PR-028-2021
Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo (center) flanked by City Counsellor Philip Le Liu, Deputy Consul General Anthony Mandap (to her left and right, respectively), FASTCO President Kimberly Clemencio (second from left) and other officers of FASTCO and the City Council of Melbourne.
As restrictions ease in Melbourne and in time for the holidays, the Filipino-Australian Student Council of Victoria organized the Kamayan Festival on 9 December 2021 to bring international students together. The decision to hold the festival was an offshoot of a needs assessment survey conducted by the Filipino-Australian Student Council (FASTCO) of Victoria in September 2021 which showed that students felt burnt out and isolated from the community.
Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo who was the guest of honor at the festival thanked the City Council and the Salvation Army for providing “The Couch” where international students can feel at home in a caring and sharing environment. Melbourne City Councillor Philip Le Liu and Major Brendan Nottle of the Salvation Army also celebrated with the students and delivered their well-wishes.
The Kamayan Festival was a celebration of Filipino culture, bringing together Filipino students and other communities who want to experience Filipino hospitality in Australia. Held at The Couch International Students Center at the Salvation Army Headquarters in Melbourne, Filipino talents were also featured. -END-
