THE PHILIPPINE COMMUNITY HERALD NEWSPAPER PEOPLE * PEOPLE * PEOPLE
MANNY ASUNCION- a person who likes to make things happen ...
Manny is so well known to me since our halcyon days in Manila . We had so many commonalities – graduated at the same Philippine Normal College ( now University ), met again at Fort Santiago where we became pioneering members of the world-renowned premier theatre group in the Philippines better known for its acronym PETA ( Philippine Educational Theatre ), and worked as scriptwriters for various television drama programs . Before he migrated to Australia , we teamed up again at the first-of-its kind and one of the “ imeldifically gargantuan projects ” of then First Lady Madame Imelda Marcos called the University of Life ( UL ) -Continuing Education Program ( CEP ) which , amongst other developmental communication goals , exploited theatre as a platform ( nay , propaganda ) under the Dulaang Bayan ( People ’ s Theatre Movement that brought drama to the masses and deliver sugar-coated “ pledges ” of the so-called New Society to the Filipinos everywhere including the far flung regions . Needless to say , we forged a creative partnership even back then when we served as a well-paid think-tank artistic tandem to the powers that be . Manny , was the inhouse all around Writer-Production Manager and I was the Artistic Director who brought to life Manny ’ s humongous 3-act play with music “ Bayan Mo , Bayan Ko ” ( Your Country , My Country ) that premiered at UL in Pasig . Eventually Manny ’ s searing and soaring musical drama was reprised at Puerta Real Gardens in Intramuros for a bigger public to view for free before it was toured nationally .
By Mars Cavestany
The People Power Revolution of 1986 was a turning point in everyone ’ s life in the Philippines . Mercifully for Manny , he had already migrated to Australia by 1984 where we were united TOGETHER AGAIN , ten years thereafter . Naturally , we sought and reached out to each other when I eventually migrated in Australia too and got me the most prestigious scholarship to continue my PhD in Performance Studies earlier began at UNSW and continued at La Trobe University in Bundoora Campus quite easily accessible to where Manny and his partner Adrian made such a lovely home lived in perfect harmony . We have so much unfinished business with my dearest friend Manny . Even when I had returned to Sydney , he still invited me to hold integrated theatre-in-education workshops to his very own group the Dulaang Bayan Melbourne in which I never had a chance to direct whilst I was in Melbourne for a couple of years because I was knee deep into my research-study-cum-dissertation . Recently , when I rode the crest to vlogging , I began reading from Manny ’ s original plays even as I promised to direct his wonderful migrant story dramatisations if not onstage via my own group PETALS in Sydney , at least in community radio dramas .... someday . There is no end to friendship just as there is no time limit to when we can place a dot to our on-going dramatic poem . For now , I serve him as a most palatable dish to my avid readers . Happy reading ...
Q-1 . How many years have you been in Australia ? A . I ’ ve been in Australia for 37 years . I migrated in the winter of June 1984 . My elder sister , Fely Asuncion Joyce and her husband , Graham Joyce from South Australia , sponsored me to Australia . At first I was reluctant to migrate because I had a steady job in the Philippines , but because of the growing mass dissent and instability of the state of the government , I decided to migrate to Australia with a heavy heart . Q-2 . Are you still considering resettling back to spend the rest of your life back home ? A . No , because most of my immediate family as well as my relatives are all here . I have only one brother who is residing in the Philippines . I ’ m living peacefully and happily here with my family and friends , and almost half of my life has been spent in Australia . But don ’ t get me wrong , I still consider the Philippines as my home country . Love to visit it every now and then to get connected regularly with some of my relatives , close friends , and former colleagues from work out there . The Philippines will forever be in my heart no matter what because it is where I spent my formative years . Q-3 . In retrospect , what do you consider were the worst times in Australia ? A . I don ’ t think I underwent what you may call the worst times in Australia because I don ’ t have any problems with language nor cross cultural communication . Way back in the Philippines I taught at the Interchurch Language School ( ILS ) for 8 years where we had foreign priests , nuns and missionaries learning our native language and culture . At Languages Internationale , I experienced teaching foreign businessmen and diplomats learning Filipino language for specific purposes . All these prepared me greatly in dealing with foreigners , from the usual culture shock and even language barriers . Presently , I have just retired as Lecturer-in-Charge of Filipino Language Department at the Australian Defence Force . Q-4 . What about your best times : A . To tell you frankly , there are numerous best times I had in Australia . First of all , joining different Filipino organizations allowed me to meet Filipinos with diversified backgrounds , age levels , psyche , and personalities . Also , I was so lucky having taught at various language schools in Victoria apart from a work history attached to different government departments . Thus , I had a broad exposure dealing with people from multicultural backgrounds . Q-5 . Please trace your greatest contributions to the Filipino Community in Australia in the following fields starting off with Community Arts with focus on community theatre ? A . A . Paramountly , I established the Dulaang Bayan Melbourne Inc ( DBMI ) in 1987 for which I wrote and directed plays mirroring the life of Filipino migrants in Australia . I ’ m very proud that this drama group within its 25 years of existence was able to develop and harness the artistic talents of migrant Filipinos in Melbourne and brought about immeasurable joy and nostalgia to the audience . In 2016 , I published my book MANNY G . ASUNCION ’ S , ‘ SEASONS ” - an anthology of all my produced plays in Melbourne , Australia . Q-6 . What about in the area of community newspaper as well as community radio not to mention your other multicultural and interdisciplinary involve-
