Interview Archive 2016
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RFA audio resources in this online "Interview Archive" are the
original full versions of the shortened interviews which were broadcast via the live airways. RFA is proud to provide you with a comprehensive historical audio record of great Filipinos and friends, living in Australia, the Philippines and around the world. |
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#148 - RFA Interview:
Fr Luis Viovicente, Parish Priest
St Monica's, Evatt, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) (Dec 2016)
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Fr Luis Viovicente is the jovial and famous priest at St Monica's, Evatt in Canberra who started last year the very successful Simbang Gabi masses within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
These masses before Christmas pack out the church every night and draw many hundreds of Filipino-Australians and other Catholic congregational followers They come from all parts of Canberra's society in this ever more densely populated city territory pushing at the edges of its border and further into the surrounding Capital Country region over the border into New South Wales (NSW) with its many regional township hubs and farm lands. |
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#147 - RFA Interview:
Tina Rañoso Bangel,
One Voice Inspiring Young On-Stage Artists For
Any Venue in Sydney and around the World
Being Proud, Loud and Heard! (December 2016)
Listen to Tina Rañoso Bangel as she talks to RFA with her sophisticated celebrity Sydneysider accent.
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Music is a window to the soul, and Tina Rañoso Bangel from Sydney helps open the window of opportunity to many souls who wish to enjoy the sound of music.
Ms Bangel provides professional singing lessons for all ages, with a particular focus on developing the talent of the young. Some of Ms Bangel's students have sang in supporting acts for Leah Salonga, the famous Filipino singer of Miss Saigon and Disney fame. To develop one's character there are many self-development training programs which teach people to speak up, speak out and be heard, whilst for Ms Bangel's "One Voice" training she teaches young and old how to sing up, sing out and be heard loudly and harmoniously. |
The "One Voice" website says:
"[One Voice has] the vision to help children and adults find their voice, embrace their uniqueness and give them the courage to sing out! [One Voice does this by] providing quality, friendly and professional vocal coaching private or group classes to strengthen your voice, your performance and your confidence."
Ms Bangel has travelled the world with her singing students, including to Hollywood and Universal Studios in the 'City of Angels', Los Angeles where they met up with big star media names such as Oprah Winfrey.
"[One Voice has] the vision to help children and adults find their voice, embrace their uniqueness and give them the courage to sing out! [One Voice does this by] providing quality, friendly and professional vocal coaching private or group classes to strengthen your voice, your performance and your confidence."
Ms Bangel has travelled the world with her singing students, including to Hollywood and Universal Studios in the 'City of Angels', Los Angeles where they met up with big star media names such as Oprah Winfrey.
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Ms Bangel also has another company called "Kindermusik". The Kindermusik website says:
Children thrive on music. It’s one of the best vehicles for learning in early childhood development. Kindermusik takes musical learning to the next level; our curriculum is proven to improve a child’s brain development. And for parents, it’s a fun thing to do with kids!" If you're a parent with young children, or if you just wish to discover and develop the power of music and singing within yourself then learning from fun, energetic and positive people such as Tina Bangel could be a life-changing experience. Ms Bangel just finished raising thousands of dollars with "Project Be Heard". The money will be used to fund a project film clip to "Inspire more children to not be afraid to be expressive and sing out." The motto of this project is that: "One Voice can change the world". |
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Ms Bangel also has another company called "Kindermusik". The Kindermusik website says:
Children thrive on music. It’s one of the best vehicles for learning in early childhood development. Kindermusik takes musical learning to the next level; our curriculum is proven to improve a child’s brain development. And for parents, it’s a fun thing to do with kids!" |
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If you're a parent with young children, or if you just wish to discover and develop the power of music and singing within yourself then learning from fun, energetic and positive people such as Tina Bangel could be a life-changing experience.
Ms Bangel has also just finished raising thousands of dollars with "Project Be Heard". The money will be used to fund a project film clip to "Inspire more children to not be afraid to be expressive and sing out." The motto of this project is that: "One Voice can change the world".
To take the inspiration of this another step further, RFA believes: "Many Voices can change many worlds, starting with your own."
*Note:
RFA would like to also acknowledge Annalyn Violata, an announcer for the Australian nation-wide Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) for putting RFA in contact with Tina Bangel. SBS is one of Australia's main television and radio broadcast networks. Annalyn does a fabulous job for SBS covering Australian, Filipino, and global news in Filipino language from SBS studio headquarters in Sydney.
Ms Bangel has also just finished raising thousands of dollars with "Project Be Heard". The money will be used to fund a project film clip to "Inspire more children to not be afraid to be expressive and sing out." The motto of this project is that: "One Voice can change the world".
To take the inspiration of this another step further, RFA believes: "Many Voices can change many worlds, starting with your own."
*Note:
RFA would like to also acknowledge Annalyn Violata, an announcer for the Australian nation-wide Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) for putting RFA in contact with Tina Bangel. SBS is one of Australia's main television and radio broadcast networks. Annalyn does a fabulous job for SBS covering Australian, Filipino, and global news in Filipino language from SBS studio headquarters in Sydney.
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#146-RFA Interview: Dr Deborah Wall,
Author of the book “Re-imagining Australia:
Voices of Indigenous Australians of Filipino Descent” (December 2016)
RFA Photo: Deborah Wall at her Canberra book launch, November 2016, in the Exhibition Gallery of the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA).
Dr Deborah Wall is a Filipino-Australian journalist and researcher who has specialised in Aboriginal Studies and oral history.
The Philippine Embassy of Australia along with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) recently organised a wonderful event at the Exhibition Gallery of the National Film and Sound Archive.
In front of a large distinguished audience of embassy officials, senior Australian government Department of Foreign Affairs Officials, media and special guests from across Canberra, the book “Re-imagining Australia: Voices of Indigenous Australians of Filipino Descent” was launched in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) by Dr Wall, author of the book along with co-author Dr Christine Choo.
The book recounts the story of 'Manila Men', the first migrant Filipinos to northern Australia in the late 1800s who worked in the pearling industry. A large number of Indigenous Australians are descendants of these 'Manila Men'. The narrators of the book superbly and skillfully represent the historical links and deep people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Australia.
RFA acknowledges Ber Umpacan and Mark Sierra for the three event photos below.
Dr Deborah Wall is a Filipino-Australian journalist and researcher who has specialised in Aboriginal Studies and oral history.
The Philippine Embassy of Australia along with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) recently organised a wonderful event at the Exhibition Gallery of the National Film and Sound Archive.
In front of a large distinguished audience of embassy officials, senior Australian government Department of Foreign Affairs Officials, media and special guests from across Canberra, the book “Re-imagining Australia: Voices of Indigenous Australians of Filipino Descent” was launched in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) by Dr Wall, author of the book along with co-author Dr Christine Choo.
The book recounts the story of 'Manila Men', the first migrant Filipinos to northern Australia in the late 1800s who worked in the pearling industry. A large number of Indigenous Australians are descendants of these 'Manila Men'. The narrators of the book superbly and skillfully represent the historical links and deep people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Australia.
RFA acknowledges Ber Umpacan and Mark Sierra for the three event photos below.
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Photo above left: Philippine Ambassador of Australia, Her Excellency Minda Calaguian-Cruz, standing with Dr Deborah Wall and Mr Allaster Cox, First Assistant Secretary, South-East Asia Maritime Division, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Photo above: Philippine Ambassador of Australia, Her Excellency Minda Calaguian-Cruz holding the book "Re-imaging Australia: Voices of Indigenous Australians of Filipino Descent", with author Dr Deborah Wall. Photo left: Looking down on part of the crowd at the exhibition gallery of the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA). |
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#144 and #145 - RFA Interviews
Bro Jun Sevilleno and Sis Joy de Torres,
El Shaddai, Canberra, ACT. (November 2016)
Photo: Sis Joy de Torres, Bro Jun Sevilleno visiting from Manila, and Sis Delia Luke.
The El Shaddai Canberra Prayer Group had their 17th Thanksgiving Anniversary on Saturday 26 November at St Michael's Church in Kaleen, ACT.
Fellow worshipers from Sydney, Wagga Wagga and Melbourne came to join in the whole day celebration. The Mass was celebrated by His Excellency, Archbishop Tito Yllana, the Filipino Papal Nuncio to Australia, assisted by Fr Loi Viovicente, the Filipino Parish Administrator in Kaleen.
The El Shaddai Canberra Prayer Group had their 17th Thanksgiving Anniversary on Saturday 26 November at St Michael's Church in Kaleen, ACT.
Fellow worshipers from Sydney, Wagga Wagga and Melbourne came to join in the whole day celebration. The Mass was celebrated by His Excellency, Archbishop Tito Yllana, the Filipino Papal Nuncio to Australia, assisted by Fr Loi Viovicente, the Filipino Parish Administrator in Kaleen.
RFA file photo: Archbishop, Most Reverend (Rev.) Adolfo Tito Yllana, Apostolic Nuncio to Australia - The Vatican's Ambassador. The Archbishop is originally from the Bicol region in the Philippines.
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The whole day celebration was filled with prayers, joyful songs and a special healing message by Bro Jun Sevilleno, a lay missionary from Manila.
El Shaddai, Hebrew for God Almighty, is the biggest Catholic Charismatic Renewal group in the Philippines. Founded in 1981 by a businessman, turned charismatic, “Brother Mike” Velarde, the El Shaddai movement is estimated to have over ten million adherents, not only in the Philippines but also in countries overseas where Filipinos reside. Next year marks the Silver Jubilee Celebration of El Shaddai Sydney Australia Chapter which will be held at Sydney Olympic Park Showground. The mass will again be celebrated by Archbishop Yllana and the healing message will be delivered by no other than the El Shaddai founder, Bro Mike Velarde. |
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#143 - RFA Interview:
Atty. John Dela Cruz, CEO and Founder of a Building Industry Software Company Makes it into the Bigtime Startups with Prestigious National StartCon Australasia Nomination. (Nov 2016)
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Attorney (Atty.) John Dela Cruz is an entrepreneurial Chief Executive Officer and Founder of a company called "Small Builders Building Software". The company is Sydney-based and has already spread around the Australian continent.
Mr Dela Cruz was born in Cavite, on the southern outskirts of Metro Manila. He moved at a young age to Sydney with his family. He has worked both as a government solicitor and as a lawyer in the private construction industry. He has a passion for the building and software industry. With his knowledge of the law, his skills in the building industry and high level of enthusiasm, he created an excellent software management package which covers pay, compliancy and organisational requirements for workers in the industry. |
This software creation by Mr Dela Cruz has now received national recognition. His company was selected as one of 5 finalists in the SaaS (Software as a Service) Category, for "Startcon: Australia's Ultimate Startup and Growth Conference". The Conference which will be held on Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th November at the Royal Randwick [pictured below], just a short drive from the Sydney Central Business District (CBD), has an impressive array of national and international business speakers.
