Photos by Jade Cadelina.
The Philippine Consulate General’s office in Sydney led a simple but meaningful celebration by the Philippine community for the 15oth birth anniversary of Philippine hero Apolinario Mabini, otherwise known as the Sublime Paralytic.
A number of community organisations, offered poetry reading, and some song numbers mostly in Filipino language, presentation of a gift painting depicting historical scene, not to mention an address by the Philippine Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis highlighted the celebration.
The remembrance of Mabini and the important role he played as the prime minister to General Emilio Aguinaldo’s presidency in the short-lived Philippine Republic of 1898 was even made more relevant these days with the recognition of contribution of people with disability.
As the highest political adviser to the Philippine revolutionary government during his days, Mabini was recognised as the “brains” behind General Aguinaldo’s government. Mabini was a staunch legal adviser and he was the architect behind the proclamation of Aguinaldo’s dictatorial government which existed shortly before American occupation in the midst of the American-Spanish War which reached Philippine shores after American incursion into Cuba.
Mabini was often depicted later in celebratory posters and in Philippine banknote as the important national official carried on hammock by travelling Philippine revolutionary troop.
Philippine Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis welcomed the occasion as part of the consulate’s continued commitment either to host or facilitate celebration of important dates ad events in Philippine history, in behalf of the community especially the growing number of second generation Filipino migrants.
Among those who attended were members of the organisation Order of the Knights of Rizal or OKOR, officials of the pek organisations Philippine Community Council of NSW (PCC-NSW), Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations or APCO, consulate staff, and a few personalities visiting from the Philippines.
Mabini’s 150th anniversary program was held at the Bulwagang Rizal at the Philippine Consulate General office in Sydney , attended by members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, officials of peak organisations Philippine Communities Council of NSW (PCC-NSW), the Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations or APCO, visiting entertainment and cultural personalities, and consulate staff.