PR-04-2022
“Congratulations to this brilliant collaboration between the Filipino Community Council of Victoria, Inc. (FCCVI) and the Samahan ng mga Pilipino Australians sa Gippsland (SPAG). Thank you for gathering together and reliving the tradition of Philippine fiestas,” greeted Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo at the opening of the Gippsland Filipino Festival on 13 February 2022 at the Morwell Sunday Market.
The Gippsland region is approximately 300 kms southeast from Melbourne and is home to around 2,000 residents with Filipino ancestry. It has six local government areas or shires with Morwell as the third population center. The region is known for its mining, power generation and farming, notably dairy farming.
Jerry Baladjay, President of SPAG, has been the ‘muscle’ and inspiration for the Filipino-Australians in the region. Together with Ann Munro, Liza Di Blasio, Enalyn Ilongo and others, they have organized annual festivities except in the last two years during the pandemic.
FCCVI has provided assistance to SPAG for the Gippsland Filipino Festival as well as its aged care services which was launched during the recent Filipino festival.
At the event, Consul General Salcedo announced the various consular services of the Philippine Consulate General, including passport services so that Filipinos no longer have to travel to Canberra and Sydney. She also distributed application forms for dual citizenship. “I heard that many of you may wish to reacquire your Philippine citizen under RA 9225. Well, I have brought with me application forms and list of requirements. We can come back for your oathtaking and also for passporting,” she said.
Top: President of Samahan ng mga Pilipino-Australian sa Gippsland Jerry Baladjay, directing his Ati-Atihan Group during the opening of the Gippsland Filipino Festival.
Below: ConGen Salcedo with the Mabuhay dancers.
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