Dr. Reynaldo Dante G. Juanta OAM
Adelaide’s Ethnic Radyo Pilipino Incorporated better known as Radyo Pilipino won accolades during its 2015 Fundraising dinner-dance to help keep the program on air. It presented a creatively choreographed 30-minute show that featured two cultural segments termed “Evolution of Filipino Costumes” and “Rigodon de Honor”. The short colourful evening presentation was held on Saturday, 19 September 2015, at The Marche Club, in Paradise, S.A.
Special guest of honor and speaker for the evening was South Australian Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Zoe Bettison MP. In her brief remarks, she gave tribute to the pioneering spirit of persons behind the first Filipino language radio program aired in Australia. Minister Bettison extolled the resilience of Radyo Pilipino and congratulated it for marking this year its 37 years of continuing service to the community in Adelaide, highlighting values of education, current news and information, Filipino language and culture within and outside of the studios of Multicultural Radio 5EBI.
Other invited special guests were the Mayor of West Torrens City the Hon. John Trainer OAM, also the Mayor of Campbelltown, Mr. Simor Brewer and wife Nina, a member of SA Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission Ms. Gosia Skalban, the Chief of Staff in Ms. Bettison’s office, Mr. Paul Tsoundarou, the Philippine Honorary Consul General Mr. Mark McBriarty and wife Lirio, and a Member of SA Legislative Council, the Hon. Tung Ngo.
Close to 400 guests filled the hall to capacity. To the delight of the audience, particularly to many with limited knowledge about the country, segments of Philippine history and its people and some selected scenic spots of the Philippines were shown on a large screen in sequence accompanied with narration.
Participants came out to the stage on cue from the narrator and did their cultural numbers. All were dressed up in costumes to depict the times in Philippine history – tribal, pre-Hispanic, Spanish era and contemporary period. Rudina “Nini” Sielaff’s own collection of fashion dresses she herself designed and created put colour and splendor to the evening cultural show.
The show was a team effort. The cast was a good mix of community members residing in various suburbs around Adelaide. Radyo Pilipino executive members, broadcasters and a host of volunteers did it together!
Radyo Pilipino Executive Members are: Celia Guillermo- President; Rose Howland- Vice President; Juanita Lacar Portman- Secretary; Marita Macalalad- Treasurer; Executive members- Sonny Directo; Luzcel Camacho and Ester Wenzel.
Evolution of Filipino Costumes: Rudina “Nini” Sielaff – Fashion Designer Lourdes Duenas Blinco – Director; Rose Howland – Master of Ceremonies, Narrator; Juan Paolo Legaspi – Narrator; Jayson Celerio; Rommel Olson – choreographers; Jun Macalalad – sound and light; Darren Smith – Videographer; Francis Faurtorilla, Zeev Cossid – Photographers; Siony Gardiner, Mary Jane Hallam – Wardrobe assistants and Edith Morales Jackel – Hair and Makeup.
Evolution of Filipino costumes presenters: Abigayle Mamauag, Angelo James Velos, Celeste Mercado, Celina Mercado, Cherry Velos, Chris Velos, Christina Lien, Cielo Mercado, Cynthia Vallejo, Daniel del Pilar, Daniel del Pilar, Gita Cruz, Guillaume Leroux, Hanna Hallam, Inday Allen, Isabel Cruz, Jayson Celerio, Jessica Cruz, Jomar Mata, Jon Scott Nairne, Joseph Soliven, Juan Paolo Legaspi, Justin Reeve Mata, Lourdes Duenas-Blinco, Marlou Smith, Maura Gray, May Ramirez, May Soliven, Maya Razon, Nica Razon, Nicolas Juanta, Nila Thiele, Norm Rathman, Rhyni Razon, Rica Mata, Rommel Olson, Rose Demeo, Sally Seaton, Teresita Burrell and Wanika Gordo
Rigodon de Honor Performers: (Cabeceras or head pairs) Dr Reynaldo and Mrs Corazon Juanta, Mr and Mrs Jun and Marita Macalalad, Celia Guillermo and Rommel Olson and Juan Paolo Legaspi and Christina Lien
Costados (side pairs): Mr and Mrs Louie and Cynthia Vallejo; Mrs Violie Leslie and Jayson Celerio; Ester Wenzel and Roger Domingo and Lourdes Duenas-Blinco and Daniel del Pilar