If you wish to vote for Mr Dela Cruz's company you can go to the following website and make your selection.
With your help and support, from wherever you are in Australia or the world, he may just win the award. In any case Mr Dela Cruz's software is set to grow bigger as it may also start branching out into the international market.
https://www.startcon.com/awards
With your help and support, from wherever you are in Australia or the world, he may just win the award. In any case Mr Dela Cruz's software is set to grow bigger as it may also start branching out into the international market.
https://www.startcon.com/awards
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#142 - RFA Interview: Francis Sollano:
He's Got the Talk, the Walk and the Look! One Man's Trash is Another Woman's Fashionable Treasure.
World Recognised Sollano Upscales Second-Hand Trashion for
Truly Creative and Beautiful First-Hand Results (Oct 2016)
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Left: Francis Sollano stranding next to one of his trashion dress creations. Above a model wearing one of Francis' trashion creations.
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The Philippine Embassy of Australia is inviting people to an Exhibition and Art Installation by Francis Sollano at the Philippine Embassy Grounds.
HE'S GOT THE LOOK! Exhibition and Art Installation by Francis Sollano, Philippine Embassy Grounds, Canberra, 2 to 4pm, Saturday 05th November 2016.
Francis is known world-wide for his contemporary take on upcycling garbage into wearable art fashion and art installations. His work has been shown in major global cities such as London, New York, Paris, Tokyo and Bangkok.
HE'S GOT THE LOOK! Exhibition and Art Installation by Francis Sollano, Philippine Embassy Grounds, Canberra, 2 to 4pm, Saturday 05th November 2016.
Francis is known world-wide for his contemporary take on upcycling garbage into wearable art fashion and art installations. His work has been shown in major global cities such as London, New York, Paris, Tokyo and Bangkok.
Photos (Above and below) Above, Francis Sollano fourth from left, next to Hollywood Star Kevin Spacey, fifth from left, named as a Global Cultural Leader for the 2016 World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland. Below Leonardo DiCaprio was named as one of world's leading artists in acting and production.
Francis is a co-covenor and Executive Director of Youth for a Liveable Cebu (YLC) with a major focus on sustainable practice and liveability in communities. He received an award from the prestigious World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland as a "Global Shaper".
RFA Photo: Francis Sollano at a beautiful hotel in Canberra which is famous for its natural rain forest interior, Friday 28th October 2016.
Francis' art is an inspiration, so be sure not to miss this event from a significant "Global Player" in helping make our planet better.
To register for free copy goto this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/exhibit-and-public-art-intstallation-by-filipino-artist-francis-sollano-tickets-28446699845?aff=es2.
Francis' art is an inspiration, so be sure not to miss this event from a significant "Global Player" in helping make our planet better.
To register for free copy goto this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/exhibit-and-public-art-intstallation-by-filipino-artist-francis-sollano-tickets-28446699845?aff=es2.
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#141 - RFA Interview: Asia's Queen of Songs and a
Grand Dame of Australian Singing, Pilita Corrales,
Returns to Australia as she talks to RFA. (Oct 2016)
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The legendary Pilita Corrales, has returned to Australia once again for an entertainment tour of Australia. She now looks grander and wiser than when she first arrived in Australia with her stunning teenage (19 year old) looks as a shipwrecked boat person rescued by the Australian military in 1959 off the coast of Darwin onboard the luxury private yacht of a Hollywood star. However, her spirit is even stronger now and her enthusiasm shines through as she talks to RFA before one of her concerts in Sydney.
In the late 1950s, Pilita Corrales, a young Filipino singer from Cebu, met the American actor and magician, John Calvert, while performing in Manila. Calvert invited Corrales to board his yacht, the Sea Fox, and together they set sail for Singapore. After this they sailed in the Sea Fox to the great 'Land Down Under' in the southern seas, but days out of Darwin en route to Sydney, the Sea Fox ran into trouble and drifted without power for four days, until the Australian air force and navy came to the rescue. |
Above: The shipwrecked Sea Fox which sailed from Singapore to Darwin in 1959 carried Asia's Queen of Songs, who launched her bigtime singing and entertainment career in Melbourne, Australia.
Righ: The stunning Pilita Corrales on Australian Television 1959, aged sweet 19. |
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Pilita performed at Sydney's Empire Theatre. One of Pilita's adventures with Calvert include a newsreel of the couple drinking ‘jungle juice’ with a gorilla at Sydney’s Taronga Park Zoo. She also had a television appearance as a magician’s assistant and was a singer on the Bobby Limb Show in 1960. In addition to this she went on a trip to Tasmania, the birth place of another famous entertainer who sailed the seas, Erol Flynn (Erol went on to great Hollywood fame as a romantic playboy swashbuckler).
Calvert left Australia but Pilita fell in love with Australia and recorded love songs in English, Filipino and Spanish whilst making regular appearances across the airwaves on Melbourne's radio and TV. The beautiful Pilita featured on prime time Australian TV with an appearance on the Graham Kennedy Channel Nine show in 1961. She left her legacy by becoming the first woman to make the Australian pop charts with a local recording called 'Come Closer to Me'.
She became a star of the Victoria Television circuit and was billed as one of the Grand Dames of Victorian Radio and Television. The ABC television network featured Corrales and several pioneering female artists in Australia in the 2nd episode of the highly acclaimed TV special, Love is in the Air.
Through the personal invitation of Sammy Davis Jr., Pilita became the first Filipino to sing in Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, in the 1970s. Pilita has also performed with many other music greats such as Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Julio Iglesias, Engelbert Humperdinck and with the Beatles.
The Philippine Star Newspaper asked Pilita the following question in late 2012:
If you could reside anywhere in the world aside from the Philippines where would it be?
"... when I think about it more, Sydney is the only choice. I’ve lived there for quite a while, and my extended family is also there. It is a second home abroad."
Calvert left Australia but Pilita fell in love with Australia and recorded love songs in English, Filipino and Spanish whilst making regular appearances across the airwaves on Melbourne's radio and TV. The beautiful Pilita featured on prime time Australian TV with an appearance on the Graham Kennedy Channel Nine show in 1961. She left her legacy by becoming the first woman to make the Australian pop charts with a local recording called 'Come Closer to Me'.
She became a star of the Victoria Television circuit and was billed as one of the Grand Dames of Victorian Radio and Television. The ABC television network featured Corrales and several pioneering female artists in Australia in the 2nd episode of the highly acclaimed TV special, Love is in the Air.
Through the personal invitation of Sammy Davis Jr., Pilita became the first Filipino to sing in Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, in the 1970s. Pilita has also performed with many other music greats such as Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Julio Iglesias, Engelbert Humperdinck and with the Beatles.
The Philippine Star Newspaper asked Pilita the following question in late 2012:
If you could reside anywhere in the world aside from the Philippines where would it be?
"... when I think about it more, Sydney is the only choice. I’ve lived there for quite a while, and my extended family is also there. It is a second home abroad."
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An Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) documentary excerpt states that:
"Pilita was the first woman to chart with an Australian recording". "She crossed the world in a boat to become a star, eventually releasing over 135 albums." "The lesson for Australian women performers; fortunes are found for the brave, set sail if you want to make it, and expect the unexpected." |
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#140 - RFA Interview: Christian (Bong) Ramilo,
Executive Officer and Creative Producer, Darwin Community Arts, and Member of the Iconic and Legendary Rondalla Band,
Darwin, Northern Territory (NT) (October 2016)
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Christian (Bong) Ramilo is the executive officer and creative producer, for Frontline and Darwin Regional Arts Mesh, Darwin Community Arts.
He is also a member of the famous Darwin Rondalla Band which dates back to the swinging days of the 1930s before World War II and the bombing of Darwin by Japanese Imperial military forces. The rondalla is an ensemble of stringed instruments. It originated in Medieval Spain. It spread to the Philippines. The word rondalla is derived from the Spanish word ronda, meaning "serenade." |
With a wave a Filipino migrants spreading around the world they took with them their musical rondalla skills. During the 1930s the Darwin Rondalla Band was famous, performing for and also being funded by the NT Governor. Sadly, the band was devastated when the band leader John Cubillo was killed during the bombing of Darwin by Japanese planes - made up of forces which earlier attacked Pearl Harbour in Hawaii - whilst working at the Darwin Wharf.
Photo: The original swinging rondalla band in Darwin in the 1930s before the onset of World War II and the bombing of Darwin by Japanese imperial forces.
However, the legendary iconic stringed ensemble got back together and continues on down the generations including with a fusion of new blood migrating to Darwin. The tradition of the Darwin Rondalla Band remains alive with talented and dedicated Filipino-Australians such as Bong Ramilo.
Bong, studied literature and theatre at University of Philippines (UP) Diliman, Metro Manila and in Baguio City, in the Ilocos region of the northern Philippines. Bong moved from Sydney to Darwin in 1992 due to a research project with Gary Cubillo-Lee, the great grandson of Antonio Cubillo, from Bohol, Visayan region of central Philippines. This was arguably the first major performance project to explore indigenous Australian and Asian links.
In 1897 Antonio Cubillo came to Darwin and married a local woman, Lily McKeddie, from the Larrakia tribe. The Larrakia people are the traditional indigenous owners/custodians of Darwin. Antonio had a large family with his wife and the Cubillos, of mixed Filipino and Australian-indigenous Larrakia heritage, became one of the biggest, prominent and enduring families in Darwin's history.
Bong was instrumental in reviving the Rondalla band. Bong stayed in Darwin and became an executive officer of the Darwin Community Arts. His skills involve cultivating community development activities through the arts which builds stronger communities with a proud understanding of the links between Asian and indigenous Australian culture.
Listen to his interview to learn more about how he and other dedicated members are keeping Filipino culture and tradition alive in the Top End of Australia.
However, the legendary iconic stringed ensemble got back together and continues on down the generations including with a fusion of new blood migrating to Darwin. The tradition of the Darwin Rondalla Band remains alive with talented and dedicated Filipino-Australians such as Bong Ramilo.
Bong, studied literature and theatre at University of Philippines (UP) Diliman, Metro Manila and in Baguio City, in the Ilocos region of the northern Philippines. Bong moved from Sydney to Darwin in 1992 due to a research project with Gary Cubillo-Lee, the great grandson of Antonio Cubillo, from Bohol, Visayan region of central Philippines. This was arguably the first major performance project to explore indigenous Australian and Asian links.
In 1897 Antonio Cubillo came to Darwin and married a local woman, Lily McKeddie, from the Larrakia tribe. The Larrakia people are the traditional indigenous owners/custodians of Darwin. Antonio had a large family with his wife and the Cubillos, of mixed Filipino and Australian-indigenous Larrakia heritage, became one of the biggest, prominent and enduring families in Darwin's history.
Bong was instrumental in reviving the Rondalla band. Bong stayed in Darwin and became an executive officer of the Darwin Community Arts. His skills involve cultivating community development activities through the arts which builds stronger communities with a proud understanding of the links between Asian and indigenous Australian culture.
