The Filipino Communities Council of Australia (FILCCA), the national peak body of Filipino-Australians, successfully conducted the online 2021 National Awards Ceremony, on October 20, 2021. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic the FILCCA undertook the rigorous process of obtaining nominations from member peak organisations and recognising their contributions and achievements with the corresponding awards.
The keynote speaker and special guest was Philippine Ambassador to Australia, Her Excellency Ma. Hellen de la Vega. In her talk, Ambassador de la Vega highlighted that there are more than 300,000 Filipinos in Australia which represents the 5th largest community and that the Filipinos have been contributing to the country's multicultural society since the 1860's. She also said that in celebrating the achievements of the awardees, we continue the narrative of the Filipinos in Australia and further strengthen the Fililipino-Australian relations.
The other official speeches were by South Australian Premier Steven Marshall and by the Leader of SA Opposition, which echoed the Ambassador's celebration of the contributions of the Filipino-Australians to the Australian society.
The Australian Filipina congratulates all the awardees from the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. We extend special congratulations to the winners from New South Wales. They are as listed below with their brief information.
STATE LEADERSHIP AWARD: Lina Cabaero (posthumous) and Marissa Dionson-Bala
Lina Cabaero
Lina has championed tirelessly on migrant and women issues over the years. She continued with this role passionately even during the battle with breast cancer and through prancreatic cancer, up to her demise.
Lina was in a pioneering street theatre group (Tropang Bod-a-bil and UP Peryante).
Also played the guitar for the then famous “InangLaya”. From being a campus-based student activist, she then worked with the national office of LFS as their National Propaganda Officer.
As a student activist in the Philippines, she spent a lot of time in picket lines with workers and in urban poor communities.
In 1989, she was elected to the Secretariat of Asian Students Association (ASA), a regional student alliance of militant and progressive student organisations in Asia-Pacific based in Hong Kong.
From 1995, she worked with the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrant Filipinos (APMMF), the NGO that pioneered grassroots movement building of overseas Filipino workers in Asia-Pacific. In 2002, she joined Asian Women at Work Inc and continue to work there as its Coordinator.
Very active with issues pursued by Migrante, the last of which is the Justice for Mhelody was killed in Wagga Wagga.
Marissa Dionson-Bala
Current Legal Adviser of Banag-Banag
Past Banag-Banag President 2015, 2016 & 2019
Works as Legal Counsel at Dell Technologies
Member of the Australian Pro Bono Center of NSW Law Society and featured at Law Journal
former Research Fellow at the Centre for International Legal Studies in Salzburg, Austria
former Japanese Government (Monbusho) Scholar
former President, Association of Filipino Scholars in Japan
PCC NSW - PCC Secretary 2004 ; PCC PRO 2005-2006
Reinvigorated Parramatta City Council and Cebu City – Sister Relationship Cities.
In 2015, Banag-Banag produced a documentary on “Women Heroes of the Philippines” which is a video bio on the lives of four Philippine heroines, namely Gregoria de Jesus and Melchora Aquino of Luzon and Nazaria Lagos and Teresa Magbaua of the Visayas.
Brought songs and dances for joy to the elderly residents at Gracewood Respite Centre, Kellyville NSW.
Collaborated with Blacktown Library for the Display of National Costumes in July 2019.
Have continuing projects in the Philippines
FILIPINO-AUSTRALIAN EXCELLENCE AWARD
Maritess Novis
Founder and driving force behind Qfirst Property Investment Group – the Sydney-based property investment firm committed to guiding and advising clients on strategies of achieving their financial goals through property investments.
Producing and sponsoring large-scale fashion show; established in September 2018, MFN Productions is the coming together of the world’s best creatives including photographers, stylists, scriptwriters, models, performers, and choreographers with the goal of ‘turning life’s moments into lifetime memories’.
Supporter of charities such as Destiny Rescue, an international organisation dedicated to rescuing and protecting children from human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Providing financial support to local Filipinos in Australia in need, including a number of students in Sydney who have struggled throughout the COVID pandemic.
YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT
Bobby Harrison
Talented Trumpet Player and Singer
Semi finalist Australia Has Got Talent 2009
Mo Award for under 18 Junior Award for Best Entertainer
Featured Artist School Spectacular (Quodos Arena)
Booked one year in advance to play Last Post and Revellie for Commeration of Battle of Australia, ANZAC and Remembrance Day
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY ORGANISATION
Filipino Lesbian and Gay Community
FLAGCOM was conceived in 2010 as a request of PCC to represent the Filo-Gays and
Lesbians in New South Wales as a recognition of their contribution in arts, sciences and businesses in the Filo-Australian Community.
With the active participation of over 40 members, FLAGCOM became famous in organising events including various community events, fundraisers, concerts, beauty pageants, catwalk and fashion shows.
Flagcom has been a constant nominee in the Zest Awards in promoting Social Cohesion and Community Harmony.
Back in 2015, the organization was asked by DZMM Radio Philippines to organise and stage the annual Global Pinoy Singing Idol competition in Australia. ABS CBN produced the show.
Likewise in 2018, Flagcom was commissioned by ABS CBN to assist in the logistics, props procurement and stage set up of ASAP in Sydney participated in by over 40 artists of ABSCBN and was attended by over 80,000 fans at ICC Sydney.
Flagcom played a big part in the organization and management of the Pasko sa Tumbalong in 2016 and 2017 which was a project of the Department of Tourism, Philippine Consulate and PCC.
In 2017, the Art Gallery of NSW has partnered with Flagcom and the Department of Tourism to stage the only Fashion Show ever in the Gallery featuring works of 4 famous Philippine International Designers to coincide with the Passion and Procession theme of the Gallery. The collection was also shown in a catwalk show at the historic Park Hyatt.
In 2018, Cumberland City Council commissioned FLAGCOM to organise and manage the promotion of Philippine Culture at the Peacock Gallery for one month. It showcased local Filipino Talents in singing, dancing, painting and arts and crafts.
Flagcom was also the choice of Production Team to organise the Miss World Australia and 2 Rocky Gathercole fashion shows in 2018 and 2019.
The Australian Filipina also congratulates Manuel Geronia Asuncion of Victoria as Runner Up for Filipino-Australian Year Award and Catriona Gray of Queensland as the Filipino-Australian Year Awardee.
The program was kept flowing by emcees Cecille Wheare (Victoria) - FILCCA Vice President Internal and Roberto Garcia (Queensland) - FILCCA Vice President External.
Congratulations are extended too to Carmen Garcia (South Australia) - FILCCA President and the whole team for the success of the event.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas at Australia! Mabuhay ang Pilipino!