High-profile attendees at the 2016 Philippine Fiesta, which was held at Melbourne Showground over the weekend included Robin Scott - the Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Shadow Minister Inga Peulich, Federal Senator Jane Hume, Dr Mimmie Claudine Ngum Chi Watts from the Board of AMES Australia and Leader of the Federal Opposition Bill Shorten.
Ross Manuel, Chairperson, Philippine Fiesta Victoria Incorporated (PFVI) said that the Philippine Fiesta is a much awaited festival and that it is a vibrant celebration showcasing Filipino cultural heritage and a great opportunity to strengthen communal involvement and voluntary participation.
"Our Fiesta’s theme this year articulates one of the cherished Filipino values: Utang na loob or 'Debts of Gratitude'. Hence, DALAWANG BANSA, ISANG DIWA which recognises the blessings afforded to us, by the two countries close to our hearts. The Philippines and Australia," says Manuel.
Manny Asuncion, one of the Directors of PFVI emphasized that the yearly celebration of the Philippine Fiesta features a theme that accentuates the ambiance and aura of the festival as well as the values, dreams and ambition of migrant Filipinos.
"Migrant Filipinos are truly blessed with their opulent customs, values and traditions woven in their arts, language and culture which they inherited from their forefathers, and have a long history fought with heroic struggles for independence," Manny Asuncion said.
Prime Minister Turnbull said in his message for the Philippine Fiesta souvenir program that Australia and the Philippines share a deep and lasting friendship underpinned by common values and community links.
Turnbull says this year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and the Philippines, although the first contact between the people of both countries occurred almost 150 years ago.
"The arrival of Filipino pearlers (pearl divers) in the nineteenth century was just the first chapter in the long and cherished history of Australia-Philippines ties, a history which today encompasses multiple generations of migrants, students, tourists and entrepreneurs”, the Prime Minister added.
But the presence of the Federal Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten and his family at the Philippine Fiesta 2016 last Sunday to personally deliver his message with so much enthusiasm gave a lot of encouragement to the Filipino-Australians.
Below: See Bill Shorten, Federal Leader of the Opposition in Australia deliver his full message at the Philippine Fiesta 2016:
And to the newly arrived Filipino migrants, they were inspired to hear Bill Shorten talk about his acknowledgement of the Filipino contribution to Australia – something that would make them strive hard to achieve great outcomes from their migration.
"The story of Filipino contribution to Australia is the story of small business, it is the story of hard work; it’s the story of doing well in secondary school; it’s the story of looking after older people in your families as they get older; it’s a story of community and looking after each other and enriching this whole story," said Shorten.
"I cannot imagine Australia without the Filipino immigration and what you add to this story."
No doubt such a positive message about Filipino migration warmed the hearts of the many attendees who received the message.
But most of all, the Philippine Fiesta 2016 conveys a message that it is an important event that Filipino-Australians can get together to celebrate.
