Members of the Filipino-Australian community in New South Wales gathered on 12 October at the Mount Druitt Hub for a special event hosted by the Philippine Australian Community Services Inc (PACSI).
As part of the ongoing PACSI Community Connection Program, the event aims to share important health information and provide a space for community members to ask questions and engage with experts.
The Community Connection Program, supported by a grant from the NSW Government, focuses on helping people who may feel socially isolated to build connections, access services, and form supportive networks. The first session in the series, titled “Food Stories,” centred on the dietary habits and health concerns of Filipinos in Australia, with more sessions planned in the future.
Two guest speakers, Dr. Della Maneze and Dr. Maria Mares, led the discussions, each offering insights into key health issues faced by the Filipino community.
Dr. Della Maneze, a Filipino doctor and lecturer at the University of Wollongong, explained the high risk of Type 2 diabetes among Filipinos living in Australia. She pointed out that Filipinos are more likely to develop diabetes than people from other backgrounds, which can also lead to heart disease. “This is especially concerning in Western Sydney, where many Filipino migrants live,” said Dr. Maneze. She emphasised the importance of healthier eating habits and warned about the hidden sugars in common foods.
Dr. Maneze also shared findings from research done by Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, showing that while most Filipinos eat breakfast regularly, their meals often lack essential nutrients like calcium, fibre, and vitamins.
Dr. Maria Mares, a nursing expert and recent PhD graduate from Western Sydney University, focused on the importance of understanding and managing chronic conditions like heart disease. She explained that better health knowledge can lead to improved self-care, especially for those living with long-term health issues.
Dr. Mares also gave a simple overview of My Health Record, Australia’s national digital health platform. She showed attendees how to access their records and explained why keeping them updated is so important, particularly in case of emergencies.
The event ended with a Q&A session, where attendees had the chance to ask questions and seek advice from the experts. PACSI, with the support of Stephen Bali MP and the LSCA grant, plans to continue providing valuable health information and support to the community through future sessions of the Community Connection Program.
[Report and photos by Jade Cadeliña]
