EDITORIAL ‘ thoughts this month ’
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EDITORIAL
Op-Edd by Edd Aragon
The Message . Bringing into focus Filipino presence in Australia . www . kalatas . com . au | Ang Kalatas Australia | Vol . 3 No . 9 | June 2013
EDITORIAL ‘ thoughts this month ’
Street inverviews by Marilie Bomediano
How would you like the Filipino community in Sydney celebrate Philippine Independence Day ?
Ronaldo Santos ( Surry Hills )
Annalisa La Grassa ( Liverpool )
I would love for the Filipino Community to perhaps organise more events showing more about our Filipino traditions and ways , our various indigenous arts and culture . Many younger generations Australian-born or mixed breed Filipinos like me don ’ t know much about their culture . This would help us understand more about our cultural legacy .
As a happy Filipino-Australian living in Sydney , I always take pride in celebrating our independence and cultural history here in Australia and abroad . To be a Filipino is a great joy . We have a very diverse , unique culture and special talent that we can be proud of , so let ’ s have a “ fun-tastic Filipino-styleceleb ”. Mabuhay .
Sabrina Andalis ( Eastlakes )
The Filo Sophist , by Abel Bangar
Patriotism and Dual Citizenship
“ Are you patriotic ?”
This was the question I was asked by a fellow guest in one of the independence day events I attended .
“ Of course I am ,” I answered proudly , then proceeded to list what I considered were my patriotic deeds : I performed the Pangasinan dance Sayaw ed Tapew na Bangko during the Fiesta Kultura ; participated in the Santacruzan at Hyde Park ; danced the Rigodon de Honor during the Freedom Ball ; sang in the Harana during the tourism promotion at Sydney Convention Centre . I was present during the state visits of two presidents , and I have been a frequent attendee of various community events . In my line of work , I have encouraged my company to sponsor events and projects of the community . I send money to the Philippines – an amount that helps , however small , towards the country ’ s economy . I am actively involved in Church ministry where I interact with fellow Filipino-Australians who share the Faith , discussing positive ways to help back home , especially when disasters strike there . These things plus more , I believe , were manifestations of my patriotism .
Having patiently listened to my litany , my fellow guest then delivered his coup de grace : “ You are Australian now , aren ’ t you ? Australia is your country now . By doing those things you have just mentioned , are you not being unpatriotic to Australia ?”
I later reflected on the comment . Yes , I am Australian now . In Australia , we had the proverbial barbecue on Australia Day . I watched the ANZAC parade , made a pilgrimage to the War Memorial in Canberra , worked and paid my taxes , did my utmost best to be an upstanding citizen of this country . I voted . I am a volunteer . If patriotism is defined as love of country , then , I have proven many times over that I love Australia . But , the pull of tradition has compelled me to return to my roots every now and again to participate in cultural events for the home country . While hardly a treason , I came to realise that I had divided loyalties to two beautiful countries .
In the midst of this dilemma , I thought back to the day in the early 1990s when I became an Australian citizen . In exchange for an Australian passport and Certificate of Citizenship , I had to renounce my Philippine citizenship . That was the trade-off . There was no other way . Actually renouncing the country of my birth was akin to turning my back on my birthright . I cringed at this thought . Back then , my main reason for becoming a citizen of Australia was to have an Australian passport and be called an Australian citizen . It was almost like a status symbol ,
See PATRIOTISM , page 23
Nina Cruz ( Lidcombe )
We can celebrate it with what my younger generation call “ Filo ” traditional dances , costumes and cuisine to also promote Philippine tourism especially dances to the curious multicultural public . Being the Dance City of The Performing Arts student in Mascott since I was only four years old , I wish that Hawaiian , belly dancing , and jazz ballet will also be included in our new breed of traditional dances .
Philippine Independence Day is a celebration and the best way to celebrate is to have a Filipino feast showcasing dishes embracing our good ‘ ol original pinoy recipes . Traditional dishes like dinuguan , laing , crispy pata and lechon paired with our exotic desserts like bikong tapol , ube halaya or halo-halo will also educate the multicultural public about our culinary uniqueness .
Ana Galo ( Ashbury )
My Italian-Filipino family celebrates Philippine Independence Day similar to that of the Italian traditions where large families are gathered together in a happy reunion style feast . My Australian-Italian Filipino heritage offspring hardly speak my Cebuano dialect so it would be nice if our Independence Day celebrations will have various regional language greetings with an array of colorful Filipiniana regional costumes .
Alex del Prado ( Seven Hills )
Being president of the Ilocano Association of Australia , I would gladly celebrate the Philippine Independence the “ Ilocano way ” wearing the Barong Tagalog or Ilocano costumes for women . My friends will be attending the flag-raising ceremony at the Philippine House in Elizabeth Bay this year . I encourage everyone else to attend salutations to the Philippine flag in their own localities .
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