The National Alliance of Respectable and Responsible Associations (NARRA) and Plaza Filipino successfully held the Pamana Ball at Liverpool Catholic Club to celebrate seventeen honourees as Ambassador of Culture and the Arts 2025 on February 2, 2025. This was the 8th year that the event paying tribute to individuals who have contributed to the Filipino-Australian community and beyond, through their respective fields of expertise and through various community organisations was held. The event also raised funds towards building a community centre and supporting other initiatives of the group.
At the event which is referred to as the Pamana Ball, the ladies present looked elegant, with the gentlemen also looked equally dashing in their Philippine costume or formal attire. There was a festive atmosphere as they happily mingled, exchanging congratulatory wishes and greetings for the New Year. The guests enjoyed the music played by the popular Re-Groove Band comprised of Fil-Aus husband and wife artists as they entered and find their respective tables.
The events commenced with the singing of the Philippine and the Australian national anthems, followed by the invocation by Saria Sarias, one of the honourees. Next were the warm welcome remarks by NARRA’s President Fredisinda Buchlak and the inspiring message by Consul General of the Philippine Consulate Sydney, Hon. Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil.
Consul General Aviquivil thereafter inducted the 2024 officers of NARRA Coop Ltd. Later in the evening, she also inducted the officers of the NSW Australia Philippines Business Council which is composed of a number of NARRA officers and past and present Ambassadors of Culture and the Arts.
The other official guests from the Consulate were Sir George Prudente, Consul Sheila Marie Tario and our new Cultural Officer Rowena Garcia. Other VIPs were Brian Laul, Founder-Director of Good Morning Macarthur and Campbelltown Citizen of the Year 2023; Grace Liston, President of Philippine Community Council NSW and other special invitees which included George Votava, Vice President of NSW Australia Philippines Business Council Julianne Lee, Vice President of Calling Businessman Association Inc. (VoKAB - Voice of Korean Australian Businesses Sandra Lee, Calling Businessman Association Inc. (VoKAB - Voice of Korean Australian Businesses).
This year’s honourees have done us proud as Ambassadors for Culture and the Arts. They are:
Female – Rita Chua Agostino, Saira Arias, Marilou Bautista, Annabelle Regalado Borja, Jesil Cajes, Rose Bolor Lay, Shera Tiongan-Matias, Kris Nepomuceno, Violeta Perez
Male – Edward Banting, Erwin Bernarte, Napoleon Guines, Royce Lucero, Joseph Carlo Magno, Joel Queyquep, Emmanuel Recio, John Tantoco
For their individual information and photos, check out the ACI Central Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ArtsCultureInnovationCentral
All the Ambassadors of Culture and the Arts 2025 were presented with a plaque as a recognition of their achievements and contributions to the community and advocacies. Violi Calvert, past Ambassador and one of NARRA PROs introduced the honourees to the audience and read out an excerpt of their published bios.
There was much excitement in the air when the awards and the specia titles were announced. They were as follows.
Most Achieved Ambassador – Atty Jesil Cajes
Role Model Ambassador – Atty, Shera Tiongan-Matias
Most Popular Ambassador of the Night -Joel Queyquep
4th Runner Up – Annabelle Regalardo-Borja; Napoleon Guines
3rd Runner Up –Emerita Chua Agostino; Joe Magno
2md Runner Up –Atty Jesil Cajes; John Tantoco
1st Runner Up – Rose Bolor Lay; Erwin Bernarte
Charity King - Joel Queyquep
Charity Queen – Marilou Baustista
Grand Winner of Ambassador of Culture and the Arts 2025 - Joel Queyquep
Best Dressed Female - Kris Nepomuceno
Best Dressed Male Joel Queyquep
Most Popular Ambassador on the Night- Joel Queyquep
The awards and plaques were presented by the past Ambassadors of Culture and the Arts, with the Grand Winner being presented by Consul General Aviquivil, Consul Tario and Precy Buchlak.
An additional special feature of the event was the induction into the Hall of Fame of Dr Jaime Lopez. This special award was presented by Consul General Aviquivil, NARRA President Fredisinda Buchlak, Plaza Filipino President Josephine Tada and last year’s Hall of Fame inductee Daisy Ann Cumming.
Among other things, Dr Lopez has been recognised for all his work as the founder and leader of several organisations, including NARRA Co-op Ltd and Global Ilocanos Australia Inc., which have provided critical assistance to new migrants and promoted Filipino arts and culture. His leadership helped secure properties for the Arts, Culture and Innovation Centre, a space dedicated to cultural activities, meetings, and community education. Dr Lopez has also been honoured with numerous awards, including the Premier’s Volunteer Recognition, Zest Award for Outstanding Community Leadership, and Lifetime Achievement Awards from Saint Louis University Alumni Association. He was also a finalist for the Global Bayaning Pilipino Award for his tireless dedication to his community.
The event was also enjoyed by all present with the cultural dances performed by Aus-Min Dancers, the PASA Dancers and Evelyn Lustre, with the ASG Dancers doing a modern dance. The singers who enthralled the audience included Edward Banting (Honouree), Jojo Sebastian, Meong Dado, Lillian de los Reyes and Marcus Rivera. The Re-Groove Band also provided entertainment and the dancing music.
The program was kept lively and flowing by the Emcees comprised of Edinel Magtibay Dearden (SBS Broadcaster), Marcus Rivera (NARRA Director and popular singer and stage actor) and Ronna Guzman (one of NARRA PROs). The Production Team was led by Charles Chan (NARRA Director & APCO President) with the able assistance of husband-wife team Tess and Jay dela Cruz (NARRA members) and Joel Tungcab (NARRA VP) undertaking the technical aspects. Joel Tungcab also led the exciting part of the drawing of raffles with the assistance of Michelle Baltazar (Grants Director), Fredisinda Buchlak and Carmen Frazer (NARRA Secretary).
There were people who performed important role behind the scene and were not present in the evening. One of them was NARRA Past President Albie Prias was heavily involved from the start of preparation for undertaking of the recognition of honourees but was unable to attend due to health reasons. Another one was honouree Annabelle Regalado Borja who was still in Manila as her mother passed away; our condolences to the whole family. Annabelle’s Plaque and 4th Runner Up Award were received on her behalf by her son Samuel.
Plaza Filipino President Josephine Tada delivered the Closing Remarks before the last modern dance number which was followed by public dancing to the accompaniment by the Re-Groove Band.
Pamana Ball 2025 was a successful event on many levels. Not only did it celebrate the achievements of the Ambassadors of Culture and the Arts but also it raised funds towards the establishment of a community centre and other projects, gathered the community together in celebrating Filipino culture and provided a memorable occasion for all present. Several attendees expressed their support and wish to participate in next year’s event.