Philippine Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo joins organizers, performers and sponsors of the event
On 03 September 2023, Melbourne, Australia – The UP Alumni Association of Victoria, Australia, spearheaded by community leader Janeca Gross, organized the Kwentong Pinoy Family Festival with the theme, Balikatan para sa Kalikasan, (shoulder to shoulder for the environment) aimed to promote environmental awareness to an audience of over 120 participants, including approximately 40 Filipino and Filipino-Australian children. The event coincided with the month-long Philippine Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (ManaMo 2023).
Philippine Consul General Maria Lourdes M. Salcedo delivered the opening remarks stressing the importance of stories in handing down traditions and in conveying important messages such as looking after the environment. Following her was an address by Mara Baviera, Climate Resilience Lead at the Merri-Bek City Council who engaged the children on climate awareness. Joseph Yap, founder and co-owner of “Zero Tag,” showed the audience the current state of marine pollution in the Philippines, and showcased the marine-friendly bag that they developed.
Left: Philippine Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo delivering the opening remarks. Right: the venue, the Library at the Docks, is a waterfront community space in Melbourne that provided a setting for the appreciation of maritime awareness.
The Kiko Choir, a Filipino-Australian choir then performed “Paraiso” with Chedi Vergara of Smokey Mountain. They also taught the children how to sing “Bahay Kubo” with a thorough explanation of the lyrics and their English translation.
Left: The Kiko Choir led the children in singing Bahay Kubo. Right: Chedi Vergara of Smokey Mountain leads the Kiko Choir in singing their hit environmental song “Paraiso”.
The children were also treated to activities such as puppet-making, jewelry-making, and card-making with an environmental slant. Closing the event was a storytelling session of Augie Rivera’s “Bayan ng Basura”, which delved on the hazards of marine pollution.
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