2012 APCO Freedom Day Ball

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FREEDOM DAY BALL

Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations Inc. Affiliates
Abra Association of Australia • Agoenians Association • Australia Philippines Network
Inc • Australian Filipino Business & Workers Club Inc • Association of Filipino Australian
Accountants • Association of Filipino Teachers and Academics • Baguio Colleges
Foundation Alumni Association • Bulakenos and Friends • Cagayanos Association •
Calapenos and Friends • Charismatic Prayer Group • Club Filipino Illawara Inc • Concerned
Citizen for over 50’s • Ex DBP Employees Association of Australia • Filipinas-Petals • Pilipino and
Friends Association, Inc • Fil-Oz Liverpool & District Inc • Flagcom and Friends • Global Ilocanos
Australia Inc • Global Ilonggo Australia • Harvest Mission • Illawara Fatima Devotion Group • Illawara Filipino
& Multicultural Women’s Group • Kalingawa Cultural Dance Group • Kapitbahayan Cooperative Ltd • Leon
Aguila Association • Maharlika Inc • Mindanao Association of Australia • Mindanao Ethnic Dance Group •
Minto Prayer Group • MPC Cumbacheros • Newcastle Prayer Group • Nueva Viscaya Ethnic Association
• Philippine Australian Society For Senior Citizens, Inc • Philippine Talent Society • Plaza Filipino Inc • Pilipino
Club of Australia • Praise Family Apostolate • Professional Association of Filipino Australians • Radio Kawayan
• Radio Mabuhay • Radio Rizal • Radio Tamaraw • Rhythm in Partners • Sedgwick Housing Cooperative
Ltd • Sizzling Filo • St Declans Parish Choir • Sunday Harmony Dance • Surigaonon and Friends • The Filipino
Australian Consumer • The Isabela Association of NSW • The Philippine-Australian Friendship Association, Inc
• Ugnay Kabayan Inc • United Pangasinan Association • UST Alumni Association • Visayan Association of
Australia Inc • Wattlegrove Prayer Group • Hundreds of Individual Members

APCO Leaps Forward
Introduction
Three years have passed since several very dedicated, active and committed community organisations were summarily
suspended by the other community federation during its rigged non-elections and AGM. Following this shameful event,
organisations that were not suspended but did not approve of dirty community politics withdrew their membership from
the latter and joined the suspended organisations in forming the Alliance of Philippines Community Organisations, Inc.
APCO presents a better alternative state umbrella organisation that adheres to democratic principles, operates with
greater transparency, promotes social inclusion and leads by example.
Achievements
In line with APCO’s objectives, the following activities and accomplishments were successfully completed during the
period November 2011 – April 2012:
A) Leadership Citations
1. APCO President, Dr Cen Amores was appointed on18 Jan 2012 as People of Australia Ambassador by Prime
Minister Julia Gillard for her outstanding work in building strong and cohesive local communities
2. Dr Cen Amores and Jo Bonto of Sedgwick Housing Coop were appointed as members of the Filipino Ministerial
Consultative Committee by the NSW government to act as a conduit between the community and the government
3. APCO President, Dr Cen Amores was awarded on 2 March 2012 as one of the outstanding Women of the West by
the University of Western Sydney in recognition of her leadership and contribution to Greater Western Sydney
4. Ruben Amores of Kapit-bahayan Coop Ltd received 2012 ZEST Greater Western Sydney Outstanding Voluntary
Community Leadership Award
5. APCO affiliated ASCON’s “Flavour of Auburn” won Outstanding Project in CALD Group/Community/
Organisation and KCL and its pioneering Canley Vale Affordable Housing Project were commended as Outstanding
Voluntary Community Organisation and Exceptional Partnership project respectively in the ZEST awards.
B) Humanitarian Emergency and Livelihood (HEAL) Program
1. Provided financial and relief goods donations to Typhoon Sendong victims
2. Provided financial assistance to Maconahon High School, Isabela Province through Isabela Rotary Club
3. Provided financial assistance to ITAnudan (Kalinga) Progressive Views and Thoughts Organisation
4. Provided initial financial assistance to the Ilocos Sur Mission Cooperative Hospital and APCO Board approved to
provide more assistance in future
C) Advocacy
1. Participated in the Sydney Alliance Forum on Sydney Transport System.
2. Participated in conducting a survey with users of the rail transport
3. Represented APCO at the ‘No Nuclear Waste in Lidcombe’ forum at Auburn
4. Attended state dinner reception of
Gov Gen of Australia, Quentin Bryce to
Celebrate International Women’s Day
5. Ongoing negotiations for more
affordable housing to the coop sector
D) Arts and Culture
1. Participated as members of the cast,
production crew and narrator in the Rizal
Quenticentennial Radio Festival initiated
and directed by Mars Cavestany, APCO
Secretary
2. Helped produce Radyo Mabuhay,
Radio Tamaraw, Radio Kawayan and Radio
Rizal
3. Mindanao Ethnic Dance Group
(MEDG) performed and won an award at
Fiesta Kultura
People of Australia Ambassador
Member, Filipino Ministerial
Consultative Committee
Founding President, Alliance of
Philippine Community Organizations, Inc
APCO ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Founding President, Kapit-bahayan
Cooperative Limited
Founding Chair, Auburn Small
Community Organisation Network
President, Sedgwick Housing
Co-operative Limited
Founding President, Global Ilocanos
Association of Australia, Inc

