PR-09-2026
MELBOURNE, Australia — 22 August 2026 — The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne successfully conducted a special celebration of Book Week and Buwan ng Wika on Saturday, 22 August 2026, bringing together Filipino-Australian families and community partners in recognition of the importance of literature, language, and cultural heritage.
The activity was jointly organised by Ms. Janeca Gross, author of Once Upon a Jeepney and founder of Katha Kollectiv; Ms. Aubrey Garrido, illustrator of the book; and Ms. Nikki De Lima, founder of Mabuhay Playgroup, who served as emcee for the programme.
The celebration featured a range of engaging activities designed to promote bilingual children’s literature by Filipino-Australian authors and encourage heritage language learning through storytelling and creative activities. The programme provided children and families with opportunities to develop an appreciation for the Filipino language and culture while strengthening their connection to their Filipino heritage.
Adding to the programme, Ms. Chedi Vergara, former vocalist of Smokey Mountain, led an interactive sing-along session accompanied by musical instruments. This was followed by a jeepney craft-making activity, which provided participants with an opportunity to express their creativity while engaging with a familiar symbol of Filipino culture. Giveaways generously provided by the Filipino Community Council of Victoria Inc. (FCCVI) were also distributed to participants.
The event highlighted the important contribution of Filipino-Australian authors, illustrators, educators, and community organisations in fostering a love of reading and supporting the transmission of Filipino language and culture to younger generations. Through bilingual books and culturally relevant stories, children are given opportunities to see their heritage reflected in literature and to develop a deeper appreciation of their Filipino identity.
The Philippine Consulate General commends Katha Kollectiv and Mabuhay Playgroup for their initiative and expresses its appreciation to the organisers, partners, volunteers, families, and participants who contributed to the success of the celebration.
The successful conduct of the activity underscores the Consulate General’s continued commitment to supporting initiatives that promote Filipino language, literature, culture, and heritage, particularly among the younger generation of Filipino-Australians. END
