The 10th Annual General Meeting of the Alliance of Philippine Community Organizations Inc. (APCO) was held on Sunday 21st March 2021 at Auburn Community Centre, Auburn NSW. For this year’s AGM the election of new set of officers to lead APCO for the next two years, was one of the main agenda. Due to the combination of heavy downpour and Covid 19 restrictions, the Election Committee allowed electronic voting for the first time, which enabled nineteen (19) members to participate, nominate and be nominated and vote electronically. A total of twelve (12) members braved the turbulent weather to make the AGM a resounding success.
Mr Charles Chan, Master of Ceremonies, facilitated the smooth flow of the program which commenced after a sumptuous lunch at 12.30 pm. The outgoing President, MrsVioletaEscultura, reported on APCO’s accomplishments the main one was theCovid-specific government grantof $5,000 and $3,800 from donors that was used to assist Filipino student visa holders. Outgoing Treasurer, Dr Jaime Lopez presented APCO’s 2020-2021 Income Statement and Balance Sheet. Outgoing Secretary, Mrs. Carmelita Fraser’s report consisted of announcing the number of members and current financial members. Dr Lopez added to this report by enumerating the names of the current 16 financial affiliate organizations. They are the following: FLAGCOM, Kapitbahayan Coop Ltd, Sedgwick Housing Cooperative, NARRA Coop Ltd, Plaza Filipino Inc., Young and Districts Multicultural Association, the Illawarra Multicultural Filipino Women’s Group, the Club Filipino Illawarra, Filipinas Dance Group, UST Alumni Association, Global Ilocano Association, Concerned Citizens 50’s and Above Association, Pedro Calungsod Association, Filipino Women Support Group Macarthur, Crowe Productions Inc., Fil-Oz and Districts Inc.,
All the fifteen nominated candidates for Board of Directors were given a chance to highlight their achievements and contributions to APCO. The background of those who were not physically present was read by Dr Cen Amores.
Incoming President, Dr. Edgar Escultura stated that APCO will pursue the following priorities:
- Educational Forum with the Filipino Australian youth and APCO; Reach out to Filipino Australian youth
- Amendment of APCO Constitution
- Preparation for the Philippine Independence Day
- APCO Newsletter
- Humanitarian support for victims of calamaties in the Philippines and in Australia
The new set of officers to lead APCO for 2021-2023 are the following:
President Dr. Edgar E. Escultura
Senior Vice President Mr. Charles Chan
Junior Vice President Mrs. Carmen Fraser
Secretary Mrs. Josephine Tada
Treasurer Mr. Willie Plan
Auditor Ms. Marissa Houston
PRO Ms. Glorina Papaioannou
Board of Directors
- Cora Bojarski
- Albert Prias
- Rose Lay
- ZenyPiosik
- George Torres
- Edna Crowe
- Josie de Guzman-Johnson
Advisers
Dr. Cen Amores
Mr. Ruben Amores
Dr. Jaime R. Lopez
Mrs. VioletaEscultura
The Election Committee
Mrs.VioletaEscultura - Chairperson
Members
Mr Ruben Amores
Dr. Cen Amores
Mrs. Emma Braceros
Dr. Jaime Lopez
Returning Officer
Dr. Aida Morden
About Dr. Edgar Escultura
Dr. Escultura has 15 years of organizational experience in the overseas Filipino Community in the US and 15 years of experience as a progressive journalist for AngKatipunan, a weekly newspaper in the US, 1974 - 1986; he was a leading figure in the successful movement to change public opinion in the US from unconditional support for Philippine Presidents to cutting the lifeline a of support for President Ferdinand E. Marcos due to his dismal human rights records. He was Science Editor and Columnist for The Manila Times, 2005 – 2006. A retired professor of mathematics and physics, he earned his Ph. D. in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin and remains active in research in the fields of physics, genetics, neuroscience, astrophysics and geological, atmospheric and climatic sciences.