The Concerned Members of Philippine Fiesta of Victoria Inc (CMPFVI) will hold “People Power to Save the Laverton Property”, a Bush Dance fundraising event. The BYO event will be held on 31 August 2013 at the Church Hall of Our Lady Help of Christian, corner Nicholson and Barkly Streets in Brunswick.
Maina Walkley, leader of CMPFVI, told The Philippine Times that the fundraising event will gather Filipinos who believe in the two major causes of Concerned Members. “First is that the Laverton Property is worth saving for the general Filipino community; and second is to restore the integrity of the Philippine Fiesta of Victoria Inc as a responsible organisation in our community,” she said as she invites the entire Filipino-Australian community to save the Laverton property to benefit not only the present generation but the future generation of Filipino-Australians in Victoria. “If none of us care about Laverton Property and do not do anything about it now, then who will?” she asks.
The fundraising event will have bush and dance music by a live band, and a brief presentation by Philip Salanguit about what the Concerned Members are fighting for.
As to the Miss and Mrs Philippine Fiesta Beauty Quest 2013 which to date has already organised events for their presentation, Walkley expressed disappointment that the candidates, their families and supporters “will be used simply by Ross Manuel and his group as in the past for NOTHING! We feel sorry for those who are participating and have participated all throughout the 10 years Ross Manuel has been in office for they have nothing to show for their efforts and for all the monies they have raised.”
As to the forthcoming Philippine Fiesta celebration this November, she believes that the decision to attend or not is really up to the people.
Not wanting to divulge the group’s actions about Manuel’s decision to expel them as members of the Fiesta, Walkley is appealing to the Filipino community to save the Laverton Property and the Philippine Fiesta of Victoria Inc. “This is for the sake of our future generation!” she said.
