A couple of the adverse effects of the pandemic to so many are the restriction of people in their homes in lock-downed places and the inability to travel into other states to visit their loved ones or for holidays.  With the much-welcomed opening of the border to New South Wales residents by the Northern Territory government and the zero COVID case by community transmission [with thirty three cases being from hotel quarantine], my husband and myself undertook the trip we have been wanting to do for years.

With Snoopy, our beloved pet dog happily adopted by his regular holiday parents, we set out to do a seven day trip to cover some of the natural wonders of the place.  The heat  topping at 38c degrees with high humidity was a bit of a challenge.  However, this became insignificant as we gazed with awe the natural art work thousands of years in the Kakadu National Park, the wildlife of Katherine and Litchfield and not to forget the allure of Darwin as a city.

An additional highlight for us happened on the morning of leaving Darwin to fly back to Sydney. We had the pleasure of meeting Lorenzo Sta Maria, a kababayan who I got in touch with a couple of days earlier through the Facebook page of the Filipino Australian Association of the Northern Territory [FAANT].  Much to my pleasant surprise he turned out to be a friend of Rod Dingle and Lillian delos Reyes as Lorenzo previously lived and worked in Sydney for fourteen years.  



  

We are thrilled to share with you the Q&A below to get an insight into Lorenzo's persona and his observations of the places he had lived and worked.

What is your 'migration story'?

My family arrived in Darwin NT from Manila 1988. It was a family decision to migrate to Australia.  I did not have the opportunity to work in Philippines because after I finished university we soon migrated to Australia.

In 1991 went to, lived and worked around UK and parts of Europe, then back to London for further study in business/Int’l hospitality management. In 1996 I went back to Darwin from UK because I got homesick and missed my family.  But I only stayed for two months as after living in many big cities in Europe and craving for city life, I then lived in Adelaide, Melbourne and  Sydney to work in Westpack Bank. 

When Dad passed away in 1998 I came back to Darwin for a year. I worked at MGM Casino & Hotel.  Following a job offer from Sydney Boulevard Hotel I was in Sydney just before the Sydney Olympic Games 2000.   I worked in various five star hotels, restaurants and clubs in Sydney.

In 2014 I decided to come back here in Darwin to spend more time with my ageing mother and also to help start up a family restaurant business called Lorenzo Wine & Dine which operated until 2017.   Recently I opened a small coffee shop at Mitchell Centre called  La Casa Cafe

What are your observations of Sydney and Darwin, and their Fil-Aus community organisations?

Sydney is a busy modern exciting city of career opportunities. There’s always something going on full of vibrance and energy. 

I did not so much had direct involvement in the community in Sydney but more so as supporter. An example was the Yolanda Typhoon Appeal I gave a hand together with Ms Lilian Delos Reyes and Mr Rod Dingle as volunteers.

In Darwin back in late 90s I was part of Hiyas ng Lahi Bayanihan Dance troupe. We performed  Filipino cultural folk dances in many different Filipino and Australian events and celebration during the presidency of Mr. Sam Marquez and Mr. John Rivas (now NT Philippine Consul General) of FAANT -Filipino Australian Association in Northern Territory.

 

 

What do you consider fondly as to be your achievements overall?  On the flipside what challenges have you coped with?

There are 3 cities in the world that I fondly have achievements in different aspect of my career, life experiences and people I met while living in Darwin, London and Sydney. 


Two things I had to find the hard way both in Sydney and Darwin was first trusting too much of people I have consider friends and to be always best and double the effort in workplace/career progression.

What advice can u give someone who is settling in a new country/stste?

Say heaps of prayers in your everyday life. Be humble and be at your best at all times.

What are your observations of the impact of COVID 19 to the Fil-Aus and the wider community in The Northern Territory?

I would say that we Fil-Oz here in Darwin and entire NT Northern Territory are lucky and blessed to have 0 Zero Case COVID19.  It must be because of the urgent action of our NT government. Also the compliance and the discipline of all Territorians in regards to COVID19 Health protocols.

It is very sad to know that many people have suffered in this world's pandemic. I have friends who have been stood down and some have completely lost their jobs.

I myself also experience the impact of this pandemic being stood down from my work at the hotel for four months. In a way this lockdown have given me the opportunity to spend more time with family and catching up with household chores plus my passion of cooking and eating that caused me to put on weight. Hahahaha.

As we all know Pinoys are very resilient in many challenges that may come into their life. Fil-Oz NT have been ma-diskarte helping and supporting each other especially those who are in need most like our Filipino International Students through Bayanihan Project of FAANT. Donations and support come from our kababayans and other community sectors here in Darwin.

Last, what is your definition of "success"?

SUCCESS to me is no matter how life can be difficult as long you have a peace and happiness in your heart and enjoying the company of friends and family. It is also being able to share your blessings with others.

 

ABOUT LORENZO STA MARIA

Lorenzo Sta Maria was born on 22 March in Pasay City.  His parents hail from Pasay City.  His father, Majen had passed on while his mother Charing is still a sprightly 90+ lady who still enjoys joining activities of the seniors group in Darwin.

Lorenzo and Mum Charing at 2018 Philippined Independence Day celebration

The youngest of seven children, Lorenzo has three sisters and three brothers.

He studied  Bachelor of Business at the De La Salle University in Manila. In the Northern Territory University now known as the Charles Darwin University, he completed Diploma in Accounting and Financial Management. He also undertook Hospitality and International Hotel Management in the London School of Business - UK.

He has spent most of his work career in the banking and hospitality - hotel management areas.



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