By Jose Relunia, Jr
The Filipino Australian community organisations in Penrith led
by the Philippine Language and Cultural Association of Australia (PLCAA) celebrated
the 120th anniversary of the Philippine Independence Day last
Saturday at St Marys Memorial Hall, St Marys. The Philippines proclaimed independence
from Spain on 12 June 1898.
The highlight of the celebration was the special performance of the internationally known Loboc Children’s Choir which flew from Loboc, Bohol, Philippines. Ever so versatile, the children’s choir performed their fabulous repertoire which ranged from classical, folk, Broadway, jazz, contemporary to the traditional Filipino classics.
They started the first part of the program with Filipino classics including the patriotic song Ako ay Filipino which in English means I am a Filipino. The second part of their performance was more on classical, folk and Broadways. They performed memorable songs from favourite Broadway musicals like Beauty and the Beast, Lion King and the Frozen. They ended their performance with the singing of the Advance Australia Fair. After their performance in the first and second parts of the program, the Loboc Children’s Choir received standing ovation.
The Loboc Children’s Choir has 26 members (whose ages range
from 10 – 16). At the helm is Alma Fernando – Taldo, a primary school teacher
who took the reins as musical director and conductor. The Loboc Children’s
Choir has won three times at the National Music Competitions for Young Artists
in the Philippines.
They won also at the European Folksongs Festival in Barcelona, Spain (1993-1995) and took home the gold medal in the children’s choir category in 2001.In 2011, they came third in the Certamen Choral de Tolosa, held in Tolosa Spain and came home last year with the silver medal from the China International Chorus Festival in Beijing, China. They have made their bows before the world’s top dignitaries including the late Pope John Paul II and a command performance for Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain.
They won also at the European Folksongs Festival in Barcelona, Spain (1993-1995) and took home the gold medal in the children’s choir category in 2001.In 2011, they came third in the Certamen Choral de Tolosa, held in Tolosa Spain and came home last year with the silver medal from the China International Chorus Festival in Beijing, China. They have made their bows before the world’s top dignitaries including the late Pope John Paul II and a command performance for Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain.
The 120th Anniversary celebration started with
the raising of the flags – the Philippine flag by Philippine Ambassador to
Australia Minda Calaguian Cruz; the Australian flag by Penrith City Mayor John
Thain and the NSW flag by Councillor Karen Mckeown representing MP for
Londonderry Prue Car MP.
Another highlight was the inspirational message of the Philippine
Ambassador to Australia Minda Calaguian Cruz who touched on the 72 years of
special relationship of the Republic of the Philippines and the Commonwealth of
Australia which she described as sunny and bright. She also traced the
contribution of Filipino migrants from the first group who came in 1850’s as
pearl divers in Broome and Northern Territory to the present.
The celebration also included performances from the PLCAA
Glee Club, the PLCAA Cultural Dancers, Marichu Roy, Christine Rosales, Keisha
Santa Barbara and Clarissa Bock.
The successful event last Saturday was made possible by the
support of the Penrith City Council, the Philippine Consulate Sydney, the
Philippine Department of Tourism, Cebu Pacific Air and Western Union.
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