4. Supported ‘Arts from the Heart’ Exhibits of Plaza Filipino in Bankstown
5. Performed at ‘Adhika’ Tribute to Filipino Media
6. Performed at Visayan Association of Australia’s 2011 Beauty Pageant
7. Performed at Club Filipino Illawarra’s Dinner and Dance function
8. Helped coordinate ‘Flavours of Auburn’ as performers and emcees and prepared Filipino food for tasting by the
multicultural community
9. Performed at Mardi Gras 2012 Queen of the Night of FLAGCOM and Friends
10. Coordinated the Kapit-bahayan Coop’s cultural program at the launch of its Canley Vale Affordable Housing
Project
11. Endorsed ALFA’s ONE cd fund- raising for Typhoon Sendong’s victims
12. Performed at the Launch of Toongabbie Legal Centre
13. Assisted at Soft launch of Rizal Radio Festival, Blacktown Max Webber Library
14. Supported Eagle Song Concert of Praise Family Apostolate
15. Supported Pilipino Club of Australia’s Fund Raising for Typhoon Sendong’s victims
16. Attended Hot Mamaz’, Bicol Inc and Kalatas Christmas Parties
E) Attendance to Multicultural Communities and Government Bodies
1. Premier’s Harmony Dinner
2. Gala Presentation for CRC National Marketing Awards
3. African Culture Festival
4. Harmony Forum of Hindu Council of Australia
5. Launch of Toongabbie Legal Centre
6. Breakfast Reception in honour of Ambassador Belen Anota
7. Funeral rites for the late Lourdes Wilman
8. Participated in various LGAs public consultations
F) Capacity Building
1. Organised ‘Writing Successful Grant Application’ workshops in partnership with KCL and Western Sydney
Community Forum
2. Delivered the topic ‘A Community Partnership to Solve Housing Crisis’ for KCL at Auburn Community Development
Conference organised by Auburn City Council
3. Co-hosted with Auburn City Council and KCL a study tour of Japanese local government officials
The APCO Board
Seated Front Row: Emylee Tuzon (Auditor), Mir McCauley (Snr VP), Jhun Salazar (President), Gerry Musa (Jnr VP),
Josephine delos Reyes (Treasurer) • Standing from left: Emma Braceros (Director), Glorina Papaioannou (Director),
Violy Miguel (Director), Lee Meekan (Director) Rudy Reyes (Director), Marx Canoy (Director), Mars Cavestany
(Secretary), Amor Ramos (PRO), Linda Trinidad (Director), Cora Perez (Director)

