Aida Garcia, a lawyer and a registered migration agent based in South Australia, was re-elected as President of the 13th National Conference of the Filipino Communities Council of Australia Inc (FILCCA) held on 24-26 October 2014 at Novotel Hotel, Parramatta in Sydney. “I lead by example. I believe in trust, respect, communication and transparency. I have no hidden agenda in wanting to be once again be the President. I am a people person and my heart always been directed towards the poor and disadvantaged member of the community, here and in the Philippines,” she told The Philippine Times about her re-election to lead FILCCA, the umbrella body of Filipino organisations in Australia.
Garcia said that the topics discussed during the conference was timely and relevant to the current situation of Filipinos in Australia and in the Philippines. “The feedback we received from the conference topics were excellent and well received. I need to acknowledge the contribution of Carmen Garcia for putting together the conference guidelines and the plenary session topics taken up during the conference,” she said.
The other elected officers for 2014-2016 were: Perlita Swinbank – VP External (FCC ACT), Cecille Wheare – VP Internal (VIC), Roberto Lastica – VP Youth (NSW), Cholly Winter – Secretary (SA), Serna Ladia – Treasurer (NSW) and Dante Maribbay – PRO (WA). The following were named State Council Representatives: Ben Hur Winter – FSCC SA Inc, Dante Maribbay – PCC WA Inc, Perla Leutic – FCC Vic Inc, Mena Edmondstone – FCC Qld Inc, Florence Talbo Parker – Luzviminda, FCC Tas Inc, Jose Relunia Jr. – PCC NSW Inc Cecilia Flores – PCC ACT Inc. and Elizabeth Garrett – Public Officer (FCC ACT).
Making a difference to the lives of the poor
A professed volunteer for charity works even way back as a student in the Philippines and as a president of many organisations, Garcia’s re-election for yet another two years as a national president of FILCCA including four team members, who were likewise re-elected, speaks volume to the kind of leader she is and those whom she is to work with. When asked what she feels leading FILCCA again, she said, “Everyone knows that the position is only voluntary and in fact can sometimes be a thankless and stressful job but somehow my commitment and love for the Filipino community transcend all of that negative expectations.”
Given Aida Garcia’s leadership background through charitable works, it would not come as a surprise that she herself was once an awardee of Global Filipina Women’s Network Award as one of the Most Influential Women of the World. Awardees, such as herself, were asked to prepare and deliver a 14-word speech on the eve of the awards night. Her speech elicited a resounding applause: “Family Community oriented, committed, inspired, dedicated, unrelentless, focussed, leader, volunteer, advocatur, at your service!”
When asked what were the 14-word speech was for, she stated: “The 14 words is a reflection of me, the people I value, the feelings I have, and who I am and what I am prepared to do. Yes, I am happy to have been re-elected because I have two more years to make a difference to the lives of the poor and disadvantaged Filipinos in the Philippines and continue to advocate for Filipinos in Australia in areas like migration, pension portability, etc.”
Fastracking charity works
Bearing this year’s theme of “Facing the Future Together” after the aftermath of the world’s strongest typhoon, Haiyan, which hit the Philippines late last year, one of FILCCA’s objectives is to help those worst affected families of the calamity and coordinate the national efforts to rebuild the country through the maximisation of raised funds and shipped goods. However, raising funds has often been attributed to take time and effort but in order to address this issue, the state council re-activated FILCCARD which is meant to be a seed fund for natural calamities, disasters, or similar socio-environmental issues which can be used immediately to send assistance without going through the trouble of having to raise funds for those who are afflicted. Presently, FILCCARD is aimed at providing relief and rehabilitation of the victims of Bohol earthquake and super typhoon Haiyan and possible future calamities and disasters that go beyond the Filipino community should needs arise.
Targeting the youth to become future leaders
Garcia said FILCCA will continue to advocate for Filipinos in Australia and to lobby for pension portability. The group will also target the youth sector. “In the next two years, we hope to inspire the youth and mentor them to become active members and participants of FILCCA and be in a position to take over the helm of FILCCA leadership. I always believe that one cannot be a leader forever and that it is necessary to pass on leadership to the younger generation and this could only be achieved by making them want to be in the group rather than forced them to be in the group. That would be a big task to do but we hope to be able to inspire the younger generation to want to be in FILCCA, starting of course from their own state councils,” she explained, noting that FILCCA is not forgetting the ageing population. The Philippine pension portability, she said, will cater to Filipino seniors who prefer to live in Australia when they retire. She asked, “Are we ready to face the challenge of our ageing Filipinos?”
(Photos by Jade Cadelina, Rolly Ferrer and FILCCA)
