SPECIAL TO BAYANIHAN NEWS BY BY RIC DE VERA – Ms Priscilla Keogh from the lower North Shore suburb of Waverton won the 22nd PAL Kalayaan cup golf tournament held at the prestigious Macquarie Links International Golf Club held last June 12, 2017, to celebrate the 119th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence.
 She scored stunning 44 points under the stableford scoring system using her declared handicap of 13 with NSW Golf Club. She was awarded with the crystal glass championship trophy, economy class return airfare to Manila courtesy of Philippine Airlines and the privilege to engrave her name in the perpetual trophy.
Priscilla was also the winner of the 17th series of this tournament in 2012, the only lady and only second time champion in Kalayaan Cup’s 22 years history. “Am so happy and this time it was 18 holes said an excited Prescila who was referring to her previous win when it was only nine holes due to heavy rain.
Division winners were: Buddy Zabat for A with score of 41 stableford points using his handicap of 9 with MLIGC; Francis Bautista for B with score of 41 points using his handicap of 24 with Tee-reffic Berdies/Puro Golf club; Anton Andres for C with score of 40 points using his handicap of 29 with Sydney Metro Social golf club and Deb Adams for Ladies with score of 39 points using her declared AGU handicap of 26. These division winners received $300 cash prize, crystal glass trophies and box of golf balls for their exceptional efforts.
Division runners up were: Nanding dela Cruz for A with score of 39 points using his AGU handicap of 17 with Stonecutters Ridge Golf club; Jim Castillo for B with score of 38 points using his handicap of 23 with Sydney Metro Social golf club; Caesar David for C with score of 40 points using his handicap of 31 with Sydney Jokers social golf club and Kate Andres for Ladies with score of 39 points using her handicap of 39 with Sydney Metro Social golf club. These division runners up winners received $150 cash prize, crystal glass trophies and box of golf balls.
Novelty prize winners of $20 each in Divisions A, B & C for all holes of either longest drive, nearest the pins and best drive & pitch were also awarded.
Before the awards presentation, this writer as chairperson of the Kalayaan Organising Committee welcomed all the participants and acknowledged the presence and support of various social golf clubs and groups. In particular the Sydney Metro Social Golf club (Vangie Leones), Tee-reffic Berdies/Puro Golf Club (Toto Quintana), Golf ParE Social Club (Alex Cruz), Pogi Golf (Noel Santos), Thai Golf Association (Sutti Sutontanyakorn), Indonesian Golf Club (Tony Wijaya). Sydney Jokers (Carlos Perez), Fairgolf Social golf club (Cris Bacucang) and visitors from other clubs.
In her message, the Philippine Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis praised the perfect weather and acknowledged the continued support of Philippine Airlines, our national flag carrier.
She said, “ Please take note of the current theme of this year’s celebration which is ‘Pagbabagong Sama samang Balikatin†which means change in promoting harmony between the communities and countries that we represent. She praised the Kalayaan Organising Committee and wish them more success in the future.
For his part, the PAL country manager Ian Robinson expressed his appreciation to the Kalayaan Organising Committee for the successful holding of the golf tournament which everyone enjoyed, including himself. He indicated his desire for PAL to continue this tradition which was started some sixteen years ago as the holder of naming rights of the tournament.
 He mentioned that in the 76th years of PAL and over 50 years in Sydney, it has grown to more Australian networks, i.e. Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin & Cairns. Next month the Airbus A330 will be launched in Melbourne & Sydney. One of PAL’s objectives is to continue to work with the Filipino-Australian communities in maintaining a connection for family and loved ones in the Philippines, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard a PAL flight soon. He finally said.
All holes were sponsored by the following at $150 per hole: 1) NLC Electrical & Air-Conditioning Services, 2) Delos Reyes Interiors, 3) G & J Automotive, 4) Dr Corazon Alvarez-Francisco, 5) Filcos Fairfield, 6) Hayward Real Estate, 7) & 16) AAES Air-Conditioning Specialist, 8) Enelra Aesthetic Centre, 9) & 13) Mortgage House, 10) & 17) LJ Hooker Blacktown, 11) Knights of Rizal Sydney Chapter, 12) Phil-Oz Golf Inc. (POGI), 14) Oscar Clemente, 15) JRP Realty and 18) Golden Globe Travel.
The Kalayaan Organising Committee which was formed in early 2016 has the responsibility of organising, promoting and maintaining the annual PAL Kalayaan Cup golf tournament in conjunction with the celebration of the proclamation of Philippine Independence. All members are volunteers and are assigned in different tasks.