F
TANYA DAVIES MP graduated in physiotheraphy. She worked in the education system as a trainer/
teacher in the University of Western Sydney, Macquarie University and Western Sydney Institute of
TAFE.
Tanya was successfully elected to Penrith City Council in 2008, then as a local member for Mulgoa for
the NSW Parliament in 2011.
Tanya with Mark and daughter Laura, live in Glenmore Park. She is very passionate in serving and
helping people and in building strong, safe and caring communities.
ilipiniana Contest
BOARD of JUDGES
BRYAN DOYLE MP served with NSW Police Force for 27 years and later became the Chief
Inspector of Police of Campbelltown. He was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to policing and
community, the National Medal and the NSW Police Medal.
Bryan was elected as the Liberal Member for Campbelltown in 2011 with a record swing of 21.8%. Brian
and wife Sharon and two daughters, has lived in Campbelltown since 1986. He is a keen historian and has
family links going back to the convict history of Campbelltown.
Bryan has a Master of Business Administration (Charles Sturt University), a graduate Certificate in
Management (Uni of Wollongong) and a Bachelor of Laws degree (UTS).
KEVIN CONOLLY MP was elected to the NSW Parliament representing Riverstone for the Liberal
Party in 2011.He is currently the Deputy Chair of the Community Services Committee and Co-Chair
of both the Filipino and Sri Lankan Ministerial Consultative Committees. He was elected to Hawkesbury City
Council in September 1999 when he served as Deputy Mayor from 2001 to 2004.
Kevin was a school teacher for 14 years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales,
a Graduate Diploma in Education (Administration) from the Australian Catholic University and a Graduate
Diploma of Religious Education from the Council for Christian Education in Schools. He worked for the Catholic
Education Office prior to entering state politics
Kevin has called Bligh Park home for over 20 years with his wife, Cathie and six children.
NERIA SOLIMAN hails from the Bicol and is a writer and author of 4 books on Food, Nutrition and
Culinary Arts. She was the Founding Chairperson of St. Scholastica’s College Alumnae, founding member
of Hot Mamaz, BICOL, Inc and ADOLP. She is also a member of Toastmasters International, the Association of
Civil Marriage Celebrants of Australia and a Justice of Peace.
Neria was awarded as Filipino Master Chef by the NSW Multicultural Communication Services and conducts
lecture on PINK of HEALTH. Her regular column and writings in newspapers are mostly focused on Healthy
Cooking, as part of her on-going project to combat the Obesity Epidemic in Australia. She was the president
of the PCC-NSW, Inc in 2005.
A resident of Hassall Grove, Neria is an INDEPENDENT candidate for Ward 5 of the Blacktown City
Council election in September 2012.
VALERIE TOLOSA is the Chairperson of the Freedom Ball Filipiniana Costume Competition
for the second time, Valerie is one of the most successful Filipino young designer-enterpreneurs in
Sydney. She is not only a very talented fashion designer but also very generous by consistently donating
prizes to many Filipino community events and charities. Valerie is the Owner of Valerie VT Tolosa Pty
Ltd. She studied in KVB Institute of Design and St Leo’s College.
BHAJUNE MALONZO is a hair and make-up artist extraordinaire. He successfully owns
and manages two beauty shops “Bhajune Hair and Make-up Artist” in Westfield Parramatta
and Mt Druitt. A very supportive tutor to fellow Filipinos who are starting their career in the beauty
industry, Bhajune attributes his success to excellent customer service and keeping up with the
trends in the industry. For many years, he has been consistently supporting community events
and charities through his generous sponsorships.

