filipino Australian Movement for Empowerment (FAME) celebrated its ?fth anniversary last month with a colourful 1970s’ hippie and rock n’roll style at the Rooty Hill RSL. The event gave tribute to FAME’s achievements and its humble beginnings since its formation in 2008. FAME now has four suburban councils. Philippine Consul-General Anne Jalando-on Louis addressed the audience and led the cake cutting and toast with Federal Member for Chi?ey Ed Husic MP and Cr. Jaqueline Donaldson representing the mayor of Blacktown City.
From left: Tess Sayas, Youths Committee Director 2013-14, Kate Cornford, 2011-2012 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, Katrina Yu, Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar 20082009, Ms. Pennie Holley, Rotary Club President

FAME executive director Rod Dingle cited the success of the group’s projects such as the Expresso info series which had provided a forum for discussion on important issues affecting the community. “As Filipino-Australians, you have the unique opportunity to enhance both societies by contributing to Australia’s social, economic and political advancement and increasing your homeland’s esteem among the community of nations,” stated a message from Philippine president Benigno Aquino III in a message in the event’s souvenir.

Rotary awards young achievers
FILIPINO-Australian SBS journalist Katrina Yu was one of two ambassadorial scholars of the Rotary Club presented with the Youth Program of Enrichment award recently at the Blacktown Workers Club. Ms. Yu was a Rotary ambassadorial scholar in 2008-09. She took an MA in international studies and diplomacy at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African studies. The other awardee was Kate Cornford, scholar in 2011-12. Katrina is currently a Journalist with SBS World News Australia and the recipient of 2013 NSW Premier’s Multicultural Award for Best Investigative Story of the Year. “I wouldn’t have been here and built my career if I didn’t act that year in 2008, to represent The Rotary Club. That was really a moment that was integral leading to where I am now, says SBS Journalist Katrina You. Tess Sayas, Youths Committee Director 2013-14 presented the awards to the Rotary Club’s Ambassadorial Scholars.