ONE FINE DAY WITH THE ELDERLY FILIPINOS OF MAHARLIKA IN MELBOURNE

Happy Care Services is the trade name of the Philippine Australian Foundation (Victoria), Inc. or PAFI, according to Ernie Demate, its President and a founding member of the Filipino Community Council of Victoria, Inc. (FCCVI), the registered umbrella group or federation of Filipino organizations in Victoria.

“Our focus is to enable the elderly enhance independence, social inclusion, and overall well-being and to make ageing life worth living,” Mr. Demate added. PAFI offers a broad range of aged care services and ancillary social or public welfare undertakings and activities such as personal care, housekeeping assistance, home maintenance, clinical care, mobility assistance, transport services and related social or public welfare activities.

In their monthly meeting on 11 March 2021, PAFI invited Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo to visit the Philippine House in the suburb of Footscray, in order to meet the members of Maharlika Groups 1 & 2, most of whom are in their 70s and 80s. “Congratulations, you have done well in your second home-country! In your senior years, continue to do the things that make you happy,” she enthused even as she heartened them to keep their bodies, mind and spirit active.

She also encouraged the Filipinos in Australia to keep the passion alive from when they first set foot in Australia. “We pass on our Filipino values to the next generation and inspire them to do their best. We start with our own circle of family and friends then reach out to others. We may have different interests but we can certainly contribute to the community in our own way.” Noting that an increasing number of Filipinos in Victoria may pose a challenge in efforts for a unified Filipino Community, she nonetheless expressed hope for harmony and collaboration among Filipinos in Victoria.

Marina Garcia-Ruivivar, a founding editor of The Philippine Times, narrated how PAFI came to be as the fund-raising arm of FCCVI back in 1992 when it was first established. She is also the founder of FCCVI and a founding member of FILCCA. Perla Luetic, another founding member of PAFI, is still very much active as its current Secretary. “We look forward to our monthly meetings as our way of supporting one another,” she said.

PAFI established the Philippine House in Footscray through various fund-raising campaigns such as the Princess Quest, a humble donation from the local government, and concerted efforts of members and supporters of the Filipino Community.END