Listen to his interview to learn more about how he and other dedicated members are keeping Filipino culture and tradition alive in the Top End of Australia.
Photo: Bong Ramilo far right on stage in the Northern Territory of Australia with fellow Rondalla Band members.
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Photo: Rondalla band members standing on a cliff in Darwin.
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#139-RFA Interview: Anthony Castelo.
Legendary Ballad and Lovesong Singer (September 2016)
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Promotional Photo Left: Anthony Castelo, "He's Got the Look!"
Above: Anthony Castelo in his earlier singing days. |
The legendary heartthrob ballad and lovesong singer Anthony Castelo toured Sydney and Canberra for live performances in late September. Many adoring fans turned up to watch the great entertainment.
Whilst in Canberra Mr Castelo took the time to talk to RFA for a face-to-face interview. Not only is Mr Castelo a legendary lovesong singer and entertainment artist, he is also very passionate and knowledgeable about history. He has great praise for Australia and is very happy to be touring Down Under.
Be sure to listen to his great interview.
Whilst in Canberra Mr Castelo took the time to talk to RFA for a face-to-face interview. Not only is Mr Castelo a legendary lovesong singer and entertainment artist, he is also very passionate and knowledgeable about history. He has great praise for Australia and is very happy to be touring Down Under.
Be sure to listen to his great interview.
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#138-RFA Interview:
Orlando Vargas OAM (Order of the Medal of Australia),
Tamborine, Between Gold Coast and Brisbane, Queensland.
Mr Vargas demonstrates the great spirit of both the
Philippines and Australia (September 2016)
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Orlando (Orly) Vargas OAM, is a spirited high achiever who has made great achievements in community and work life.
Mr Vargas was born in 1951 in Amulang, Cagayan, near the far north western tip of Luzon island, at the top of the Philippines. His parents were German Vargas and Florentina Ricardo. He has 10 brothers and 3 sisters. In the Philippines Mr Vargas worked at the Philippine National Volunteer office, Office of the President, Manila. He received a Certificate in Community Development in UP Los Banos, Laguna, as well as a Master of Public Administration in the University of the Philippines (UP) in Manila. He moved to Australia as a skilled migrant in the 1980s and started his Australian working career in Queensland (QLD), with the QLD state government. He also obtained a Diploma in Local Government in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT). |
He currently lives within a short drive to both the Gold Coast and Brisbane. He works as a Senior Integrity Officer for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
Just before the interview with RFA, Mr Vargas had been deployed overseas as an Australian government representative to manage efficient control of people movement through Australia's borders.
Just before the interview with RFA, Mr Vargas had been deployed overseas as an Australian government representative to manage efficient control of people movement through Australia's borders.
Photo: Former Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce, 2003, awarding Orlando Vargas with one of Australia's highest civilian honours, the Order of the Medal of Australia (OAM).
Mr Vargas has worked tirelessly within Filipino community organisations in Queensland and also at the national Australian level. He is highly respected both in the Philippines and Australia for his great work, skills, energy, leadership, and hard-working spirit.
He has received many awards, and participated in high profile events which has included:
Mr Vargas has worked tirelessly within Filipino community organisations in Queensland and also at the national Australian level. He is highly respected both in the Philippines and Australia for his great work, skills, energy, leadership, and hard-working spirit.
He has received many awards, and participated in high profile events which has included:
- One of the highest civilian awards in Australia, the Order of the Medal of Australia (OAM) which was awarded to him by Former Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce, 2003.
- Queensland Multicultural Award, 1999, awarded by Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie.
- Receiving the Presidential Award for Outstanding Filipinos Overseas (Banaag Award) in 2000 from President Joseph Estrada.
- Moderator at the INFO 2000 Manila Conference attended by Outstanding Filipinos Overseas and co-ordinated by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.
Photo: Mr Orlando Vargas proudly pictured with his lovely family. Left to right: Glenn (son), Orlando, Dahlia (wife), Leilani (daughter) and Herbert (son).
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Photos: Australia's Manhattan on the Beachfront, or the High-Rise Dubai of the South Pacific, looking into the heart of Surfers Paradise Central [left] where the buildings reach close to 100 storeys high and you get your feet wet in the crystal clear blue Pacific after stepping out of your hotel. Surfers Paradise is part of the much larger Gold Coast City.
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Orlando Vargas OAM, lives in the beautiful and spacious hinterland area of Tamborine, Queensland, which is strategically located next to the Gold Coast and Brisbane City [above right], which is also much larger in metro area than the Gold Coast. Brisbane is the capital city of the Australian state of Queensland. The Gold Coast and Brisbane are joined together with an urban sprawl umbilical cord as they form a continuous built up metropolitan area, with their central business and tourist districts only approximately 100 kilometers apart. These two cities form one of the largest urban sprawl areas in Australia.
Photos: Nature's paradise - Waterfalls and Rainforest Skywalks at Mount Tamborine, near where Mr Orlando Vargas OAM lives, which is a short drive to the big cities of Brisbane and Gold Coast.
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#137-RFA Interview: Dr Merlinda Bobis, Wins Prestigious Philippine Literary Palanca Award in addition to one of Australia's Richest and Esteemed Literary Prizes. Dr Bobis was also recently nominated for an Australian Capital Territory (ACT) award as she is fast becoming an Australian Literary Socialite Celebrity. (September 2016)
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Dr Merlinda Bobis of "Fish-Hair Woman" and "Locust Girl: A Lovesong" fame has done it again with another prestigious award... this time for poetry!
Her captivating writing which immerses the reader into a kaleidoscopic world of alluring and dystopian landscapes, people, emotions, social and environmental values, culture, history, political allegories and futuristic fantasy is impressing judges world-wide. Listen to Dr Bobis talk once again to RFA as she wishes to share her stories, achievements and wisdom with RFA's Australian and global audience. 
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Photo: Dr Merlinda Bobis in front of a painting of Mt Mayon, the world's most beautiful cone shaped active volcano, located in Albay Province, Bicol Region of the Philippines where Dr Bobis grew up, and which is also the setting for some of her great literary works, such as "Fish-Hair Woman". This painting is in the house of Dr Vince Daria, a world-leading neuroscientist located at the Australian National University (ANU) who specialises in neuro-photonics which maps the human brain. Dr Bobis along with Dr Daria spent a great evening along with other invited guests and the Philippine Ambassador of Australia, Her Excellency, Minda Calaguian-Cruz, singing whilst the multi-talented Dr Daria played on his family grand piano. [Photo credit: Dr. V.Daria]
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#136 - RFA Interview: Indra Esguerra,
Chief of Staff for Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Greens Party, and Greens Political Candidate for Upcoming ACT Election.
(September 2016)
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Indra Esguerra is of Filipino-German-Australian heritage. Her father is Filipino and mother German. They moved to Canberra where Ms Esguerra was born, raised and educated. Ms Esguerra fondly talks about her childhood trips to the Philippines where her father's family owned a farm in the San Fernando,Pampanga region, north of Metro Manila.
She mentions about how she developed a strong sense of social justice whilst visiting the Philippines. She is very passionate and articulate about social justice and environmental issues. |
She has been Chief of Staff for the Greens Political Party in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) for many years. She is also a candidate for the ACT seat of Ginninderra in the Belconnen region of north-west Canberra for the upcoming ACT election.
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On the Greens website Ms Esguerra says:
"I've spent my whole life standing up for the environment and the community - and helping shape a more sustainable economy. After years of working in environmental NGOs and campaigns, I became an advisor in the ACT Legislative Assembly where I've worked for over ten years. I've also run a small environmentally-friendly business." |
Listen to the RFA interview to hear Ms Esguerra talk about her family background as well as her social justice and environmental beliefs which form a strong ideological base of the Greens political platform, and how she intends to represent the people of the ACT for the Greens Party.
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#135 - RFA Interview:
The Hot Celebrity Filipino-Australian Chef Couple
in the Nation's Capital, LOLO (Jay) and LOLA (Kim),
Share their Story and Secrets with RFA.
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Lolo and Lola were featured last week and have since caused a great stir!
Therefore, they are back again this week to talk to RFA in an interview so you can get to know them more. Proudly Serving High Quality Filipino Food in Canberra of a National and International Standard! |
They're humble, unassuming, fun-loving, young, energetic, good-looking, educated, skilfull and know how to serve up a tasty world-class treat of the Filipino kind. This popular celebrity couple from Manila, who moved to Perth, Western Australia, and now work in Canberra are happy to talk to RFA to share their story and secrets with the local Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding New South Wales (NSW) Capital Country listeners, as well as to RFA's audience in every state and territory of Australia, throughout the Philippines and around the world.
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#132, #133 and #134 RFA Interviews
Mega Independence Day and Diplomatic Events
Held in Canberra Over Four Days (17th - 20th June 2016)
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In attendance were past and present ambassadors from the Philippines, Australia and many other countries, a wide array of embassy and defence officials from around the world, Australian diplomats and foreign affairs staff, Australian politicians and a Philippine-Australian federal political candidate, a winner of one of Australia's highest literary awards, community leaders and many community members and friends from across ACT, bordering NSW and the entire continental nation.
This weekend past was one of the busiest of the Filipino-Australian calendar in Canberra for the year. There were four major events, one day after another starting on Friday evening and finishing on Monday evening. All events were spectacular in their own way. The National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines, Bayanihan, performed at many of these events to the great pleasure of the different crowds.
A brief summary of these events, with RFA photos and title captions providing a "Who's Who" of many within the wide Canberra diplomatic, defence, political, bureaucratic and community scene, is as follows:
1) Friday 17th June: Independence Day Celebration at the National Gallery of Australia, in the Parliamentary Triangle of Canberra.
RFA interview feature conducted with various officials and invited guests regarding the Independence Day event at the National Gallery of Australia. Interviewees:
1) Mr Allaster Cox, First Assistant Secretary, South-East Asia Maritime Division, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT),
2) Air Commodore Shaun Clarke, New Zealand (NZ) Air Force and NZ Defence Advisor to Australia.
3) Turkish Defence Attaché to Australia.
4) Peter Guthridge, from Launceston, Tasmania, invited as a special guest of the Philippine Embassy.
A brief summary of these events, with RFA photos and title captions providing a "Who's Who" of many within the wide Canberra diplomatic, defence, political, bureaucratic and community scene, is as follows:
1) Friday 17th June: Independence Day Celebration at the National Gallery of Australia, in the Parliamentary Triangle of Canberra.
RFA interview feature conducted with various officials and invited guests regarding the Independence Day event at the National Gallery of Australia. Interviewees:
1) Mr Allaster Cox, First Assistant Secretary, South-East Asia Maritime Division, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT),
2) Air Commodore Shaun Clarke, New Zealand (NZ) Air Force and NZ Defence Advisor to Australia.
