2 | THE CANBERRA REPORTER May 2017
So where’s the story on
my little junior’s fantastic
try last weekend?
COMMENTARY
JESSICA ADELAN-LANGFORD STARTS A REGULAR COMMENTARY COLUMN
WITH THE CANBERRA REPORTER FROM THIS ISSUE. A TRUE CANBERRA LOCAL,
THE COLUMNIST IS AT HOME WITH LOCAL AND FEDERAL ISSUES. SHE SAYS:
EDITORIAL
Niche media can do
what mainstream can’t
THE Canberra Reporter is on its eighth issue this May 2017. And it’s
looking good for a little monthly newspaper with a niche market in a
relatively small city and surrounding suburbs.
Businessmen and plain citizens were giving the publication next to no
chance of making it: “We give you six months, if that. And why publish a
newspaper for a Filipino-Australian community of old-timers, new
migrants, and expats in the ACT?”
The reason is simple: The migrants’ need to feel recognised for their
contribution to society.
But there are already enough news media in the mainstream for that.
Ah, there’s the rub: Would mainstream media highlight a migrant’s
achievement in his own community? Would mainstream media tout the
exploits of a migrant community’s under 12 rugby league halfback?
Would mainstream media even bother about a migrant community’s
couple announcing their engagement?
Probably. But less likely.
If anything, stories that would rate front-page news in an ethnic
newspaper such as The Canberra Reporter may find them in some
obscure corner of a mainstream newspaper.
That is not to criticise mainstream media. It is not their role to feed
niche markets that may look insignificant to a much larger readership or
audience.
That’s the job of small publications such as The Canberra Reporter.
For who else would mirror the contributions of minor communities in
the way those communities regard them.
- Jaime K Pimentel, editor
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Readers are invited to write in about their views and opinions
on subjects of public interest. The editor reserves the right to
publish letters on any grounds. Readers must comply with a
code of ethics that requires fairness, truthfulness, accuracy
and an absence of malice and discrimination. Please email
letters to [email protected]
ROLL CALL
FILIPINO-AUSTRALIAN ORGANISATIONS IN THE ACT
n Philippine Australian Association of Canberra &
Monaro Region (contact, Joseph Gasendo)
n Gawad Kalinga ACT (contact, Sally Barber)
n Filipino Community Council ACT (contact, Noonie
Doronila)
n ACT Filipino Australian (contact, Beewah Snelson)
n Philippine Cultural Society (contact, Feding
Donaghue)
n Rondanihan (contact, Ian Bull)
n Filipino Community Sports (contact Ariel
Patugalan)
n Filipino Language School of Canberra (contact,
Arnel Basas
n Couples For Christ (contact, Danilax Ambida)
n Jesus Is Lord (contact, pastor Eric Marquez)
n Philippines Studies Group (contact, Emy Liwag)
n El Shaddai Prayer Group (contact, Cesar Lai)
n Sampaguita Ladies (contact, Cecilia Flores)
n Radyo Filipino Australian (contact, Gloria Ross)
ABOUT twenty years ago I
decided that politics was my future
career path.
As a child I had grand ideas of
housing the homeless, feeding
the poor and just giving people a
helping hand.
I resolved to join a political party
as soon as I could to contribute in
my own way to making the world a
better place.
Last year I had the privilege of
representing my political party
in both the Federal and ACT
elections.
Some may recall seeing my
posters on the Tuggeranong
Parkway.
While I was not successful,
the experience cemented my
commitment to helping others.
I have since returned to working
as a lawyer for Chamberlains Law
Firm. Luckily for me, my job allows
me to help others.
My speciality is succession law.
I can help people to prepare their
wills, prepare powers of attorney,
apply for guardianship, obtain
a grant of probate, administer
estates and provide family
provision advice.
I am lucky enough to help people
with everyday issues.
n Contact Jessica Langford on
0418 541 773
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
A random surv ey of Filipino-Australians in the ACT by Reporter staff
How are you planning to
celebrate Mothers’ Day?
DELIA ALEXANDER
of Gordon MIGUEL RAMIREZ
of Isabella Plains MARIAN BRUNSKILL
of Richardson
We plan to celebrate it just
with the presence of my
daughter Dalisay Krege, 44
yrs old and her German-
Filipino family in their home
in Chifley.
I wish they could take me to
a Catholic club called “The
Southern Cross Club” in
Tugerranong famous for its
Aussie dishes famous cold
cuts of roast beef, chicken or
pork sliced into pieces cold
and adding potatoes with
lots of salads and vegies. n I have plans of taking my
mother to dinner to a place
we usually frequently dine
at Tuggeranong which is
called Street of Asia in the
Hyperdome which is very
popular Asian Restaurant
ideal for celebrations.
We usually just relax on
either Mothers’ or Fathers’
Day; nothing strenuous.
We stay at home and then
eat out, just a simple family
bonding and relaxing. n We will probably celebrate it
this year with my two sons
Aiden, 32, and Rowan, 30,
and my sister as it’s also her
birthday around this time of
the year.
We will do a home-cooked
lunch with some prawns,
roast lamb and plenty of
vegetable salads (broccoli,
cauliflower and beans) and
complemented with mixed
green salads. n
PUBLISHER
THE CANBERRA REPORTER
(ABN 44149329419)
Editor-in-Chief
JAIME K PIMENTEL
Deputy
SALLY BARBER
Subeditor
VIOLI CALVERT
Photo/journalists
DENNIS BENEDICTOS
MARILIE BOMEDIANO
GERRY MUSA
Editors
MARILIE BOMEDIANO / News & Features
ARNALDO DE LEON / Motoring
Columnists
JESSICA ADELAN-LANGFORD
ARNEL BASAS
Legal Counsel
LINDA GERONIMO SANTOS
Advertising
ROY RAMIREZ / Manager
JOSIE MUSA / Representative
Printer
New Age Printing,
Rydalmere NSW
Waiver: Opinions expressed
by writers do not necessarily
belong to the publisher.