Filipino News

Memorial Mass to honour the late Pres. Aquino

• The Philippines and the rest of the democratic world are in mourning over the passing of former President Cory Aquino, acknowledged as one of the country’s most respected leaders and responsible for restoring democracy in the Philippines.

  As a tribute and meaningful remembrance of the late President, UBI Pinoy and the Philippine Community Council-NSW are inviting everyone to attend the Memorial Mass in Mrs. Aquino’s honour on Sunday, 9 August at 11am AEST at the Mary Immaculate Parish Church, corner of Mimosa and Restwell Roads, Bossley Park NSW.

  The Mass will be officiated by Fr. Nards Mercene, Filipino Chaplain of the Sydney Archdiocese. Fellowship follows after the Mass, and all are encouraged to bring and share food and refreshments.

  The Mass is being coordinated by the Filipino Chaplaincy, Archdiocese of Sydney and FilCOS Fairfield with the Philippine Community Council of NSW and the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney.

  For enquiries, call PCC-NSW’s Ronaldo Villaver on 0423 590 561.

Phil Consulate's Dual Citizens & OAVs campaign

• With the May 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections looming, the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney has stepped up its campaign for ‘Dual Citizenship’ and registration for Overseas Absentee Voters (OAVs) for Filipinos who will be outside of the Philippines on election day.

   

  Eligible to cast a vote for the Philippine presidency, under law, are all Filipino-Australian dual citizens and all Filipino citizens in Australia.

   

  In order to cast a vote in May 2010, Filipino-Australian dual citizens and Filipino citizens in Australia must register as OAVs by 31 August 2009. 

   

  Philippine-born Australian citizens are also encouraged to regain their Philippine citizenship and become dual citizens as well as register as OAVs by 31 August 2009 in order to vote in the elections. Becoming a dual citizen would not affect Australian citizenship.

   

  As part of the intensified campaign, the Philippine Consulate NSW is holding dual citizenship and OAV forums with Filipino communities and organisations across NSW. To enquire about these forums or to register as OAVs, please contact the Philippine Consulate NSW on 02 9262 7377 or email contact@philippineconsulate.com.au

   

  For further information and to access the official release of the Philippine Consulate NSW, visit http://www.philippineconsulate.com.au/aAugust1.7.09.htm or the COMELEC website, http://www.comelec.gov.ph/oav/2010elec/contreg/komiks/komiks_01.html

2 Filipino-Australians elected to NSW gov’t

• Posted: 17 October 2008

  Australia’s Filipino community has hailed the election of two of its own in the recent NSW local council elections.

  Jess Diaz was elected Councillor under the Liberal ticket of Blacktown City, home to the largest number of Filipinos in Australia, with an estimated 21,000 Filipino residents as of the 2006 Australian Census. Diaz, a lawyer and an active community leader, is the first Filipino to be elected in the multi-cultural and predominantly Filipino area.

  Irene Ensomo-Broad was re-elected as an independent Councillor in the shire of Temora. Ensomo-Broad is regarded as the first Filipino to be elected into public office in NSW, having been elected to the same post in 2004. Hers is a rare feat, considering she was elected in a region where very few females participated in politics. She was credited with shaping and orienting policies that have made Temora one of the most progressive and friendliest towns in NSW.