04
THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA
www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 4 Number 8 | May 2014
COMMUNITY
A view to a new brand of leadership...
NSW PREMIER MIKE BAIRD
IT
just suddenly happened one day a few weeks back. Mike Baird, MP for Manly,
became the state’s 44th Premier following the resignation of Barry O’Farrell over the
“what-wine?” affair being probed by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
SO who’s Mike Baird? Here’s a
little something about the state’s
new leader: he’s 46, took the premiership just two weeks after his
birthday which falls on April 1;
he’s a loving husband, a father of
three and believed to be a bit religious. He has always been described as a devout Christian.
Mr. Baird is an economics
major. Prior to entering politics,
he excelled in wholesale and in-
vestment banking – that maybe a good point as many hope he
could improve the state’s financial position.
He first won a seat in the NSW
Parliament in 2007 and back then
was already considered by some
observers as a future political
heavyweight, a natural leader. He
served in several shadow ministries until he held the important
position as Shadow Treasurer
eventually becoming state treasurer when the Liberals took over.
For starters, Premier Baird
shows to be engaged in environmental protection, advocating
school reforms, and continuing
the push to develop the state’s rail
system and the construction of a
second major airport.
More importantly, he promises change and transparency in
government. He has vowed to
fight corruption.
“I’m going to do everything
to restore confidence in the government. I’m going to do everything to restore confidence in the
great party I’m part of,” Mr. Baird
was quoted as saying in a recent
Sydney Morning Herald story
on alleged misdeeds within party
ranks and the corridors of power.
“I am determined to clean up
events that we’re seeing to make
sure they do not happen again.
I don’t care what political badge
you have. If you have done wrong
and if ICAC has shown you have
done wrong then I’m your worst
nightmare.”
Read his lips. He’s serious.
And we wish him well.
[Stay updated on key policies
affecting our state. Read the Premier’s Column when it returns in
AK next month.]
El Shaddai Youth stages Passion play APSL marches at rainy Anzac Day parade
THE
El Shaddai Youth presented a reenactment of the Way
of the Cross at the grounds of the Pinegrove Memorial Park on
Good Friday last month.
THE presentation of the Passion Play – also referred to as the
Cenaculo – was jointly directed
by Obet Dionisio and Bryan Ines.
The event was staged with the
cooperation of the management
of Invocare/Pinegrove Memorial
Park and the Filipino Multi-Cultural Sales Unit.
The Passion Play is a part of
Lenten activity for the Filipinos
in the Blacktown Area and oth-
er suburban areas, providing the
Catholics a proper venue to reflect on the sufferings of Jesus
Christ.
The participation of the El
Shaddai Youth also serves in
opening the minds of younger
Filipinos to the Filipino tradition
of staging the Cenaculo during
the Lenten Season.
Important roles were played
by Eriko Certeza as Jesus Christ,
Isabelle Montillano as Virgin
Mary, Lester Villanueva as Pontious Pilate, Chanel Barcelon as
Veronica, Chad Tan as Simon,
Bradley Gellido as Barrabas, and
Ezekiel Nool as Joseph Amurao
as Roman Soldiers.
Fr. Roy Cabradilla and Obet
Dionisio both lead the Prayers
and ‘Pagninilay’. [Article and
picture contributed by Obet Dionisio]
AUSTRALIA Philippines Services League (APSL)
members braved the rain during the 25 April Anzac Day
parade in Sydney, paying their respects to those who have
lost their lives in the fight for freedom, specifically the men
who fought in Gallipoli in 1915.
LED by Troop Commander Mike Onate and flag bearers James Vargas (Philippines)
and Raoul Opilas (Australia),
the APSL contingent of former service personnel, veterans and descendants of veterans completed the 30-minute
march from Martin Place to
Hyde Park through the city’s
rain-soaked central business
district.
“Joining events like this
serves as a profound reminder
for APSL that we need to be vigilant about protecting the freedom we enjoy and appreciate
the sacrifices attached to how
such freedom was gained,” said
Supreme Commander Col.
Chris Pilao (ret.), who welcomed the unexpected presence of Ms. Sharon Aritao-Rivadelo, her husband Raymund
and their daughter Isabella before march-off.
Ms. Aritao-Rivadelo recalled she used to join the An-
zac Day march with her father,
the late APSL prime mover and
World War II veteran Ted Aritao who died in 2011, but declined joining the march as the
family now lives in Manila and
were on holidays in Sydney.
ANZAC Day remembers
the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who
fought and died at Gallipoli.
The day of also pays tribute to
all soldiers who have died while
fighting for their country.
On cue – Flag bearers Raoul Opilas (Australia) and James Vargas (Philippines)
await the cue to march from troop commander Mike Onate. (APSL photo)