Marisa Vedar, immediate past president of the Filipino Communities Council of Australia (FILCCA), had the honour of giving a speech on behalf of the Filipino-Australian community at the welcome reception held in Campbelltown, Sydney. Below is the full transcript shared with The Australian Filipina.
His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Members of the Cabinet, Members of Parliament, Ambassador Belen Anota, ConGen Anne Jalando-on Louis, Bishop Peter Ingham, Father Christopher Sarkis, Mr Peter Turner and Principal Karen Young, newly elected FILCCA President Ms Aida Garcia, PCC NSW President Mr Atoy Sayas, distinguished guests, Filipino Community Leaders, Australian friends, Ladies and gentlemen, good morning - isang magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat!
On behalf of the Filipino Community in Australia, it is my honour to welcome you and the Members of your Cabinet. It is indeed a great privilege to be visited by your Excellency here in our second home.
Australia is now home to over 200,000 Filipino migrants, skilled workers and their families. A blessing that we thank God for as well as the Australian government, for the opportunities and benefits that were made available to us as new migrants. However, inspite of the good life we have here, we miss our true Home – ang Pilipinas naming Mahal!
Kung kayat pinupunan namin ang kalungkutan na iyan ng pakiki-balita sa pamamagitan ng mga online na pahayagan, telebisyon, streamline sa Radyo, at maging sa Facebook at Twitter at text messages ng aming mga kapamilya at kaibigan sa Pilipinas.
Nagagalak po kaming marinig na patuloy na tumataas and inyong trust rating – isang pagpapatunay na ang inyong programa na “Tuwid na Daan” ay pinahahalagahan ng bawat Pilipino saan mang sulok ng mundo.
Your honesty and sincerity as a leader brings a new image not only to the whole nation but also to us Filipinos living abroad. The fight against corruption, the strong economy, the will to eradicate poverty and most recently the signing of the Framework Agreement with the Bangsa Moro – these are earning us all “pogi points” in the eyes of the world. Your father Ninoy Aquino was right ... “the Filipino is worth dying for”.
Though the distance separates us physically, our hearts continue to swell with the love for our Mother country. That is why we have brought the Philippines to Australia. In every State or Territory, there is always a Filipino cultural dance troupe or a Filipino Choir serving in their local parishes.
There are Rondalla groups, Filipino artists and poets who continue to remind us of the beauty and richness of the Filipino Culture. We have introduced “adobo” to our Aussie friends and have taught them to sing Karaoke in parties. Pero takot pa po silang maipit ang mga paa sa tinikling. Pinauso na rin po namin ang iba’t ibang Fiesta, Simbang Gabi at Carolling para maibsan din ang lungkot na mawalay sa aming mga minamahal sa tuwing sasapit ang Kapaskuhan.
But more that the sharing of culture and tradition, we have shown that we value and care for the poor and the victims of tragedies and calamities in the Philippines. Between the years 2008 to 2012, Filipino Australians have donated 26 Villages to Gawad Kalinga totalling P27,733,203 (Twenty seven million, seven hundred thirty three thousand and two hundred Pesos).
During the calamities of Ondoy, Sendong and the Habagat Floods, the States of Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart have sent a total of over two million pesos (P2M) in relief funds. Isang pagpapatunay na katawan lang namin ang lumisan ngunit hindi ang puso at isipan. Patuloy naming minamahal ang ating mga kababayan at ang Pilipinas!
However Mr President, we are proud to say that just as you are raising the profile of the Filipino in the eyes of the world, so have we raised the image of Filipinos in Australia. We have Filipino doctors, engineers, nurses, musicians and sportsmen who have shown excellence in their respective fields and have made significant contribution to Australian mainstream society.
Just two weeks ago, FILCCA awarded a mettalurgist/mining engineer, Mr Rudy Gomez from South Australia who has 47 patents to his name as the Filipino Australian of the Year. We have recognised so many achievers, community leaders and Filipino-Australian organisations who have shown exemplary and strong leadership and creativity.
Just recently too, the Immigration Minister Mr Chris Bowen, Minister for Multicultural Affairs Sen Kate Lundy, MP Ed Husic and MP Laurie Ferguson announced the 12 Members of Filipino Ministerial Consultative Committee (including yours truly); who will work closely with senior government Ministers. To quote Senator Lundy, the formation of this Consultative Committee shows how the government recognises the valuable and robust contribution of the Filipino community to the success, prosperity and cultural richness of the Australian nation.
Lastly, I would like to emphasise that apart from campaigning for the advancement of welfare of Filipinos in Australia, the Filipino Community Council of Australia and its Member Peak Bodies in every State; are committed to strengthening the ties to the Motherland. The newly elected FILCCA Board through the leadership of my successor Aida Garcia will focus on creating opportunities and strengthening partnerships specially in the areas of social entrepreneurships, youth volunteerism and Tourism in the Philippines. We all want to have “Fun in the Philippines”.
Isang malaking karangalan po na kami ay inyong bisitahin at kamustahin. Makaka-asa po kayo na patuloy naming pagtitibayin ang ating pagtutulungan tungo sa isang masagana at mapayapang Pilipinas. Naway parati kayong patnubayan ng Diyos at bigyan lagi ng magandang kalusugan at katatagan para sa aming lahat at sa Inang Bayan. Magsabi lamang kayo kung ano mang tulong ang nais ninyong ibigay namin; sapagkat kabalikat ninyo kami sa “Matuwid na Daan”.
And now I would like to call on the President of the Peak Body, Mr Atoy Sayas - President of the Philippine Community Council of NSW accompanied by Elida Guntan, a Year 10 student of John Therry Catholic High School to present to you our token of appreciation and gratitude for your visit....
(President is given the Akubra Hat)
Isang magandang Umaga muli at Mabuhay ang Pangulo! Mabuhay ang Pilipino!
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