Manny Asuncion
ments as linguist and interpreter ? Please include all these and cap them all with mention of your outstanding awards ? A . Likewise , I am one of the co-founders of the longest-running newspaper in Australia , THE PHILIPPINE TIMES way back in the early 90s in which I was a writer , columnist and a one-time Editor -in-Chief. My column PI- LANTIK NG DIWA had several followers for it touched the Filipino idiosyncrasies , culture and psyche . I have also contributed various writings to other publications like the Philippine Community Herald ( Sydney ), Munting Nayon ( Netherland ) and Daily Mirror ( New York ). When you talk of community radio initiatives in Victoria , I happen to be one of the pioneer broadcasters of Radyo Filipino way back in the 90 ’ s broadcasting Filipino news . I wrote several original stage plays and aboriginal myths and legends translated into Filipino and consequently aired over SBS Radio . We founded the Philippine Language School in the early 90 ’ s and I pioneered as one of its first teachers . I am a long time active Director of the Philippine Fiesta of Victoria Incorporated ( PFVI ) doing its promotion and publicity over the radio , print and social media for 18 years now , not to mention its two-day program . For almost 18 years . I served as a NAATI- accredited Filipino and English translator and interpreter ( both ways ). I completed my Master of Applied Linguistics at University of Melbourne in 1999 and Graduate Certificate in Literacy at Victoria University 2001 . In 2015 , I was honoured with Victoria ’ s Multicultural Awards for Excellence and Meritorious Service to the Community by the Victorian Multicultural Commission whilst my alma mater back home bestowed me a Philippine Normal University ( PNU ) National Award for International Leadership . The following year , in 2016 , I was one of the recipients of the PAMANA AWARD for exemplary devotion and passion in promoting Filipino culture and heritage through language , arts and drama in multicultural Australia .
I consider these awards as the culmination of my services in the Filipino Community in Victoria . Q-7 . There are many other facets to your colourful personality that I want our readers to discover that you may
please share with us and kindly include also your philosophical outlook plus strongly held beliefs ? A . Other facets of my personality ? Well , I ’ ve been living with my partner for years , Adrian Prophet . He is my editor , mentor and critic rolled into one . We have a great passion for books , theatre and travel , and admittedly , we have great respect for one another and our relationship is toned with a sense of humour . My philosophy is live and let live . You make your own destiny and achieve it by being determined , creative and most of all engaging in hard-work . I don ’ t believe in fate . I ’ m more of an existentialist . I do believe that it is the responsibility of each individual to make decisions , to give life meaning and live it to the fullest . At my age , I ’ m very proud to say that I have achieved my lifelong dreams and ambitions : to finish my studies , support my family , travel the world ( Asia . America and Europe ), have a peaceful life free from troubles and debilitating illnesses and having a caring and understanding partner . Lastly , I have been blessed to be given the chance to work with and for the Filipino Community in Victoria . Q-8 . Would you like to cite what to you are the impediments and stumbling blocks you have personally encountered in the Filo commune having dipped your fingers in practically every pie in Melbourne so to speak ? A . : I ’ m a person who likes to make things happen . This has been my motto since I was working in the Philippines . I love results and delivery . Not just mere big talks and endless criticisms which frustrate and irritate me to no end . I think they are futile and counter-productive . These are the things that I found in some , but not all , with the Filipinos whom I have worked with . I do believe that these negative attitudes hamper the development and growth of our community as a whole . Q-9 . How do you want to be remembered ? A . A caring person who is equally an avid worker and supporter for the progress and development of the Filipino-Australian Community in Australia . Q-10 . What would you wish for your fellow Filipino migrants In Australia and finally please share with us your special thoughts and leave some form of message , a parting shot to our readers the world over ? A . I wish that we Filipino-ethnic migrants participate more actively in all areas of endeavours of this “ second ” country of ours and be duly recognized in the Australian history . We are so lucky living in this generous country , so we have to take advantage of the prosperity and blessings that it offers . As migrant Filipinos , let ’ s strive to be an asset and pride to our homeland and definitely to our adopted country .
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