Philippine Australian Ambassador for Culture and the Arts Recognition Night 2016

Warm greetings to all!
It is with great pleasure and honour to welcome you all to the Recognition of Ambassadors
for Culture and the Arts for 2016 and the Upclose & Personal Concert featuring our very
own Roanne Monte (Miss Saigon London) and Dexter Villa (Jesus Christ Superstar)
We had the Ambassador for Culture and the Arts in February 2015 and Tribute to Fathers
and Mothers in September 2015 which generated a significant number of supporters to our
‘Legacy Program’. The events did not only give NARRA Co-op Ltd a good exposure but also
made the Co-op financially viable. As of 31 January 2016, we have $70,000 Cash in Bank,
and $110,000 Subscribed Capital Stock.
Our ‘Savings and Loan’ friendly concept as a way of helping our members in times of need
was implemented and well accepted by our members.
Our application to Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission was approved.
This is in addition to our Charitable Fundraising Authority Number CFN23092 which was
renewed for another 5 years by the Office of Liquor and Gaming.
Special thank you to Dennis Monte and Daisy Ann Cumming for the Feeding Programs we had in the Philippines and the Shoe
Box Toys for Children Project.
Our sincere appreciation to the Ambassador for Culture and the Arts Honourees especially to Dr Raul Amor and Carmenchu
Gresham for their valuable time. This Recognition Night is a very successful and memorable event because of their efforts and
participation.
We have achieved so much in a very short time and gained a lot of support too.
Let me finish by thanking you all and I look forward to honouring the next batch of Ambassadors next year.
(Sgd) Jimmy R Lopez, PhD, CPA
President, NARRA Co-operative Limited.
Best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell once wrote, “Cultural legacies are powerful forces. They
have deep roots and long lives … they play such a role in directing attitudes and behaviour that
we cannot make sense of our world without them.”
What a great way to explain why it is important to preserve our rich Filipino culture even as we
call Australia home.
Supporting and appreciating Philippine art, music or even cuisine is not just an exercise in
nostalgia, it is a powerful expression of who we are as Filipino-Australians: migrants with worldclass
artistic talents, exceptional work ethic and, not least, a strong sense of civic duty.
I see these very same traits in this year’s roll-call of Ambassadors for Culture and the Arts,
individuals who have done so much through their contribution to the community and excellence
in their respective fields of endeavour. A recognition night is the least we can do to show
our thanks and gratitude. You only have to turn the pages to the brief description on each and
everyone of them to say, “I’m proud to call myself a Filipino-Australian!”
From the ambassadors to the event’s organisers, I would like to acknowledge the officers and
members of Plaza Filipino, Inc. and NARRA Co-operative Ltd for making tonight’s festivities possible. Yes, I think it is only fitting to call
it a ‘fiesta’ given that there will be much celebration, with the added privilege of witnessing the talents of our very own world-class artists,
Roanne Monte and Dexter Villa.
I also would like to acknowledge the associations’ supporters: Plaza Filipino only exists through its members, volunteers and fundraisers.
A special mention goes to Daisy Ann Cumming, Jimmy Lopez and all of the founding members and Past Presidents. On behalf of this
year’s Board of Directors, we are humbled to be following your footsteps and hope to continue your tireless work with the same verve and
focus.
To paraphrase Gladwell, we can only make sense of our future by honouring our past. To that end, a hearty congratulations to our 2016
Ambassadors for Culture and the Arts. May your lives continue to be enriching, empowering and inspiring.
(Sgd) Michelle Baltazar
President, Plaza Filipino Inc