Filipino-Australian achievers were recognised at the Philippine Gala and Awards Night on 25 October 2014 at Novotel Sydney Parramatta Hotel for their outstanding individual contributions and services. The Gala and Awards Night is the highlight of the 13th National Conference organised by the Filipino Communities Council of Australia (FILCCA), the peak national organisation of Filipino-Australians headed by Aida Garcia. It was hosted by the Philippine Community Council of NSW (PCC-NSW, the umbrella state body headed by Jose Relunia Jr) which was held from 24 to 26 October 2014 with the theme “Facing the Future Together”. It was attended by over 200 delegates from NSW, ACT, VIC, SA, QLD, TAS and WA.
Ignatius was presented the Filipino-Australian of the Year Award for his exemplary achievements as a major event organiser, producer and scriptwriter and artistic director. He was the Executive Producer/Creative Director of the Vivid Sydney Festival 2014 with a record attendance of 1.43 million. He was at the helm of Vivid Sydney Festival since 2011. He also took over the artistic direction of the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade from 2011. Among his major events as an organiser, director and writer are: the 2000 Sydney Olympic Ceremonies (a Helpmann awardee for Best Event in 2001), 2006 DOHA Asian Games Ceremonies, 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games ( Emmy Awardee for Best Direction, Best Lighting and Best Music) and Opening of Shanghai 2010 World Expo. Acclaimed as one of the world’s leading major event directors, creative strategists and event scriptwriters, Ignatius was born in Singalong, Manila. He trained in classical ballet, theatre, television, journalism, rock music, jazz and then focused on major event productions.
2014 X-Factor Australia winner Marlisa Punzalan was also honoured for her outstanding musical performances in X-Factor Australia.
Other recipients of the 2014 FILCCA Awards are:
Alfredo Roces, Manuel Asuncion, Carmen Garcia, Nestor Jongko and Flocefina Cruz as Filipino-Australian Achievers; Mark Feliciano and Nathan Carmel Pamogas as Youth Achievers; Campbelltown & Region Filipino-Australian Communities Council (NSW), Philippines Language School of Victoria, Ipswich Filipino-Australian Association (QLD), Rondaniha (ACT), Sampaguita Dance Group (SA) and Australiasian Club of Mandurah (WA) as outstanding Community Organisations; Efren Altez, Sulpicio Cordero, Fedelina Donaghue, Sherlita Hart, Joy Robinson and Marino for Leadership. Special awards in appreciation and recognition of their community initiatives and service were given to Melanie Vallejo (Star of TV Series “Winners and Losers”), Ofelia Leadbeater, Gigi Kalong and Sennie Masian.
Gracing the Awards Night were government officials including Ambassador Belen Anota, Under Secretary Lesley Cordero from the office of the President of the Philippines, Consul General Anne Louis, Tourism Attache Consuelo Jones, Labor Attache Atty Sabulao, MP Concetta Wells, MP Michelle Rowland, MP Geoff Lee and Lord Mayor Scott Lloyd; TV Celebrity Monica Trapaga (known for her role in the TV Series “Play School”).
The FILCCA Awards commenced in 2000 during the 6th Filipino National Conference which was held in Sydney. Previous Filipino-Australian of the Year awardees are: Kate Ceberano, Craig Wing, Reinhard Badato, Arianne Caoili and Rudy Gomez.