Remembering Manang Lourdes Wilman
By: Dr Cen Amores, APCO Founding President
Before my family left for our Christmas holiday last year, I felt a very strong urge to
visit Ate Lourdes at Wollongong Hospital. Along with a group of Ilocano friends,
we sang Christmas Carols at her bed side. Although she had lost weight, she looked
extraordinarily beautiful and peaceful! She was even asking if there are some more
fund-raising tickets to sell! While singing softly with us, she held my right hand
tightly as if sending a message – please stay. I was overcome with grief on our way
home. I felt the emptiness in my heart and had a strong feeling that it was the last
time I saw Ate Lourdes.
I still remember the time we decided to walk out of the other community federation’s
rigged ‘non-election’. Her organisation was among those summarily suspended by the hastily held “kangaroo
court”. She was so embittered, shattered and devastated. She felt totally betrayed by the people whom she
trusted! She understood and supported our decision to walk out in protest of dirty tactics used by the other
party “to win at all cost”.
To provide moral support to the organisations that were summarily suspended, I hosted a meeting for their
leaders and members alike. Ate Lourdes attended. She felt she was not alone. That was the time APCO was
established, upon the suggestion of the late Rosa Taboada and unanimously supported by those present.
More meetings followed and on one occasion, Ate Lourdes proudly whispered to me in Ilocano, “Sayang,
gimmatangak ti nagpintas nga Filipinia-nak ngem diak to met mausaren ta saan tay met nga ag-attend ti
Independence Day Ball-en” (I bought a beautiful Filipiniana outfit, but unfortunately, I shall not be able to use
it because we shall no longer be attending the Independence Day Ball). I replied, “Manang Lourdes, idulin mo
latta dayta napintas nga Filipinianam. Siguradoak nga mausar monto met laeng ta mangbuangay tay to met iti
independence ball tayo” (Just keep your beautiful Filipiniana outfit for a while. I can assure you that you will be
wearing it when we organise our own independence day). Suddenly, her eyes brightened and in her jubilation,
she promised to bring more people from Wollongong. Three months later, we held APCO’s 1st Freedom Ball.
True to her promise, Ate Lourdes invited many community leaders, friends and relatives from Wollongong and
hired buses to transport them to the venue. Her love for beauty and flair for fashion was recognised by winning
the “Best in Classical Filipiniana” competition!
Ate Lourdes’ community commitment and loyalty to APCO is incomparable! She never faltered in her promise
to actively participate and support APCO and its affiliates’ projects and activities. In meetings, she was always
ready to share her thoughts and generous advice. Her charming and convincing ways made it easy to win
people’s support.
May all those whose lives were touched by Ate Lourdes’ generousity and commitment for community service
keep her memories alive. We want Ate Lourdes’ family to know that her legacy will live on. She will always be
remembered as one of the pillars of the Filipino-Australian community and APCO!
The Mindanao Ethnic Dance Group
The APCO Choir

Pre Judging Committee
(Filipiniana Competition)
Souvenir Program
Committee
Production and Staging
Committee
Invitation Committee
Reception and House Mgt Commi
Pre-Judging Committee: Daisy Cumming, Cen Amores (Chair), Lind
Cavestany, Myrma Lopez, Sarah Salazar, Josie Musa, Rudy Reyes • Produc
Committee: Emma Braceros (Dance Choreographer), Mars Cavestany (
Linda Trinidad (Choir Master), Charles Chan (Production and Stage Managem
(Dance Choreographer), Albert Prias (Audio-Visual Supervisor/Finale Stagin
Perez (Logistics) • Invitation Committee: Rachel Zarate, Daisy Ann Cumm
Cen Amores (Chair), Loi Tagudin, Gerry Musa, Mars Cavestany, Ruben A
Lopez • Souvenir Program Committee: Cen Amores, Gerry Musa (Chairpe
Jhun Salazar, Ruben Amores, Mars Cavestany • Reception and House Mgt C
Ramos, Cora Perez, Mariam McCauley (Chairperson), Cleo Baltazar, Lee Me
Josephine Maynard, Ferlin Babac, Jo Bonto, Myrma Lopez, Nhu Tran, Cora Boja
• Solicitation & Sponsorships Committee: Tessie Canoy, Violy Miguel, Glo
(Chair), Cen Amores, Lee Meekan, Juliet Vella, Marx Canoy, Daisy Cumming,
Bojarski, Zeny Piosik, Myrma Lopez, Jimmy Lopez, Judith Broad, Josephine May