3) Turkish Defence Attaché to Australia.
4) Peter Guthridge, from Launceston, Tasmania, invited as a special guest of the Philippine Embassy.
Special invited guests included senior Australian politicians, Department of Foreign Affairs Officials, embassy officials and senior defence attaché and advisors in full military uniform representing their countries from around the world, community leaders and many more. The National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines, Bayanihan, performed for this very distinguished audience.
Photo above at the National Gallery of Australia for the celebration of Philippine Independence Day. Six military officials representing five different countries from left to right: Colonel Ricardo Santiago, Philippine Army (PA), Presidential Security Group (PSG), Philippine Defence and Armed Forces Attaché to Australia, Colonel Pei Sien Lam, Singapore Defence Advisor to Australia, Colonel Connor Anthony Canlas, Philippine Air Force (PAF), Assistant Defence Attaché to Australia, Captain Sami F. Al Motairy, Royal Saudi Navy, Commodore Paul Kinghorne, Royal Australian Navy and Air Commodore Shaun Clarke, New Zealand (NZ) Air Force and NZ Defence Advisor to Australia.
Photo above: Dancing between embassy officials and Bayanihan dance members after the main dance performance at the Australian National Gallery. Her Excellency, Ambassador Minda-Calaguian-Cruz shows her dance moves with a Bayanihan dancer whilst in the background, Colonel Ricardo Santiago, Defence Attaché to Australia, dances with another Bayanihan performer. Col Santiago's wife, Mrs Sheryl Kathlyn Santiago, in the blue traditional dress is dancing to the side. Not to be outdone by the Ambassador, Defence Attaché or anyone else on the dance floor, the smiling Attorney (Atty.) Rodolfo M. Sabulao, who is the Philippine Labor Attaché to Australia, wearing a white embroidered Philippine Barong, is full of energy and enthusiasm in the foreground.
2) Saturday 18th June: One of the big social events of the year, the Philippine Independence Day Ball at the National Convention Centre, Canberra City.
There was a big turnout for this event and it was considered one of the best independence ball events in many years. The many people who attended included the Philippine Ambassador to Australia, Her Excellency Minda Calaguian-Cruz, other embassy officials and a Filipino-Australian lawyer, Attorney (Atty.) Jessica Adelan-Langford, who is running as a Federal Liberal Party political candidate in Canberra for the Australian Federal election to be held in a few weeks.
2) Saturday 18th June: One of the big social events of the year, the Philippine Independence Day Ball at the National Convention Centre, Canberra City.
There was a big turnout for this event and it was considered one of the best independence ball events in many years. The many people who attended included the Philippine Ambassador to Australia, Her Excellency Minda Calaguian-Cruz, other embassy officials and a Filipino-Australian lawyer, Attorney (Atty.) Jessica Adelan-Langford, who is running as a Federal Liberal Party political candidate in Canberra for the Australian Federal election to be held in a few weeks.
Photos above and below: The Bayanihan dance group singing on stage at the National Convention Centre, whilst below the Bayanihan performers pose for a photo with the Philippine Ambassador and her Husband in the middle, along with other members of the Philippine-Australian community.
Photo above: From left to right: His Excellency Luis T Cruz, Former Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, stands next to his wife Her Excellency, Minda Calaguian-Cruz, Philippine Ambassador to Australia, along with Cecilia Flores, President of the Filipino Community Council of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Pat Williams.
Photo below: Attorney (Atty.) Jessica Adelan-Langford, third from right, is a federal political candidate contesting for a seat in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) for the Liberal Party of Australia in the upcoming Federal election next month. She is pictured with her husband, second from right, her mother far right, and her father far left. Her parents are originally from Cebu in the Philippines and they drove over 700 kilometres from the city of Melbourne to attend the independence day event in Canberra to proudly be with their high-achieving, talented, politically skillful and beautiful daughter.
Photo below: Attorney (Atty.) Jessica Adelan-Langford, third from right, is a federal political candidate contesting for a seat in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) for the Liberal Party of Australia in the upcoming Federal election next month. She is pictured with her husband, second from right, her mother far right, and her father far left. Her parents are originally from Cebu in the Philippines and they drove over 700 kilometres from the city of Melbourne to attend the independence day event in Canberra to proudly be with their high-achieving, talented, politically skillful and beautiful daughter.
3) Sunday 19th June: A special showing of the film called "Harana" (an old Filipino courtship tradition of serenading women.
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This film was played at a Canberra movie theatre in Belconnen, organised by the Philippine-Australian Association of the Australian Capital Territory (PAA-ACT) and New South Wales (NSW) Monaro Region which makes up part of the large surrounding cross-border 'Capital Country' area. There was a great turnout.
The Ambassador gave a speech and Dr Merlinda Bobis, the author of "Locust Girl: A Lovesong" also gave a special reading of this book and other books to the mesmerised crowd before the big movie event. The movie left many people in sentimental tears. Dr Bobis continued to be a crowd favourite after the movie (see description below about Dr Bobis and her book sales). The local Canberra Rondanihan Rondalla group gave a splendid performance before the movie. Photo right: A screenshot of the film Harana on the big screen, with the stage lights showing in the foreground, as seen from the movie control room of the theatre in Belconnen, Canberra. |
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Photo above: The Rondanihan Filipino Rondalla group perform in the foyer of the movie theatre in Belconnen, Canberra, before the movie event Harana.
4) Monday, 20th June: A celebration of 70 years of Australian and Philippine diplomatic relations held in the grand hall area of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), next to Capital Hill.
Specially invited guests included embassy and defence attaché and advisors from around the world, senior DFAT officials, past ambassadors from both Australia and the Philippines, and community leaders. The Bayanihan dance company also gave a great performance at this distinguished event.
4) Monday, 20th June: A celebration of 70 years of Australian and Philippine diplomatic relations held in the grand hall area of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), next to Capital Hill.
Specially invited guests included embassy and defence attaché and advisors from around the world, senior DFAT officials, past ambassadors from both Australia and the Philippines, and community leaders. The Bayanihan dance company also gave a great performance at this distinguished event.
Photos above:
A celebration event for the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Australia and the Philippines. Top photo, Her Excellency, Ambassador Minda Minda Calaguian-Cruz can be seen giving a speech to the large audience in the great hall of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) next to Capital Hill. Other photos include the audience and the Bayanihan dance company. The dances performed by Bayanihan provided an historical and cultural snapshot of the Philippines from Lumad (indigenous), Spanish-Filipino, Islamic representing the people in Mindanao, traditional Filipino dancing, and modern dancing.
A celebration event for the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Australia and the Philippines. Top photo, Her Excellency, Ambassador Minda Minda Calaguian-Cruz can be seen giving a speech to the large audience in the great hall of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) next to Capital Hill. Other photos include the audience and the Bayanihan dance company. The dances performed by Bayanihan provided an historical and cultural snapshot of the Philippines from Lumad (indigenous), Spanish-Filipino, Islamic representing the people in Mindanao, traditional Filipino dancing, and modern dancing.
Photo above:
Embassy Officials, family and friends after the event at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Front row sitting left to right: Hon. Anne Jolando-on Louis, Philippine Consul General to New South Wales (NSW), His Excellency Luis T Cruz, Former Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (husband of Philippine Ambassador to Australia), Her Excellency Delia Domingo Albert, Former Philippine Ambassador to Australia as well as Former Secretary of Philippine Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Minda Calaguian-Cruz, Philippine Ambassador to Australia, and Hon. Nina Cainglet, Philippine Consul General to Australia.
Back row: Embassy officials, embassy family members and friends.
Photo below:
Front row from left to right: Cecilia Flores, President of the Filipino Community Council of the Australian Capital Territory (FCC-ACT), Hon. Anne Jolando-on Louis Philippine Consul General to New South Wales (NSW), Mr Allaster Cox, First Assistant Secretary, South-East Asia Maritime Division, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Her Excellency Delia Domingo Albert, Former Philippine Ambassador to Australia as well as Former Secretary of Philippine Foreign Affairs, and Her Excellency Minda Calaguian-Cruz, Philippine Ambassador to Australia.
Back row left to right: Hon. Nina Cainglet, Philippine Consul General to Australia, Feding Donoghue, President Philippine Cultural Society (PCS) Canberra, Gloria Ross, Director RFA, Lulu Respall Turner, Public Officer, Philippine Studies Association of Australia and Mrs Violy J. Searby, Director VJS Infinity Plus, Inc. Philippine Australia Business Council (PABC) member.
Embassy Officials, family and friends after the event at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Front row sitting left to right: Hon. Anne Jolando-on Louis, Philippine Consul General to New South Wales (NSW), His Excellency Luis T Cruz, Former Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (husband of Philippine Ambassador to Australia), Her Excellency Delia Domingo Albert, Former Philippine Ambassador to Australia as well as Former Secretary of Philippine Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Minda Calaguian-Cruz, Philippine Ambassador to Australia, and Hon. Nina Cainglet, Philippine Consul General to Australia.
Back row: Embassy officials, embassy family members and friends.
Photo below:
Front row from left to right: Cecilia Flores, President of the Filipino Community Council of the Australian Capital Territory (FCC-ACT), Hon. Anne Jolando-on Louis Philippine Consul General to New South Wales (NSW), Mr Allaster Cox, First Assistant Secretary, South-East Asia Maritime Division, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Her Excellency Delia Domingo Albert, Former Philippine Ambassador to Australia as well as Former Secretary of Philippine Foreign Affairs, and Her Excellency Minda Calaguian-Cruz, Philippine Ambassador to Australia.
Back row left to right: Hon. Nina Cainglet, Philippine Consul General to Australia, Feding Donoghue, President Philippine Cultural Society (PCS) Canberra, Gloria Ross, Director RFA, Lulu Respall Turner, Public Officer, Philippine Studies Association of Australia and Mrs Violy J. Searby, Director VJS Infinity Plus, Inc. Philippine Australia Business Council (PABC) member.
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#131 RFA Interview: Dr Merlinda Bobis
One Of Australia's Most Prestigious Literary Prizes Won by
Filipino-Australian Dr Merlinda Bobis with a
Dystopian Story About Climate Change, Political Upheaval and the
Triumph of the Human Spirit. (Awarded 16th May 2016)
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Dr Merlinda Bobis, originally from the Bicol region at the southern end of the main island of Luzon, Philippines, has just earnt a spot in Australia's great literary hall of fame after she won one of Australia's most prestigious and prized literary awards for her book "Locust Girl: A Love Song". This award was the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction as part of the New South Wales (NSW) Premier's Literary Awards. This was the most prestigious award worth forty thousand dollars (close to one and a half million Philippine pesos).
