The Philippine Times (TPT) is the longest-running Philippine newspaper in Victoria and in the span of 31 years of existence, the paper has had the opportunity to be in an audience amongst other media organisations to cover high-ranking Philippine officials on state visits, Government officials, luminaries and outstanding Filipino achievers. But in July, we received an invitation to have an audience with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews MP, at the Waterman Business Centre in Chadstone. It was an opportunity we couldn’t miss, and for which our team prepared extensively.
TPT recently became the first multicultural newspaper to meet exclusively with the Premier of Victoria, and he is the first Premier to meet with The Philippine Times in our more than three-decade history. He was given an insight into the evolution of the TPT by Publishers Alice Nicolas and George Gregorio, while Jason Cordi spoke about the recent challenges experienced by multicultural print media due to the pandemic.
After an exchange of pleasantries, and an extensive interview we conducted with him, Premier Andrews thanked The Philippine Times for our contribution to the community. He said, “You have, as a trusted voice, as a very much respected voice in your community, you’ve been able to help us get the message out – help people stick together, help people look out for each other, and stay safe, and play a part in everyone staying safe. Because less cases means less pressure on our hospitals, means less pressure on our nurses. Getting vaccinated, listening to science, not getting into some of those conspiracy theories and down those rabbit holes. Trusted voices are incredibly important for that. So, we are genuinely grateful to you.”
“COVID reinforced for us just how important that trusted voice is. Just how effective multicultural media can be in getting positive messages out there. And it’s not just in times of great stress and challenges, it can be much more positive than that as well,” he added.
TPT gave the Premier greater insight into Victoria’s growing Filipino community. He extended his deep gratitude to the community for their contributions. “We’re humbled by the example the Filipino Victorian community sets – that sense of family, sense of connection, sense of community, hard work, always striving for excellence, always achieving, always giving back. It’s a community that can be proud of its contribution to multiculturalism, and to the prosperity and the success of our state. And for you to be their voice, that does you great credit as well,” he said.
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