The Australian Philippine Business Council (APBC) held their Christmas/end-of-year event and I was honoured to have been invited by no less than the APBC President, Mr. Raffy Toda. The event was held last 3 December 2024 at the Fullerton Hotel, Martin Place, Sydney. It was a night of understated style and elegance with who’s who in business in attendance.
Most of the Philippine Consular officials were present: Consul General Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil (Sydney), Consul General Odette Salcedo (Melbourne), Consul Frances Cleofas (Sydney), Ms. Pura Molintas (Philippine Tourism Attaché), Krystle Ramirez-Gastrock of Philippine Air Lines. The special guest was Mr David Smith, MP, Federal Member for Bean and Ms Hk Yu, Ambassador to the Philippines, greeted the audience via a video message.
Also noteworthy were the Filipino companies who have made it here in Australia: ACEN Energy, a part of the Philippines’s Ayala Corporation, which is investing heavily in Australian renewable projects; and Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), one of 34 Port Terminals around the world owned and operated by its Philippine parent company ICTSI. The phase 3A expansion program was launched during President Marcos’ visit to Australia in March 2024.
Mr. Raffy Toda, APBC President took to the stage to welcome the list of dignitaries on the night. He also took the opportunity to highlight the most notable achievements of the organization for 2024.
“The APBC’s main objective has been to support both the Philippine and Australian government in fostering trade between our nations,” Mr Toda said. He proudly stressed, “it’s been a record year for APBC with membership up by 20% and attendance for events increasing by 44%.”
“We have fostered engagements and developed relationships with nine departments at Secretary and USec levels – including – DTI, DOT, PNOC, DOE, DA, NDC, DFA, CHED and DOTr. We have also engaged with the Freeport Zones Authorities including PEZA, SBMA and BCDA,” Toda said.
A highlight of the year was the State Visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Melbourne and the business forums that ensued.
According to Mr Toda, APBC has synergies and alignment on the Australian side with the SEA Strategy Plan and is focussed on the 4 pillars identified by Australia for the Philippines which include:
- Agriculture and Food Security
- Education and Skills
- Resources
- Green Energy Transition
Throughout the year, APBC has partnered with and supported numerous Missions and Forums such as:
- In Education –participation in Austrade’s Mission last May and hosted a Forum last October in partnership with La Trobe University, Melbourne;
• In Green Energy Transition – a forum held that same afternoon in partnership with EY supporting strategic investments for green energy transmission.
Under the leadership of Mr Toda, APBC also participated in Austrade’s Business Exchange Mission to Manila last September; and the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce’s (ANZCham) Business Mission to 3 cities in Australia last August.
Special guests for the evening were producers of Explorer TV travel series, Trevor Cochrane and Stevie Jacobs (TV personality and former Channel 9’s weatherman) who shared a short video episode promoting tourism in the Philippines. The show was produced in collaboration with Philippine tourism and captured their experiences in the Northern Philippines.
“The Philippines is under-explored,” said Stevie Jacobs. “The people are wonderful,” he added.
Last year, Mr Toda launched a 12-part video “A Taste of the Philippines” with food and travel guru, Yasmin Newman. The series which was shown on SBS featured Filipino chefs and restaurateurs and highlighted the regional sights and flavours of the Philippines.
In 2025, APBC will be celebrating its 50 years of service. It definitely will be a year to look forward to.
That milestone year, 2025 may be fast approaching and APBC will no doubt continue down the business venture highway. “APBC will forge ahead and build relations for the mutual benefit of the Philippines and Australia”, said Mr. Toda. He also took the opportunity to thank the current and past directors of APBC.
Next year (2025), plans are already brewing for:an Agriculture Forum is scheduled to be held in Adelaide in February 2025; and a Resources Forum in Brisbane with our partners, Austmine in May.
This year’s event was hosted by Michelle Baltazar. One thing worth noting was that the meal was served with a Filipino touch – ‘pan de sal’ was served and an ube cake for dessert. Kudos to those who thought of it!
Likewise, APBC thanks their Gala Sponsors: Rockwell Land, Philippine Department of Tourism, Philippine Airlines, Solaire Resorts Entertainment City and QC, ACEN Energy, BMD Group, Work QC and Pitcher Partners.
(Information digested from Mr. Raffy Toda’s speech.)
