Press Release

Filipino achievers join APCO thanksgiving party

By Ruben Amores
Sydney-Australia
July 22, 2014



APCO’s  thanksgiving party this year took on a new twist – the presence of Filipino achievers who shared their success stories.  Held at Kapit-bahayan Cooperative Ltd’s Canley Vale site on 19 July from 11:00am – 2:00pm, the party was primarily organised to publicly acknowledge the support of all who contributed to the success of the2014 Freedom Luncheon and Ball celebrations.

 In spite of the cold and wind, all the guests were definitely warmth by the abundant positive attitude, winning ways and hospitality of the members. More than a hundred feasted on a variety of sumptuous home-cooked Filipino food generously donated by the APCO Board, Advisers and Kapit-bahayan Cooperative Ltd.

Among the special guests were Dr Gabriel Carreon, a highly regarded community elder ; Senior Patrolman and Case Manager of PCYC Belmore who has been  transforming the lives of the youth through his revolutionary programs in crime prevention, life skills and humanitarian partnership project with APCO; Pinoy Australian  Bantamweight Champion  Roberto Lerio, Kim Vo, a Vietnamese but married to a Filipino, who was instrumental in the very successful medical mission to Solana and Tuguegarao, Cagayan in the Philippines  and  Daisy Cumming who talked about her two huge paintings of revolutionary heroes, Andres Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini that she donated to the Philippine government .  Maria Maguire, who represented Sydney Alliance in  receiving  a Certificate of Appreciation for its active support to APCO’s  Typhoon Haiyan’s Relief Appeal, talked about three important issues (transport, affordable housing and start work) that Sydney Alliance has been advocating for on the lead up to the 2015 NSW state election.

Certificates of Appreciation were given to Freedom Ball event managers Albert Prias and Charles  Chan;  cultural performers: The Carreon Quartet, Mindanao Ethnic Dance Group, VAA Dancers, VSD Dancers, Linda Trinidad Emerson Tuazon, Brian Lorenz Babon and Joven Estigoy. Emcees Kris Albano and Darlene  Macabulos and the four judges for the Filipiniana and Barong Competition: Valerie Tolosa, Leah Prieto, Mahalia Golebiowski and Melanie Balagtas could not make it. Also present were members of the media, Jimmy Pimentel and wife Isabel, Evelyn Zaragoza, Marilie Bomediano, Mon and Nilda Carpo.

Entertainment numbers were provided by coloratura soprano, Linda Trinidad, Annie Marquez, VSD Dancerz and Nick Meissner. Free raffles was participated in by all guests while prizes were donated by the APCO Board and advisers.