A number of Sydney’s migrant communities responded to the appeal to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan ( local Philippine name Typhoon Yolanda) and initiated fund raising activities in collaboration with the Alliance of Philippine Community Organisation or APCO.
Fundraising activities by Vietnamese Community of Australia (VCA), NSW Chapter at Bankstown, Canley Heights and Cabramatta culminated with a Charity Concert at the Vietnamese Community Centre in Bonnyrigg, netting about $70,000.
For its part, the Indian Community’s Sweet Vibrations Band headed by Nicky Pillay have organised a Christmas Dance Special with APCO as collaborator and raised more than $1,115.00 towards Philippine Disaster Relief Fund.
Mr Jhun Salazar, President of APCO Inc, said, “ I am particularly touched by the level of concern and generosity they have shown to help the survivors and will forever grateful for their overwhelming support to our fund raising efforts”.
“They are an inspiration to some Filipino-Australians to be more active than just standing on the sidelines and just hoping for the best outcome”, he said
The Uruguayan Charity Event was held on 8th December 2013 at the Uruguayan Social & Sporting Club (USSC) in Hinchinbrook, with the Visayan Dance Group and the Fil-Oz Dance Group and Brian Lorenz and his cousin Nora all contributed to the event.
Present was the USSC Director Mr John La Palma and the Filipino Chaplain of the Diocese of Sydney Father Nards Mercene. The amount raised will be used towards helping Fr Nards Mercene send more boxes of relief goods for the Typhoon victims.
The Sweet Vibrations Christmas Dance Special was held on the 13th December at the Redgum Function Centre in Wentworthville with special appearance and performance by Melanie Balagtas the current Miss Philippines Australia and Miss Charity Queen 2013.
A dance performance was provided by the Mindanao Ethnic Dance Group and members of Sedgwick Housing Co-operative. Brian Lorenz Babon mesmerized the crowd with his solo “My Prayer” backed by soprano Linda Trinidad who earlier staged a stunning operatic performance.
The Sweet Vibrations Band led by Nicky Pillay provided a special night for dancing couples through a repertoire of old and contemporary music. “Sweet Mamaz” Neria Soliman and Baby Kasilag with Doc Tito and Rommel enjoyed dancing. Mr Chris Pilao with members of Australian Philippine Services League or APSL lend support with their presence while members of the Praise Family Apostolate Liverpool , the Visayan Association of Australia and Fil-Oz Liverpool associations came to lend a hand in the setup of the venue and packing up after the event.
Mr Sylvan Moodioy and staff of Australian Vanlines, who has been active supporter of the Filipino community for 20 years, came to lend support. He helped facilitate the transport of the huge Jose Rizal statue that stands in Rizal Park in Campbelltown also came to support the event.
The Vietnamese Charity Musical Concert was held at the Vietnamese Community and Cultural Centre in Bonnyrigg on the 15th December. The Club president Dr Peter Thang of the Vietnamese Community in Australia , “How can we stand by and not do anything to help our human beings?
“Moreover, how can we forget the multiple kindness shown by the Filipino people to the Vietnamese in our own tragic times. During the Vietnam War the Philippines was a close ally and stood by the South Vietnamese Army where Filipinos died for us.
“For almost 30 years, the Philippines provided temporary homes for us in Palawan, Bataan, Cebu and Manila, with over 300,000 Vietnamese refugees finding sanctuary there.”
“The Vietnamese Community wants to express its gratitude to the Filipino People by helping them in their own hour of need,.” Dr Thang said.
The event was attended by the Honourable John Dowd AO QC, President of Action Aid Australia, an international aid organisation, of which the proceeds from the bucket collection in Canley Heights, Cabramatta, Bankstown and the Concert will go to.
Also in attendance were the President of APCO Inc. Jhun Salazar and its affiliated members, with the President of the VCA Dr Peter Thang Ha and various leaders from Vietnamese community. The entertainment was entirely provided by the Vietnamese Community with the exception of a Filipino Dance Group from Manila who performed a colourful dance.
The event raised an amount close to $70,000.00 towards ActionAid Australia.
Meanwhile, APCO intends to spearhead another public collection drive at the Westfield shopping centre in Burwood 16th to 20th December with the approval of cntre management.
APCO Inc.is aiming to continue its fundraising efforts to beef up its HEAL (Humanitarian Emergency and Livelihood) funding project including its feeding [rogram for the orphans.By Richard Ford.