The Philippine Community Council of NSW (PCC-NSW) celebrated its three decades of long-standing service to the Australian Filipinos in New South Wales with an Evening Ball held at the Diamond Ballroom of the Blacktown Workers Club on the 12th June 2021.
PCC-NSW is a non-profit organisation established in 1990 to serve the interests of the Filipino-Australian community and promote its welfare. PCC-NSW functions as the umbrella organisation which coordinates with other community affiliates and organisations with a similar purpose. It is duly recognised by both Philippine and Australian government entities and officials. Due to the height of COVID-19 infection in 2020, PCC-NSW moved its 30th-anniversary celebration this year.
The occasion coincided with the 123rd Independence Day celebration of the Philippines as well as the year-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Philippine-Australian bilateral diplomatic relation.
The event was sponsored by the award-winning real estate agency QFirst Invest and was graced by our Ambassador to Australia, the Honourable Hellen De La Vega. The Australian Minister for immigration, the Honourable MP Alex Hawke was unable to attend the occasion at the last minute however, MP Kevin Connolly, Member for Riverstone joined in the momentous event. The invocation was done by the President of the Australian Filipino Association Maridel De Claro and the Welcome address was done by the incumbent President of PCC-NSW, Alric Bulseco.
The address was followed by messages from the Premier of NSW, the Honourable Gladys Berejiklian (on pre-recorded video), the Honourable Hellen De La Vega and MP Kevin Connolly.
A Ceremonial toast followed suit and a video presentation highlighted the milestones of the PCC-NSW over the three decades of community service.
Support and affiliation of three Filipino-Australian organisations with PCC-NSW over the past decades namely: the Ilocano Association of Australia, the Illawarra Filipino Multicultural Women’s Group and the Order of the Knights of Rizal were recognised and each was presented with a plaque trophy.
Services of former presidents of the organisation were also recognised and their presentation was led by the President of the Australia Philippines Association of Illawarra, Rebecca Hansen. Internal and External Vice Presidents of PCC-NSW, Darell Swadling and Cesar Bartolome, respectively, also gave their words acknowledgements on the celebration and performances of affiliates. Ausmin Cultural Performers and Ms Lillian delos Reyes entertained the attendees with dance and music. Furthermore, QFirst Invest, with its own fashion models, showcased clothing designs of well-known Filipino fashion brands Plains and Prints and Karimadon. The ceremony was mastered by Rod Dingle.
PCC-NSW’s past key activities, services and engagements
- Forums and conferences on issues helpful and relevant to the Filipino-Australian community (migration laws, anti-discrimination, domestic violence, taxation, investment, negative gearing, employment, micro-financing, aged care, healthy eating, diabetes, senior first aid and fire safety)
- Participation to multicultural celebrations, sports events and festivals
- Assistance to fellow immigrants, Filipinos in the Philippines in need as well as victims of natural calamities and pandemic (Philippine typhoon, Australian bushfire and Covid-19)
- Courtesy meetings and events to welcome Philippine dignitaries (President Corazon Aquino, President Fidel V Ramos, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and President Benigno S Aquino, then Vice-President Joseph Estrada, Senator Chiz Escudero, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Blas Ople, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, Congressman Raul Daza, Congressman Roque Ablan Jr., Vilma Santos, visual artist Alwin Reamillo, global runner Cesar Guarin and governors and congressmen from the Calabarzon region and mayors from North Cotabato)
- Projects promoting Philippine-Australian trade and supporting Philippine tourism
- Celebrations of key historical events, culture, tradition and language
- Multi-media educational projects in collaboration with ABS-CBN Foundation benefitting Philippine schools (Sta. Paz Elementary School (Leyte), Bangaolian Elementary School, Marihatag Central Elementary (Surigao del Sur), Lalawigan Elementary School (Samar), Daniw Elementary School (Laguna), Cantillian East Elementary School (Surigao del Sur) and Mazawalo Elementary School (Leyte)
- Government appeals, proposals and submissions (inclusion of Filipino language in HSC, establishment of community hall in Rizal Park Campbelltown, advocacy on Social Security Reciprocal Agreement and the opposition to the repeal of Section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act)
- Assistance and support to Filipinos in personal need (Juriel Amora prosthetic fitting, Leukaemia patient Jan Michael Matunog and teen boxer Robin Palileo)
For enquiries and more information on PCC-NSW, go to www.facebook.com/PCCNSWInc.
