PR-12-2025
Geelong, VIC – The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne successfully conducted a Consular Mobile Outreach Mission at the sidelines of the Philippine Independence Day Adobo & Barbecue Festival: Culture, Food, and Business Expo, held at the Geelong Racing Club on 25 May 2025.
Led by Acting Head of Post Ralph Vincent C. Abarquez, the outreach team delivered essential consular services including passport applications, notarials (acknowledgments and jurats), and responded to inquiries related to various consular matters. Attendees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to access services locally, noting significant savings in time, cost, and the need to take time off work or family obligations.
The festival drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 5,000 people and featured more than 40 stalls showcasing Filipino cuisine, heritage, and entrepreneurship. Guests enjoyed a vibrant array of cultural performances, community engagement, and culinary presentations that reflected the rich diversity and creativity of the Filipino-Australian community.
The event began with a cultural parade featuring Filipino-Australian communities from Geelong, Colac, Ballarat, Wimmera, and Melbourne, proudly representing their regions in traditional attire. This was followed by an indoor stage program featuring stirring renditions of the Philippine and Australian national anthems, and remarks from Acting Head of Post Abarquez, Councillor Eddy Kontelj, Member of Parliament Ella George (Lara), and Mr. Gerard Felipe of the Geelong Chamber of Commerce.
Community performances included Parallax Performing Arts, FilOz Hip Hop Crew, After-Hours Band, the Wimmera Filipino Australian Club dancers, soloist Vince Jordan Asuncion, the FAABI Children’s Group, all-female vocal group Black Lace, indigenous musician Romualdo Sanidad, and finalists from the “Celebrate Your Voice” singing competition. The evening concluded with performances by Heartbeat Band and popular Filipino-Australian comedian Mega SAM.
A standout moment was the traditional Igorot dance led by Gerard Felipe and Jay Marasigan, accompanied by gangsa gongs and enthusiastic audience participation, in celebration of indigenous Filipino heritage.
Adding to the cultural experience, Soul Food Fusion House—together with the Filipino Chefs Association of Victoria (FCAV)—hosted two sold-out sittings of a five-course Filipino degustation luncheon. With 26 and 29 guests per session, the menu showcased innovative renditions of adobo, offering a modern culinary take on the Philippines’ most iconic dish.
The festival was organized by the Filipino community in Geelong in collaboration with Filipino business groups, the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne, the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, and several key sponsors. It served as a festive kickoff to the 2025 Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Victoria.
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