Dr Bobis has a long history of literary excellence. She graduated summa cum laude (high distinction honours) from Aquinas University, Albay, Bicol. She taught literature at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Letran and De La Salle University in Manila. She was offered a scholarship and studied her doctorate in literature in Australia. She then taught for two decades at Wollongong University, NSW. She is now an Honorary Senior Literature Lecturer at the Australian National University (ANU) in the nation's capital of Canberra. One can see and feel that Dr Bobis has a deep spiritual connection with the land, having grown up in the Albay provincial foothills of the most famous active volcano in the world, Mt Mayon (Mayon is derived from Magayon, which means beautiful in the Bicol language). Anyone who has seen the world's most perfect cone-shaped volcano [pictured below], on the tectonic edge of the Philippine trench, which is one of the deepest oceanic trenches in the world, will know of its beauty and will know of the deep connection to the land that Bicol people in Albay possess. |
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"Locust Girl: A Love Song" is a post-apocalyptic story about climate change, political upheaval and the powerful survival instinct of the human spirit in all its dignity. Dr Bobis mentions in her interview that this story can be thought of as an Orwellian political allegory.
"At its heart, it's all about crossing borders - whether it's the borders of difference, the borders of landscape, even geopolitical borders. So really it's an allegory of the geopolitics of our times." [Dr Bobis, quoted from RFA interview] Lucy Sussex in the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH), one of Australia's largest newspapers, wrote: "Merlinda Bobis is one of those interesting and rare writers who mix the fantastical with the political." |
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NSW Premier's Literary Award Judges' Comments:
"Locust Girl is set in a nameless parched landscape, a place of drought, famine and human misery, reminiscent of today’s despair in Africa or the Middle East. Only here, we are taken to a post-apocalyptic stage in history. In this world Amedea, the Locust Girl, tells her story of hardship, punishment and dislocation, endured in the quest for an imagined life of freedom ‘beyond the border’. Merlinda Bobis’ original and lyrical prose confidently blends fantasy with realism, and surreal events and images with the quotidian.
Locust Girl is a transfiguring fiction that asks the reader to reflect on, and see into the hearts of, those labelled as outsiders by political systems. We are in the company of fellow creatures who have been harried, hurt and marked in ways that prevent them from ‘crossing over’. This work speaks for the right to be small yet valued, to be cared for and included. It offers imaginative resistance to the forces and beliefs that actively conspire to deny individual and common humanity. Bobis’ story resonates not only in today’s Australia but throughout an environmentally and politically disrupted world where repression and violence are rife; where huge numbers of people leave their homes to undertake dangerous journeys in the search for life.
There were many fine and stylistically accomplished works among this year's entries, but the distinctiveness, sweep and visual power of this short novel set it apart. Bobis’ fabulist, indeed fabulous, narrative enables the reader to imagine what it might look, smell and feel like to be treated as less than fully human. It asserts boldly that in a world seemingly devoid of rationality and logic, a young girl’s dream or a hallucinatory vision may well offer a means of maintaining hope, dignity and identity."
"Locust Girl is set in a nameless parched landscape, a place of drought, famine and human misery, reminiscent of today’s despair in Africa or the Middle East. Only here, we are taken to a post-apocalyptic stage in history. In this world Amedea, the Locust Girl, tells her story of hardship, punishment and dislocation, endured in the quest for an imagined life of freedom ‘beyond the border’. Merlinda Bobis’ original and lyrical prose confidently blends fantasy with realism, and surreal events and images with the quotidian.
Locust Girl is a transfiguring fiction that asks the reader to reflect on, and see into the hearts of, those labelled as outsiders by political systems. We are in the company of fellow creatures who have been harried, hurt and marked in ways that prevent them from ‘crossing over’. This work speaks for the right to be small yet valued, to be cared for and included. It offers imaginative resistance to the forces and beliefs that actively conspire to deny individual and common humanity. Bobis’ story resonates not only in today’s Australia but throughout an environmentally and politically disrupted world where repression and violence are rife; where huge numbers of people leave their homes to undertake dangerous journeys in the search for life.
There were many fine and stylistically accomplished works among this year's entries, but the distinctiveness, sweep and visual power of this short novel set it apart. Bobis’ fabulist, indeed fabulous, narrative enables the reader to imagine what it might look, smell and feel like to be treated as less than fully human. It asserts boldly that in a world seemingly devoid of rationality and logic, a young girl’s dream or a hallucinatory vision may well offer a means of maintaining hope, dignity and identity."
Photo: Dr Merlinda Bobis, nationally and internationally acclaimed award winning author (left), with Gloria Ross, Director RFA, in Canberra.
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Dr Bobis has written four novels, five poetry books, a short story collection, seven performance works, and a monograph on creative research. She writes across multiple languages - her Bicol mother-tongue language, Filipino national language and English global language. One of her previous books, "Fish-Hair Woman" (2012), won a Filipino National Book Award in 2014.
It is the vision of Dr Bobis for "Locust Girl: A Love Song" to become a movie. The book is called "A Love Song" because in her native Bicol region of Luzon they sing their stories. The interview is inspiring as Dr Bobis switches between prose narrative and singing. She says, the story, which is about heroes, villains and culprits, is not confined to one culture, but rather transcends all cultures. |
Dr Bobis then poses a question of ethics at the heart of the story; "How do we care for those who are different to us?"
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#130 - RFA Interview May 2016
Philippine Ambassador to Australia,
Her Excellency, Minda Calaguian-Cruz
RFA Photo: Philippine Ambassador to Australia, Her Excellency Minda Calaguian-Cruz at her desk in the Philippine Embassy of Australia, with the Philippine flag, left of photo, and ASEAN flag, right of photo.
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Her Excellency, Minda Calaguian-Cruz was recently assigned as the new Philippine Ambassador to Australia.
Listen to Ambassador Calaguian-Cruz as she talks about her extensive and impressive diplomatic background, as well the robust and positive relationship between the Philippines and Australia. |
Listen to Ambassador Calaguian-Cruz as she talks about her extensive and impressive diplomatic background, as well the robust and positive relationship between the Philippines and Australia.
The Ambassador's long distinguished career includes the following diplomatic post locations and titles:
Looking out from the window of the ambassador's office, one can see a very famous and influential neighbour. Across the road is the Australian Prime Minister's (PM's) Lodge. The Philippine Embassy is the closest foreign embassy to the PM's lodge. The Philippine Embassy and the PM's Lodge are on the edge of Capital Hill, which is the location for both the Australian House of Representatives (referred to in the Philippines as the Congress) and the Australian Senate.
The Ambassador's long distinguished career includes the following diplomatic post locations and titles:
- China Division, Homeland Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs;
- Vice Consul, London, UK;
- Beijing, China;
- The office of the United Nations in the Philippines;
- Consul in Hong Kong, China;
- Chief Coordinator in the Office of Foreign Affairs;
- Secretary General for the Gulf Compensation Commission in the Philippines;
- Ambassador to Singapore,
- Head of the Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs in Manila.
- Ambassador to Australia (2016)
Looking out from the window of the ambassador's office, one can see a very famous and influential neighbour. Across the road is the Australian Prime Minister's (PM's) Lodge. The Philippine Embassy is the closest foreign embassy to the PM's lodge. The Philippine Embassy and the PM's Lodge are on the edge of Capital Hill, which is the location for both the Australian House of Representatives (referred to in the Philippines as the Congress) and the Australian Senate.
Satellite Map Photo: The Philippine Embassy of Australia - as illustrated by the red rectangle box - could be considered one of the best located embassies in Canberra. It is next to the Capital Hill circle, across the road from the Australian Prime Minister's Lodge, shares a fence boundary with the Indian Embassy and is close to the large US Embassy.
The ambassador details the significant economic relationships between Australia and the Philippines which creates many jobs through greater trade in goods and services, particularly in regard to the massive Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, which is one of the biggest revenue earners for the Philippines.
The ambassador details the significant economic relationships between Australia and the Philippines which creates many jobs through greater trade in goods and services, particularly in regard to the massive Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, which is one of the biggest revenue earners for the Philippines.
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There are also many people of Filipino heritage/origin living in Australia who Ambassador Calaguian-Cruz regards as "Ambassadors of Goodwill" between the two countries because "they project who the Filipino is". She further highlights the strength of the relationship between Australia and the Philippines as demonstrated by the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Australia, which again is of great economic benefit for the Philippines as well as to Australia. As such, the relationship, as described by Ambassador Calaguian-Cruz, is a "win-win" scenario for both the Philippines and Australia.
Ambassador Calaguian-Cruz also views the relationship with Australia as existing at multiple diplomatic levels, such as bilateral, regional as a direct southern neighbour of the ASEAN group of nations, and part of the wider international United Nations community sharing the same principles of democracy, freedom and peace. |
Photo: Gloria Ross, Director of RFA, standing next to Her Excellency, Ambassador Minda Calaguian-Cruz.
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#129 - RFA Interview with Pastor Eric Marquez
of the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) Church, Canberra.
Inauguration of the JIL Church for the Filipino-Canberra
Community is an Example of the Vibrant Positive Multiculturalism Alive Across Australia (April 2016).
In the northern suburb of Kaleen, in Australia's leafy capital city on a beautiful autumn Sunday morning last week (24th April 2016) the Jesus Is Lord Church, also commonly referred to by its acronym JIL, proudly inaugurated its new home.
Photo: Pastor Eric Marquez, JIL Church Leader, Canberra, after the inauguration day church service, 24th April 2016.
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Prior to this the church in Canberra lived a nomadic experience. As Norman Kalagayan, one of the JIL leaders said: "We were all quite aware of the limitations of our nomadic existence as a church."
They won the purchase of the land and existing building from other competitors despite their limited resources. The property was previously a tavern which sold alcohol. Mr Kalagayan continued: "We saw alignment of favours from God, such as:... varying successfully the government lease of the property from pub/tavern to place of worship (from spirit of alcohol to Holy Spirit)." |
Photo: The front of the JIL church in Kaleen, Canberra with the spirit of good will served up with lemonade and other non-alcoholic refreshing drinks ready for the end of the church service.
JIL is a worldwide Charismatic Christian Movement founded in the Philippines as a Filipino-International Christian Fellowship Church. It has over 4 million followers worldwide.
Pastor Eric Marquez is the JIL church missionary leader in Canberra. He is very charismatic, friendly, and passionate which makes him a popular leader in the JIL church and the wider Filipino community in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) where he also attends many other Filipino community events as one of the respected leaders within the wider community of religious, social and sports organisations.
RFA was privileged to be invited by Pastor Marquez and Mr Kalagayan to witness the inauguration JIL's proud new home. Also, in attendance were political leaders such as Hon. Alistair Coe, Deputy Leader of the ACT Liberal Party, senior Philippine embassy officials from the embassy next to Capital Hill, other many friends from the wider community, as well as senior JIL leaders from Sydney.
JIL is a worldwide Charismatic Christian Movement founded in the Philippines as a Filipino-International Christian Fellowship Church. It has over 4 million followers worldwide.
