Filipino-Australian Community Association, Eastern Sydney (FACAES) Officers Induction of Officers and Father’s Day Celebration

By Francis de los Santos
Past President and currently FACAES Adviser/Consultant
Kensington-NSW-Australia
September 25, 2015



A well attended Induction Ceremony of the newly elected FACAES officers was held on 05 September 2015 at the Masonic Centre, Kensington, NSW in which 18 new inductees of the association are to serve for 2 years from 2015 – 2017. The elected officers promised to continue serving the Filipino-Australian Community in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, specifically the Randwick-Maroubra area and to foster friendship and camaraderie among the community and also to promote the rich Filipino culture and tradition. The event also coincided with Father’s Day celebration that featured songs, dances and most of all, the sumptuous Filipino food especially prepared by FACAES family and friends.

Vice President elect Mr. Roque Molavin welcomed FACAES family, friends, including existing and new members who signed up that day.  Mr. Molavin thanked everyone for attending considering it’s a weekend event. He encouraged his fellow elected officers including long time members to actively participate in various programs of the association and also the membership drive to enable FACAES to  spread the word among the community that this volunteer association is ready to help and assist Filipino-Australian residents of the area, specifically new Filipino migrants who are strangers and having difficulty to cope up with the Australian way of life in the Randwick-Maroubra area.   FACAES, the first ever Filipino community association formed in the Randwick-Maroubra in 2007,  had already made representation in NSW by participating in major Filipino organized community event like the annual Fiesta Kultura fielding its own candidate to vie for the Miss Philippine-Australia crown.  For the last several years FACAES candidates won several awards, trophies and certificates.  As an active community association, FACAES is an affiliate  member of the Philippine Community Council of NSW, the umbrella organisation of Filipino community associations operating in New South Wales.

The 4-hour fun-filled night of singing and dancing showcased the Filipino talents in music and dance as performers were called to the stage one after the other.   A special song rendition came from 3 seasoned performers with the likes of Miss Desa Santos, Mr. Jay Gaerlan, and Miss Gabby Escubio leading the cast entertaining and mesmerizing the crowd with popular song numbers.  An upcoming child singer Sandra Morales made a solid impression with a song number dedicated to her Dad Raul.  A special guest performer  and the new child singing sensation Ella Manalo, wowed the crowd with her powerful rendition of Jesse J's “Flashlight” which drew a loud applause from the audience.  The dancing trio of  Precy Santos, Dolly Borbe and Porsha Pepic made heads turned showing their dancing prowess on the floor as their hips swayed, while their bodies moved relentlessly with the tune of  One Direction’s “What Makes you Beautiful”.  Overall, all those who attended the event and celebrated Father’s Day that evening agreed that it was truly an enjoyable and fantastic night to remember.  One family admitted that they were treated to a total entertainment galore.

During the Induction Ceremony, Consul Marford Angeles from the Philippine Consulate Office in Sydney led the recitation of the Oath of Office of  the newly elected FACAES officers.  Consul Angeles expressed thanks and appreciation to FACAES for inviting him as Inducting Officer of the 18 new officers for 2015-2017 term of office.  In his brief message, he acknowledged FACAES, its officers and members including their families, who attended the event and spent their valuable time to be together that weekend to witness the  Induction Ceremony and also to celebrate Father's Day.   Consul Angeles also extended his appreciation to FACAES for using their valuable time and resources to work for the betterment of the Filipino community.   In addition, the Consul advised that the registration for Overseas Voting for the 2016 Philippine national elections will end on 31 October 2015 and encouraged all Filipinos to visit the Consulate to register before the deadline.  Furthermore, Consul Angeles mentioned the consular services available from the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney.   He gave his encouragement to the newly elected officers and members of FACAES to continue serving the Filipino community and work towards the betterment  of wider Australian multicultural society.  The Consul  was introduced by one of FACAES business managers, Mr. Joseph Pingol, who read a detailed list of Consul Angeles’ educational and professional qualifications.  After the Induction Ceremony, Consul Angeles was presented a Plaque of Appreciation by FACAES President Mrs. Precy Santos and FACAES Public Relations Officer Mr. Rod Soriano who, on behalf of FACAES, acknowledged Consul Angeles’  invaluable contribution to FACAES during the past and present activities of the association.   It was noted that for the last 8 years, Consul Marford attended most of FACAES events such as Induction of Officers, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas Day’s celebrations.  In December 2013,  FACAES also held a special fund raising event for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that hit the Philippines particularly the provinces of Samar and Leyte.  Apart from Consul Angeles, the Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in Sydney,  ConGen Anne Jalandoon-Louis also attended another FACAES event in September last year for which she was invited as a special guest speaker.  

FACAES also invited a special guest that evening, the Federal Labor MP for Kingsford-Smith, the Honourable MP Matt Thislethwaite, who was introduced by FACAES Adviser/Consultant, Mr. Francis de los Santos.   In his brief speech, MP Matt provided information on how Australia became the oldest continuing culture in the world welcoming immigrants on its shores.  MP Matt added that Australia managed to build a harmonious society comprising of Indigenous Australians, Torres Straight Islanders and other multicultural group for the last 100 years.  MP Matt said that Australia has 420 different languages with 280 different ancestries but still able to establish and maintain goodwill and understanding among its people   The Labor MP also highlighted the role of Filipino-Australians in promoting goodwill and understanding in the Australian society.  The Honourable MP stated that he was able to meet with people from all walks of life that evening like nurses working in the local hospital, teacher working around the same area, a pastor in a local church and others who are part of the Randwick and Maroubra community.  MP Matt told his audience to be proud of themselves for coming to multi cultural Australia with their families to live and settle permanently.   In addition, MP Matt admitted that multicultural people like Filipino-Australians are an important part of the society contributing to the community which makes it more special in this great country.  Lastly, the Honourable MP expressed thanks and appreciation for the invite and he said that he was looking forward working with FACAES in their future programs/projects and offered his help and assistance in whatever way he can. Note:  The Honourable MP Matt Thistlethwaite is currently the Shadow Parliamentary for Foreign Affairs and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration.

Serving for the 2^nd term as FACAES President, Mrs. Eufrosina (Precy) Santos concluded the program by thanking all the people who helped and supported FACAES  to make the event an astounding  success particularly those who cooked and brought lots of Filipino food.   Precy also thanked and appreciated the guest performers who showed their talents and skills that left a very good and lasting impression to everyone.  Precy also encouraged everyone to continue supporting FACAES projects for the next 2 years of her term by actively participating in the Filipino community projects/programs including participation in other multi cultural events being held particularly around Randwick-Maroubra area and the Eastern Suburbs in general.

Shown photo was taken during the Induction of 18 newly elected officers of the Filipino-Australian Community Association, Eastern Sydney (FACAES) for 2015-2017 held at Masonic Centre, Kensington, NSW on 5 Sept. 2015.  The event also coincided with the Father’s Day Celebration with invited guests that included Consul Marford Angeles of the Philippine Consulate in Sydney, who was the Inducting Officer and the Honourable Federal MP Matt Thistlethwaite as the special guest speaker.