Filipino students, families, and community members came together at the Whitlam Leisure Centre in Liverpool on 17 May for the biggest edition yet of Tulong Liga, an annual sports and fundraising event organised by the Filipino Student Council of NSW (FSC NSW).
Now in its third year, the event drew more than 200 attendees, including players, volunteers, and supporters. Two teams competed in basketball and volleyball matches, while the day also featured performances by Filipino-Australian artists.
Staying true to its goal of combining sports with community giving, Tulong Liga 2025 raised over $3,500 in support of Bantu PH, an organisation that helps underprivileged youth in the Philippines. This brings the event’s total fundraising to more than $6,300 since it began in 2023.
In the sporting results, Team Kabayan won the volleyball match 3–1. The basketball game saw a post-match score correction, confirming Team Barkada as the official winner, 79–71.
Individual players were also recognised for their performances:
- Volleyball Mythical Six: John Paul Duremdes, Thomas Ibe, Daren Santos, Kevin Taguiba, Frances Timog, and Cayden Yosua
- Special Volleyball Awards: Hannah De La Peña Cabruian (Best Receiver), Kevin Taguiba (Best Server), Jeren Cariño (Best Blocker), John Paul Duremdes (Crowd Favourite)
- Basketball Mythical Five: Julius Macasil, Patrick McCarthy, Liam Naylor, Russ Sulit, and Riahne Vasquez
- Basketball MVPs: Patrick McCarthy (Kabayan), Liam Naylor (Barkada)
Between matches, the event also served as a platform for creative talent. Artist Justin Anda, featured on Triple J Unearthed, performed an original song. Shayna Veloria debuted her single Is This Love?, while Sharmaine Stewart, who opened for Hev Abi in Sydney last year, performed at the basketball halftime. Two volleyball players, Maddoux Panaligan and Patrick Felipe, also surprised the audience with a guitar-and-vocal set.
Tulong Liga continues to grow under the leadership of event director Christian Rose. “This isn’t just a charity event,” Rose said. “It’s an experience that brings together sports, culture, and community for a greater cause.”
The event, which began as a single basketball match in 2023, has now expanded into a full-day sports and music festival. From an initial crowd of 92 attendees raising $884, it has become one of the flagship activities for Filipino students in NSW.
This year’s event was supported by community partners, including Variant Productions, WorldRemit, OurDNA, Youth Amplified, PAMAI, Philippine Airlines, Hoops Sports Performance, Megaworld Sydney, MVA Financial Services, and New Roots Aussie Finance, as well as local businesses such as Inigo’s Kitchen, Descanso Cafe, Greenknowe Cafe, and Infinity and Beyond Productions Inc.
The Filipino Student Council of NSW is a network of student organisations that aim to empower Filipino students, promote culture, and build community in New South Wales.