Pastor Eric Marquez is the JIL church missionary leader in Canberra. He is very charismatic, friendly, and passionate which makes him a popular leader in the JIL church and the wider Filipino community in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) where he also attends many other Filipino community events as one of the respected leaders within the wider community of religious, social and sports organisations.
RFA was privileged to be invited by Pastor Marquez and Mr Kalagayan to witness the inauguration JIL's proud new home. Also, in attendance were political leaders such as Hon. Alistair Coe, Deputy Leader of the ACT Liberal Party, senior Philippine embassy officials from the embassy next to Capital Hill, other many friends from the wider community, as well as senior JIL leaders from Sydney.
Photos above and below: There were hundreds of happy JIL members and invited guests from the government, embassy, wider community and interstate who shared in the celebration of the inauguration day of the JIL Worship Centre, Kaleen, Canberra.
The JIL in Canberra is very friendly, socially dynamic and family orientated. Along with the adults, the many young children and teenagers are energetic, happy and friendly which shows a level of great positive energy within the community.
JIL Canberra also gives back to its home country with the establishment of "iCare Australia Compassion Ministries" after the November 2013 typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan, hit the Philippines which killed many thousands and affected over 10 million people.
JIL Canberra also gives back to its home country with the establishment of "iCare Australia Compassion Ministries" after the November 2013 typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan, hit the Philippines which killed many thousands and affected over 10 million people.
Australia is one of the most successful multicultural democracies in the world and it became this way by opening up to the rest of the world, particularly economically and socially. The government actively provides grants and incentives for different multicultural groups from around the world, and acknowledges the role that religion can play as a positive force in society and emerging communities. The JIL church and its community is a great example of the positive contributions which communities of people from around the world can do for their new home society.
Filipinos enjoy a good reputation in Australia and the JIL church in Canberra is a good example of the many great citizens which Australia is proud to help as it develops a sense of shared respectful and law-abiding values amongst the entire national community.
As a mature multicultural democracy, Australia is open to the rest of the world and benefits greatly from the social dynamics of groups like the JIL in Canberra, which is well respected in the wider community for its positive contributions to the social fabric of the nation.
Filipinos enjoy a good reputation in Australia and the JIL church in Canberra is a good example of the many great citizens which Australia is proud to help as it develops a sense of shared respectful and law-abiding values amongst the entire national community.
As a mature multicultural democracy, Australia is open to the rest of the world and benefits greatly from the social dynamics of groups like the JIL in Canberra, which is well respected in the wider community for its positive contributions to the social fabric of the nation.
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#128 - RFA Interview - April 2016
Professor Ronnie Holmes
President of Pulse Asia Inc. (A Political Polling Company)
Prof. Holmes, on Location in Manila, Talks About the Upcoming Philippine Presidential, Vice Presidential and Senatorial Election
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Prof. Ronnie Holmes is the President of Pulse Asia Inc. which is one of the largest, most respected and most quoted polling companies in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
In this interview with RFA, Prof. Holmes, on location in Manila, provides an analytical insight into the upcoming Philippine presidential election, due in less than one month on the 9th May 2016. |
Prof. Holmes will detail the Presidential and Vice Presidential front runners as well as the social dynamics and motivations of the voters.
Titles and Experience: Prof. Ronnie Holmes, President of Pulse Asia Inc., is also Lecturer at Research School of Management Australian National University (ANU), formerly Acting Executive Director of the Philippine Social Science Council and former Chairperson of Technical Committee in Political Science, Philippine Commission on Higher Education and Former Executive Vice President of De La Salle-College Saint Benilde.
Titles and Experience: Prof. Ronnie Holmes, President of Pulse Asia Inc., is also Lecturer at Research School of Management Australian National University (ANU), formerly Acting Executive Director of the Philippine Social Science Council and former Chairperson of Technical Committee in Political Science, Philippine Commission on Higher Education and Former Executive Vice President of De La Salle-College Saint Benilde.
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#127 - RFA Interview - March 2016
Cielo Franklin,
Philippine Educational Theater Artists of Western Australia (PETAWA) President, Tagalog School of Perth Manager, and Filipino Community Council of Western Australia (FCCWA) Secretary.
Photo:
Cielo Franklin, wearing traditional Filipino costume standing in front of the official Perth City Coat of Arms with the prominent red-beaked black swan, a distinctive bird of which the famous Swan River which meanders through the suburbs and city centre of Perth is named after. |
Cielo Franklin is a dynamic and dedicated community leader in Perth, Western Australia (WA). There are many tens of thousands of Filipinos who live and work in Perth. In an interview with RFA she informs the audience about the many different activities she is involved with in the beautiful city on the Swan River and Indian Ocean.
She is currently the President of a group of Filipino performing artists who do many performances for communities across WA. This group is called the Philippine Educational Theater Artists of WA (PETAWA). 
The original Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is very famous in the Philippines. PETA was founded in 1967 by Cecile-Guidote Alvarez. It is an organisation of creative and critical artist-teacher-cultural workers committed to artistic excellence and a people’s culture that fosters both personal fulfillment and social transformation. PETAWA continues the excellence of PETA by helping spread PETA's creative theatrical talent around the world.
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Ms Franklin also started the Tagalog School of Perth so her own children could learn Filipino language and stay in touch with their heritage.
The school also quickly became popular with adults, such as business and/or diplomatic people and those with social connections to the Philippines. |
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She also travels interstate as one of the executive officers for the Filipino Community Council of Western Australia (FCCWA), which is the peak Filipino umbrella body for representing other Filipino community organisations in WA.
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#126 - RFA Interview: March 2016
Chris Urbano
Celebrity Chef From Australia with the
Hot Recipes, Hot Looks and Cool Lingo Makes his Manila Moves!
Australian Wine Importer, Comedian and Linguist, as well as Founder of Maputing Cooking and the Urbano Patrol.
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This is a formulaic story about how someone can become an overnight celebrity, conduct international business and, most importantly, have fun at the same time.
Chris Urbano (also known as Chris Urbanski) is no ordinary young man. In fact he could be described as a linguistic, cultural and cooking guru! He spent much time in Australia and Southeast Asia with his parents. He was exposed to different cooking styles from an early age and in addition to his native English tongue he has also became fluent in Indonesian, Melayu and Filipino languages. |
He graduated summa cum laude (Latin for 'great honour' often used in the Philippines - or high distinction in Australia) from the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra with degrees in Economics and Asian Studies.
In addition to cooking, Mr Urbano is passionate about Australian wines, having travelled around many of the wineries throughout the great southern land island continent. With a rising middle class in the Philippines he has now created a good trade in wines.
In addition to cooking, Mr Urbano is passionate about Australian wines, having travelled around many of the wineries throughout the great southern land island continent. With a rising middle class in the Philippines he has now created a good trade in wines.
Photo: Chris Urbano in action on the kitchen set.
Mr Urbano's unique business model includes providing an expertly curated wine list for restaurants with recommendations tailored to specific Filipino dishes to create a tasteful symbiosis for the discerning palate. More Filipino fine dining restaurants are expected to partner up with the Urbano culinary and wine experience as time goes by.
Mr Urbano's unique business model includes providing an expertly curated wine list for restaurants with recommendations tailored to specific Filipino dishes to create a tasteful symbiosis for the discerning palate. More Filipino fine dining restaurants are expected to partner up with the Urbano culinary and wine experience as time goes by.
Photo: Some of the great food and wine served up by Mr Urbano.
Mr Urbano is the founder of Maputing Cooking (White Cooking) which has become very popular in the Philippines where he is now based. He has also appeared on the GMA network, which is one of the largest television networks in the country with a population of 100 million people. Some of Mr Urbano's Youtube cooking shows number in the hundreds of thousands of hits as they continue to get more popular.
Mr Urbano is the founder of Maputing Cooking (White Cooking) which has become very popular in the Philippines where he is now based. He has also appeared on the GMA network, which is one of the largest television networks in the country with a population of 100 million people. Some of Mr Urbano's Youtube cooking shows number in the hundreds of thousands of hits as they continue to get more popular.
Photo above: Mr Urbano advertising one of his great Maputing Cooking dishes.
Photo below: Mr Urbano on the GMA7 Mars show toasting a wine.
Photo below: Mr Urbano on the GMA7 Mars show toasting a wine.
Mr Urbano's fame in the Philippines is also being noticed more back in his home country of Australia. He recently went to Darwin where he was invited to be a master chef for an international food exhibition and showcased his great Filipino cuisine.
Mr Urbano would be a splendid special guest for any small or large-scale business, government or Filipino community event anywhere in Australia or the Philippines. He would be a distinguished international relations guru in progressing knowledge of Filipino world-class cuisine, culture and linguistics.
Comedy is also an important ingredient in Mr Urbano's celebrity style. He met up with the famous Philippine-based Bogart the Explorer at beautiful Manly Beach, Sydney where Mr Urbano spoke Filipino and the Filipino-looking Bogart with his distinct Aussie accent and attire spoke English.
Mr Urbano would be a splendid special guest for any small or large-scale business, government or Filipino community event anywhere in Australia or the Philippines. He would be a distinguished international relations guru in progressing knowledge of Filipino world-class cuisine, culture and linguistics.
Comedy is also an important ingredient in Mr Urbano's celebrity style. He met up with the famous Philippine-based Bogart the Explorer at beautiful Manly Beach, Sydney where Mr Urbano spoke Filipino and the Filipino-looking Bogart with his distinct Aussie accent and attire spoke English.
Photo: Bogart the Explorer and Chris Urbano at Manly Beach in Sydney.
Bogart, originally from Davao City, became internationally famous for his Youtube hit of Gangman Style in the Philippines and his hilarious documentaries which mimics the style of the late Australian crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, and to a lesser extent the famous naturalist David Attenborough. However, Bogart gives the non-human wildlife scene the flick and chooses instead to focus on Filipinos and guests, and how they adapt and behave in the unique Filipino social environment.
Bogart made Mr Urbano the focus of one of his comedy documentaries when he secretly follows Mr Urbano around Manila to determine for the audience how well he is able to adapt to the Philippine environment.
Bogart, originally from Davao City, became internationally famous for his Youtube hit of Gangman Style in the Philippines and his hilarious documentaries which mimics the style of the late Australian crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, and to a lesser extent the famous naturalist David Attenborough. However, Bogart gives the non-human wildlife scene the flick and chooses instead to focus on Filipinos and guests, and how they adapt and behave in the unique Filipino social environment.
Bogart made Mr Urbano the focus of one of his comedy documentaries when he secretly follows Mr Urbano around Manila to determine for the audience how well he is able to adapt to the Philippine environment.
Photo: Bogart the Explorer in the background secretly observing - in his trademark hilarious style - how Chris Urbano fits into Philippine society with his cultural and language skills. He even knows how to culturally address the Filipino waiter with an impressive tautologically effective array of honorific titles by saying "Ser! Chief! Bossing!" ("bossing" is a verb in English, but "Bossing" became a common-use comedic noun in Filipino, considering Filipinos believe bosses do much bossing). Even Bogart was impressed with the head-turning honorifics!