Seated Front Row: Tessie Ramos, Cora Bojarski, Juliet Vella, Pet Storey, Emylee Tuzon, Emma Braceros, Glorina
Papaioannou, Lee Meekan, Nhu Tran, Charles Chan • Seated Second Row: Sarah Salazar, Rica Sey, Josie Musa,
Linda Trinidad, Cen Amores, Mars Cavestany • Third Row Standing from left: Rey Morcilla, Ed Escultura, Cora
Perez, Larry Perez, Josie Maynard, Gerry Musa, Judith Broad, Marx Canoy, Mellie Valdez, Roberto Sacilloto,
Noemi Ognilla, Josephine delos Reyes, Amor Ramos, Jimmy Lopez, Jhun Salazar, Daisy Cumming, Victor Valdez,
Rudy Reyes, Ruben Amores, Violy Miguel, Albert Prias, Zeny Piosik, Violy Escultura, Mir McCauley • Standing at
Center back row from left: Michelle Baltazar, Cleo Baltazar, Myrma Lopez, Jacqui Perales, Jo Bonto, Edna Voros
ttee
a Trinidad, Mars
tion and Staging
Artistic Director),
ent), Rudy Reyes
g Director), Larry
ing, Jhun Salazar,
mores and Jimmy
rson), Josie Musa,
ommittee: Amor
ekan, Zeny Piosik,
rski, Sarah Salazar
rina Papaioannou
Rey Morcilla, Cora
nard, Jhun Salazar
Solicitation and Sponsorship committee

Congratulations & Best Wishes!!!
to
ALLIANCE OF PHILIPPINE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS INC.
for
THE 114 TH CELEBRATION OF
PHILIPPINES INDEPENDENCE DAY
THE FREEDOM BALL 2012
from Rey Morcilla & Family
At the same time congratulating Raychelle for completing a 5 year Double Degree
in just 4 years at the University of Sydney NSW. She finished a Bachelor of Science
Degree (Anatomy and Histology Majors) and a Master of Nursing Degree.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF
PLAZA FILIPINO INC.
WARM GREETINGS TO THE ALLIANCE OF PHILIPPINE
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ON THE
CELEBRATION OF THE 114TH PHILIPPINES
INDEPENDENCE DAY – “THE FREEDOM BALL 2012”
and
Congratulations once again to Plaza Filipino Incorporated
for co-organising the successful “Art from the Heart”
painting exhibition early on this year.
This is one attractive, worthwhile and achievable
vision of the future widely shared by the Plaza Filipino
Executive Board - to showcase the range of
Filipino talents at its finest.
OFFICE BEARERS
PRESIDENT………………….. REY MORCILLA
VICE PRESIDENT……………. DAISY CUMMING
SECRETARY………………….. RISE ROUX
TREASURER…………………... MARIA BOCK
DIRECTORS/ADVISERS
JIMMY LOPEZ
VIOLY MIGUEL
MANUEL ROUX
96 ADELPHI ST. , ROUSE HILL, NSW 2155 • Ph. 8883 0510 Mo. 0466 158 884
http://plazafilipino.org