Mr Urbano also pretends to be Bogart, pretending to be a Filipino who is pretending to be an Australian. That bit gets a little confusing, but it is comedy - considering confusion and comedy are, consequentially, entirely complementary.
Mr Urbano has also set up his own "Urbano Patrol", which mimics the style of "TV Patrol" the highly popular flagship national network news broadcast of ABS-CBN Philippines.
Mr Urbano also pretends to be Bogart, pretending to be a Filipino who is pretending to be an Australian. That bit gets a little confusing, but it is comedy - considering confusion and comedy are, consequentially, entirely complementary.
Mr Urbano has also set up his own "Urbano Patrol", which mimics the style of "TV Patrol" the highly popular flagship national network news broadcast of ABS-CBN Philippines.
Promo picture: Urbano Patrol and Maputing Cooking, two of the endeavours by Mr Urbano demonstrating a mix of cultural cuisine and comedy.
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#125 RFA Interview: March 2016
Josie Musa,
New South Wales (NSW) Woman of the Year 2015 and
Coordinator for the Community Builders' Gala, Sydney.
Photo: Josie Musa, winner of the prestigious NSW Woman of the Year 2015.
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Josie Musa talks to RFA about the big Community Builders' Gala event happening in Sydney on the 13th March 2016. This is organised by Adhika (Noble Aspirations) which is a Sydney-based community organisation.
Photo: (Left to right) Lolita Farmer, OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) recipient being interviewed by Adhika members Charles Chan, Filipino media and social events personality, and Josie Musa, NSW Woman of the Year, 2015.
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This event will recognise multiple Filipino-Australians who have received distinguished awards, such as the OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) which is one of Australia's highest civilian distinctions.
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It is also a celebration of the 70th anniversary of Philippine and Australian diplomatic relations which began with the post World War II birth of the Third Philippine Republic in 1946.
There will be many VIPs in attendance including federal and state Members of Parliament (MPs) and senators, mayors, and diplomatic officials. |
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Mrs Musa has been one of the main driving forces behind this endeavour, and she is surrounded by a good support team of noble-minded individuals within Adhika Inc. to help make the event a great occasion.
A snapshot-summary of some of Mrs Musa's community involvement includes the following:
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Photo: Josie Musa, centre, receiving New South Wales (NSW) Woman of the Year award 2015 with Hon. Pru Goward Member of Parliament (MP) Goulburn, NSW on the left and Hon. Kevin Conolly MP, Riverstone, NSW on the right.
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Photo: (Left to right) Josie Musa, New South Wales (NSW) Woman of the Year Awardee 2015, Congressman Jose 'Lito' Atienza Jr. (Member of the Philippine House of Representatives) popular former long term serving Mayor of Manila, and television host for the Filipino drama anthology "Maynila" on GMA (one of the Philippines largest media networks), along with Gloria Ross, Director RFA. This photo was taken in Sydney at the Fiesta Kultura (Australia's largest Filipino event and one of the largest multicultural events in Australia, October 2014. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Also, one of the significant pillars of moral support behind this Community Builders Adhika endeavour is Jaime 'Jimmy' K Pimentel, better known as Tito (Uncle) Jimmy.
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Tito Jimmy is an accomplished journalist and is considered to be a highly respected Godfather like figure in the Philippine-Australian community of Sydney.
Tito Jimmy is a straight-talking ideas and action man with a specialty in sports journalism, and he was instrumental in the founding of Filpressyd, which is a large consortium of print, radio, video and online media organisations across Sydney. |
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#124 - RFA Interview: (17th February 2016)
Dennis Benedictos
Dynamic Sports Manager and Multicultural Champion in the Australian Capital Territory, as well as Campaigner for Gender Equality for Major League Women's Basketball in the Philippines.
RFA photo: Dennis Benedictos at a basketball arena in Canberra for the start of the Filcom basketball season. Mr Benedictos exudes skillful confidence as demonstrates his fingertip control of a basketball, in much the same manner as he confidently and skillfully demonstrates great organisation as the Filcom head coordinator with his golden touch.
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Dennis Benedictos is an ideas man who knows how to do the hard organisational work to put his thoughts into action for the benefit of the Australian and Philippine sporting communities.
He is well organised, articulate and possesses the great respect of players and fellow organisers. Mr Benedictos has been instrumental in the ongoing success of Filcom (Filipino Community) sports association. Filcom Basketball caters for both the Filipino-Australian Community and the wider Canberra community making it a multiculturally inclusive association. In the interview, Mr Benedictos mentions players with ethnic backgrounds from around the world, such as Filipino, Anglo, Euro and African-Australian members. |
Australia is a very multicultural society and it is great to see how a respected organiser such as Mr Benedictos, along with the dedicated help of his fellow association executive members and administrators have been able to organise such a successful inclusive and large dynamic league.
RFA photos above: The multicultural Filcom teams and administrators in action.
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Filcom is a family friendly organisation that currently has 20 teams on its register, with 2 divisions.
Mr Benedictos loves what he does, and people who know him well know that he always gives his best effort. He is very positive as he strives to give of his great variety of talents for the constructive benefit of the wider community.
He has also recently turned his attention to supporting the Pinay Ballers (Filipino Women Ballers) association in the Philippines.
The Pinay Ballers have a motto "In A League of Our Own". A stated vision of the Pinay Ballers is:
"To use sports as a tool for breaking down the walls that are detrimental to a society.
We envision a society embodied with equality and opportunity."
Mr Benedictos loves what he does, and people who know him well know that he always gives his best effort. He is very positive as he strives to give of his great variety of talents for the constructive benefit of the wider community.
He has also recently turned his attention to supporting the Pinay Ballers (Filipino Women Ballers) association in the Philippines.
The Pinay Ballers have a motto "In A League of Our Own". A stated vision of the Pinay Ballers is:
"To use sports as a tool for breaking down the walls that are detrimental to a society.
We envision a society embodied with equality and opportunity."
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Photo above: Promotional poster for the Pinay Ballers League.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just as Mr Benedictos has demonstrated his passion for creating an inclusive multicultural basketball association in Australia's capital, he is also passionate about helping females achieve equality in sport, and would one day like to see Filipino basketballers receive similar recognition to their male counterparts. Mr Benedictos' efforts to promote inclusive multiculturalism and gender equality on the national and international stage makes him a noble role model and great social/community asset for sports members and other leadership aspirants to follow his example to ensure that all feel welcome and have equal opportunities to develop their potential. ------------------------------------------------------- RFA photo left: Dennis Benedictos and his lovely wife Rina Benedictos - the lady behind the man - who attended an event as distinguished guests at the Philippine Embassy of Australia in Canberra. They have also just recently celebrated the arrival of their beautiful baby daughter, Seraphina. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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#123 - RFA Interview: (9th February 2016)
Atty.(Attorney) Loida Nicolas-Lewis,
New York Based Filipino-American Businesswoman,
CEO of a Multi-Billion Dollar Company,
Former USA Businesswoman of the Year Awardee, Philanthropist and Chairperson of US Pinoys (Filipinos) for Good Governance.
Ms Lewis passionately talks about her support for the Mar Roxas/Leni Robredo team in the upcoming Philippine presidential and vice presidential election as well as her views about the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea with China.
Photo: Loida Nicolas-Lewis, USA Business Woman of the Year 1995.
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Atty. (Attorney) Loida Nicolas-Lewis is an amazing lady of extraordinary talent, intellect and leadership abilities. She is also one of the USA's richest women. During the interview, her warm and genuine personality along with her professional assertiveness shines through which endears the audience with admiration for her strong spirit.
She has an unwavering belief about how the Philippines should and can be run free of corruption and invest in people to help raise more Filipinos out of poverty, as she throws her full moral support and advocacy behind the Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo team for the upcoming May 2016 Philippine presidential and vice presidential election. Atty. Nicolas-Lewis was born in 1942 in the Bicol region of the Philippines in Sorsogon province, that is world renowned for its natural beauty and which encompasses a well-developed land and sea eco-tourism industry at the southern end of the main island of Luzon. |
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Photo left: Sorsogon is famous for having large numbers of whale sharks (butanding), which are the biggest fish in the world. These prehistoric gentle giants are a major international tourist attraction for the Sorsogon region. People can dive and swim alongside the social butanding. The butanding live in peaceful harmony with their fellow happy Filipino Sorsogon friends who are the local human population and their tourist visitors. The butanding are a good example of the rich marine resources which the Philippine people have proudly taken good care of over thousands of years from the West Philippine Sea, to the Sulu Sea, to the Celebes Sea and to the Pacific Ocean..
Photo right: Kissing Rocks is just one of the many beautiful pristine coastal scenery spots in the Sorsogon area of the Philippines, which is the home region of Atty. Nicolas-Lewis and which is also a world-class eco-tourism haven.
Photo right: Kissing Rocks is just one of the many beautiful pristine coastal scenery spots in the Sorsogon area of the Philippines, which is the home region of Atty. Nicolas-Lewis and which is also a world-class eco-tourism haven.
Her father was a furniture magnate. He once built a movie theatre and named it after her when she was a young girl hoping maybe, Atty. Nicolas-Lewis says with a laugh, that one day in the future people would remember her name and vote her into politics. She was a brilliant student who completed a good education both in Legazpi City in the shadow of the world's most perfectly shaped active volcano, Mt Mayon, and in Manila. She was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1968.
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Atty. Nicolas-Lewis travelled to the USA and fell in love with Atty. Reginald Lewis, a highly talented, skillful and ambitious Wall Street corporate lawyer and financier of African-American descent. After their marriage, Atty. Nicolas-Lewis took on what many consider to be one of the toughest legal bar examinations in the world. She had the distinction of becoming the first Asian-American to pass the American Bar (in 1974) without having been educated in the United States.
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Photo: New York, New Yorrk, where people from all over the world, such as Atty. Nicolas Lewis, from Sorsogon in the Philippines travel to make their mark.
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Atty. Nicolas-Lewis is a true embodiment of the proud American dream which is open to people from every culture and ethnicity around the world and this type of inclusive multicultural society, which is also strongly demonstrated in Australia, is what helps make a country strong.
Her husband was later hailed as the first person of African-American descent to head a billion-dollar company in the USA, TLC Beatrice International, which was an iconic American foods processing company dating back to the late 1800s. Reginald Lewis died in 1993 of cancer leaving Atty. Nicolas-Lewis to run the company.
With a combination of basic common sense, world-class corporate legal knowledge and an unwavering professional focus Atty. Nicolas-Lewis turned the billion-dollar company into a multi-billion dollar endeavour.
Due to her highly successful management style in helping increase the fortunes of the company Atty. Nicolas Lewis was soon named the top U.S. woman business executive by The National Foundation for Women Business Owners and Working Woman Magazine.
Civic Leader, International Philanthropist and Passionate Filipino for Good Governance
Her husband was later hailed as the first person of African-American descent to head a billion-dollar company in the USA, TLC Beatrice International, which was an iconic American foods processing company dating back to the late 1800s. Reginald Lewis died in 1993 of cancer leaving Atty. Nicolas-Lewis to run the company.
With a combination of basic common sense, world-class corporate legal knowledge and an unwavering professional focus Atty. Nicolas-Lewis turned the billion-dollar company into a multi-billion dollar endeavour.
Due to her highly successful management style in helping increase the fortunes of the company Atty. Nicolas Lewis was soon named the top U.S. woman business executive by The National Foundation for Women Business Owners and Working Woman Magazine.
Civic Leader, International Philanthropist and Passionate Filipino for Good Governance
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Atty. Nicolas-Lewis recently hosted US President Barack Obama at her mansion in Upper East Side (UES) Manhattan in 2015 for a Democratic Party fundraising event. This was the same night as the annual Met Gala (also known as the Met Ball), held at the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute which is one of America's premiere fashion events.
The New York media speculated about the large traffic jams of having one of America's biggest fashion events at the same time as the event at Atty. Nicolas-Lewis' residence, with the large US Secret Service and wider security detail in the same neighbourhood. |
Atty. Nicolas-Lewis is also still very genuinely passionate about her homeland and it is very noble that she wants to continue to help her fellow Filipinos who she still has a great sense of loyalty towards.
Some of her US and international civic activities are:
Atty. Nicolas Lewis' Support for the Manuel "Mar" Araneta Roxas II and Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo (Mar/Leni) Presidential and Vice Presidential Team for the May 2016 Election
Some of her US and international civic activities are:
- Board member of the foundation for the world famous Apollo Theater located in Harlem, Manhattan.
- Board of Directors of the National Catholic Reporter.
- National Chair and Co-Founder of the US Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG) organized after the election in May 2010 of Benigno Simeon Aquino III as President of the Philippines.
- Board member of the Philippine Development Foundation, a public charity that focuses on building an ecosystem of science and technology-based entrepreneurship and innovation for social and economic development in the Philippines.
Atty. Nicolas Lewis' Support for the Manuel "Mar" Araneta Roxas II and Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo (Mar/Leni) Presidential and Vice Presidential Team for the May 2016 Election
Photo: Mar Roxas on left and Leni Robredo with the message "Ituloy and Daang Matuwid" (Continue on the Straight Path).
During the interview with RFA, Atty. Nicolas-Lewis talks extensively and very passionately about her support for the Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo presidential and vice presidential team.
She is very proud when she mentions the achievements of current president Benigno Aquino III who belongs to the same party as Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo, the Liberal Party of the Philippines. She details these achievements, particularly in regard to recent economic and social infrastructure development in the Philippines, as well as the fight against corruption which she believes has benefited the Philippines enormously.
She is very proud when she mentions the achievements of current president Benigno Aquino III who belongs to the same party as Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo, the Liberal Party of the Philippines. She details these achievements, particularly in regard to recent economic and social infrastructure development in the Philippines, as well as the fight against corruption which she believes has benefited the Philippines enormously.
Photo: From left to right - Mark Lapid senatorial candidate, incumbent President Benigno Aquino III, Leni Robredo, vice presidential candidate, Mar Roxas, presidential candidate, and senatorial candidate Prof. Nariman "Ina" Ambolodto, all of the Philippine Liberal Party.
The Philippines is now one of the fastest growing economies in the world, if not the fastest. Atty. Nicolas-Lewis so passionately tells RFA, she wants to see her homeland continue to progress under the leadership of Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo, to whom outgoing President Aquino also strongly gives his blessings.
Atty. Nicolas-Lewis' views on the West Philippine Sea Dispute between the Philippines and China.
Atty. Nicolas-Lewis' views on the West Philippine Sea Dispute between the Philippines and China.
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Atty. Nicolas Lewis also talks very passionately in support of the protection of Philippine territorial rights regarding the current dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea (also referred to as the South China Sea).
She mentions about the upcoming international tribunal decision regarding this maritime law dispute which she believes will be favourable towards the position of the Philippines. |
Photo: The Philippine delegation putting forward the position of the Philippine government regarding the West Philippine Sea dispute at the Peace Palace in the Hague, Netherlands, in 2015.
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#122 - RFA Interview: (26th January 2016)
Januario "John" Rivas, Member of the Order of Australia (AM), Honorary Philippine Consul General
for Northern Territory, Australia
Breaking Australia Day News 26th January 2016:
Hon. Con. Gen. Rivas, AM, receives the prestigious
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) Award on Australia Day
Hon. Con. Gen. Rivas, AM, receives the prestigious
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) Award on Australia Day
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On Australia Day 2016 Januario "John" Rivas, Honorary Philippine Consul General for Northern Territory, Australia was awarded one of Australia's highest civilian honours, Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
The Order of Australia is an honours system which confers the highest recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement or meritorious service. The Order currently consists of 4 levels, and Hon. Con. Gen John Rivas, AM, was awarded the 3rd level, leapfrogging the 4th level (1st level being the highest). |
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Hon. Con Gen. Rivas, AM, has been tireless in his community efforts over the last 4 decades in Australia, and Darwin in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia. He has excelled in bringing together and serving the Darwin and wider NT community in many different capacities, whilst also undertaking nation building activities back in his home country of the Philippines by supporting poverty alleviation and school building projects.
During an interview with Hon. Con Gen. Rivas, AM, he tells the RFA audience about his meritorious community work as well as the ongoing dynamic connections being built between Darwin and the Philippines. |
Photo: Hon. Con. Gen. John Rivas, AM, with his lovely wife Edna who came to Australia with John almost half a century ago and who has supported his tremendous community efforts whilst also significantly contributing to the community herself. She has also had a successful working career as a school teacher since arriving in Australia.
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Photos above and below:
Darwin City is a regional capital city on the move in Australia's far north on the edge of Southeast Asia close to the Philippines. People such as Hon. Con. Gen. John Rivas, AM, have witnessed the amazing growth of Darwin over the decades to become one of Australia's most important and strategic cities, whilst also adding to its legendary cosmopolitan flavour with a large, hardworking and culturally dynamic Filipino-Australian community.
Darwin with its surrounding massive gas, mining and defence industries is becoming Australia's version of Dubai in the tropics as big money continues to flow in and as Australia is forecast to overtake Qatar in the Middle East to become the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in the world (as reported by the Bloomberg international finance news service on 21st January 2016). This is thanks in large part to the role of Darwin as an international gas hub and other gigantic gas hub projects in North Western Australia as Australian economic export power shifts more to the northern end of the large island continent.
Darwin City is a regional capital city on the move in Australia's far north on the edge of Southeast Asia close to the Philippines. People such as Hon. Con. Gen. John Rivas, AM, have witnessed the amazing growth of Darwin over the decades to become one of Australia's most important and strategic cities, whilst also adding to its legendary cosmopolitan flavour with a large, hardworking and culturally dynamic Filipino-Australian community.
Darwin with its surrounding massive gas, mining and defence industries is becoming Australia's version of Dubai in the tropics as big money continues to flow in and as Australia is forecast to overtake Qatar in the Middle East to become the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in the world (as reported by the Bloomberg international finance news service on 21st January 2016). This is thanks in large part to the role of Darwin as an international gas hub and other gigantic gas hub projects in North Western Australia as Australian economic export power shifts more to the northern end of the large island continent.
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#121 - RFA Interview: (19th January 2016)
Miriam Quiambao-Roberto, First Runner-Up Miss Universe 1999, Inspirational Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur, Actress, Television Host and Physiotherapist
A Fall on the International Stage, but Not a Fall from Grace, as Miriam's Spirit is Inspirationally Strengthened Throughout the Years!
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Miriam Quiambao-Roberto grew up in a happy middle class family. She was blessed with beautiful looks, great talent and a confident personality. When asked in an interview how she first became interested in beauty pageants she tells RFA that she would often visit her aunty who was a seamstress and that as a child she would pick up scraps of fabric from the floor and walk up and down the room with a catwalk pose in her new-found frocks. She would say that "I'm Miss Philippines" as many thousands of other young girls would also dream and say.
Miriam studied physiotherapy at the University of Santo Thomas in Manila, which is the largest and oldest university in the Philippines, founded in 1611. Miriam said she chose to become a physiotherapist because she wanted to help people. Miriam's classmates nominated her for a Miss Physiotherapy beauty contest. She was also an aerobics fitness instructor where she was noticed by a talent scout who recommended that she enter the Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) beauty contest. Miriam won the title of Binibining (Bb) Pilipinas and immediately went on to represent her country for the Miss Universe title in 1999. |
Miriam was a hot favourite to win Miss Universe. During one of her walks on the international stage she tripped on her dress, but she quickly composed herself and continued on with great confidence and grace. She won the title of First Runner-Up Miss Universe 1999.
Miriam talks about her on-stage fall to RFA. Miriam's on-stage fall and immediate rectification of it shows a strength of character which has resonated throughout her life since this time.
Miriam talks about her on-stage fall to RFA. Miriam's on-stage fall and immediate rectification of it shows a strength of character which has resonated throughout her life since this time.
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She also talks about how she faced other challenges after this time such as financial troubles after being scammed by a friend in a real estate investment scheme, having troubles with her career and also having relationship troubles after she married a Hong Kong-based Italian man who she later divorced.
Many of these troubles, including a strained relationship with her parents, came at once and left Miriam confused and depressed. However, she quickly picked herself back up again and found spiritual solace and strength through religion. |
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She revived her career as a popular major television anchor host and said she has now found the man of her dreams, her partner in life, who would love and care for her. She married Ardy Roberto, a Christian author and motivational speaker and she is now very happy. They have a wonderful family together with Josh (little Joshy).
Photo above: Ardy Roberto and Miriam Quiambao in love.
Photo below: Miriam and Ardy after their marriage whilst honeymooning on the beaches of Southern France.
Photo below: Miriam and Ardy after their marriage whilst honeymooning on the beaches of Southern France.
Photo below: Miriam, Ardy and Josh (little Joshy) living the family dream.
Miriam is also the author of an inspirational book called "He Can Catch You When You Fall: The Continuing Story of Miriam Quiambao".
You can purchase this book through the FilOz Children's Bookstore in Sydney which is run by Miriam's sister Jed:
Link to Miriam's Book
Ph: 0401 414 050
Email: jedgerona@gmail.com
Website: www.filozchildrensbookstore.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/filozchildrensbookstore
You can purchase this book through the FilOz Children's Bookstore in Sydney which is run by Miriam's sister Jed:
Link to Miriam's Book
Ph: 0401 414 050
Email: jedgerona@gmail.com
Website: www.filozchildrensbookstore.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/filozchildrensbookstore