GLOBAL ILOCANOS AUSTRALIA, INC.
(An Affiliate of Alliance of Philippine Community Organizations Inc)
1/13 Sedgwick St Leumeah NSW 2560 Tel No 0434 541 691
Congratulations to APCO President Jhun Salazar
& Chef Marx Canoy for his cookbook “ MC’s Food
Feast: Traditional to World Class Philippine Cuisine”
SPECIAL TRIBUTE to our dearly departed members
Lourdes Wilman, Dr. Erlinda Verzosa & Felisa Roux
2012 OFFICERS AND COORDINATORS
President – Dida Garin • Vice President - Myrma Lopez • Secretary- Sylvia
Pettersson • Treasurer - Emma Braceros • Directors: Marissa Collins, Jimmy
Lopez, Lilia McKinnon
Coordinators: Sydney – NSW: Ruben Amores, Lee Meekan, Violy Miguel, Rey
Morcilla, Glorina Papaiannou, Linda Trinidad, Emylee Tuzon
Coordinators: Wollongong – NSW: Jane Bauske, Pitz Dorninger, Yolanda
Piercy, Carmen Thompson

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Alliance of Philippine Community Organizations Inc (APCO) Officers and Members would
like to thank our special guests, sponsors, donors, advertisers, performers, committee
members and production number participants and friends who made our Freedom Ball 2012
a big success.
Prize Donors – Plaza Filipino Inc (original painting of Dennis Monte), Vibe Hotel, AICL, Visayan
Association of Australia, Global Ilocanos Australia, Maynilad Band, Philippine Airlines, Travel
Access, LBC, Star Buffet Restaurant in Campbelltown RSL, Bhajune Hair & Make up, Salon
Julieth, Valerie Tolosa, Ruben and Cen Amores, Emma Braceros, Josephine de los Reyes,
Myrma Lopez, Josephine Maynard, Mir McCauley, Lee Meekan, Mick & Violy Miguel, Rey
Morcilla, Gerry & Josie Musa, Cora Perez, Sarah Salazar, and Linda Trinidad.
Sponsor and Advertisers – Western Union, Kapitbahayan, Smart mhits, AICL, Illawara Medical
Services, USTAA and Club Filipino Inc, Rey Morcilla and family, Visayan Association of Australia
Inc, Fil-OZ Liverpool and District Inc, Brenda de la Sala, Revesby Press, Segwick Housing Cooperative
Ltd. Mike’s Discount, V Mobile/V Nichols, Enelra, Rose of Sharon, LBC, Travelaccess,
Revesby Press, Australian Filipina, Flagcom & Friends, and Global Ilocanos Australia Inc.
Two Return Airline Tickets to the Philippines (Silent) Auction Committee - Josie & Gerry Musa,
& Radio Kawayan Team - Jake & Cecille Lapuz, Hazel & Obet Urqueza & Nic & Girlie Sode
Another Filipino–Australian housing coop rises!
The Sedgwick Housing Cooperative at Leumeah is the first to be registered in the past 15 years and marks a
mammoth achievement after a year of preparation between the tenants and staff at CENSW.
Ian Sinnett, CEO, says, “This is an incredible achievement that marks the growth and new vitality in the sector.
Besides establishing Sedgwick Housing Cooperative, we are preparing other groups for registration with the
Registrar of Cooperatives this year and our existing cooperatives are also growing in size.”
The President of the Co-operative is leading the preparation for a celebration in June to mark this achievement.
He says, “This has been a busy few months and the product of members’ hard work with the guidance of
CENSW staff.” Sedgwick Housing Cooperative is now the 33rd coop to participate in the CENSW scheme.
SEDGWICK HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED OFFICERS AND MEMBERS
President: Jimmy Lopez • Vice President: Jo Bonto • Secretary: Violy Escultura •Treasurer:
Josephine de los Reyes • Directors: Rebecca Noriega, James Quinto, Mike Teodoro Public
Officer: Emma Braceros • Members: Myrma Lopez, Lina Bautista, Czarina Noriega, Ed
Escultura, Cleo Baltazar, Nono Remotigue and Julie Teodoro
Thanks to CENSW and Kapitbahayan Co-operative Ltd!