The Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations (APCO – Salazar) celebrated the commemoration of Philippine Independence Day with a Freedom Charity Ball held at Pabico Club 55 in Mount Druitt, NSW last Saturday 12th June 2021.
Cutting of celebration cake 
APCO dancers 
APCO dancers
Unlike previous celebrations, this year’s event was a low key given the lack of time to prepare under limited circumstances. Although it is smaller than the usual, the Freedom Ball celebration was not lacking of the official ceremony and cultural highlights that define the significance of the occasion.
The association’s Senior Vice President and Immediate Past President Mrs. Cora Paras welcomed participants shortly before the singing of the National Anthems of the Philippines and Australia.
Previous APCO Inc President and current Director Pet Storey delivered the invocation. A video presentation showed the various activities of APCO for the last 12 years while the guests were having a sumptuous dinner.
A resident singer Lilli Mejica entertained the guests with vocal rendition setting the mood of the night as pleasurable as anyone could ever enjoy. She performed a mix of smooth and groovy tunes enticing the guests to jive into dancing.
A highlight of the night was a spectacular performance by APCO’S own soprano coloratura, Linda Trinidad Sacilotto. She beautifully rendered the patriotic song Ang Bayan Ko while the three lovely ladies dramatized the role of historic ladies of Philippine revolution.
The APCO ladies and the roles they reenacted were Violy Miguel as Dona Marcela Marino de Agoncillo, Cora Perez as Lorenza Agoncillo, daughter of Dona Marcela and Cora Paras as Delfina Herbosa de Natividad (niece of Dr Jose P Rizal). They reenacted sewing of the national flag, which was reportedly designed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo during his exile in Hongkong in 1897.
Newly-elected President of APCO Inc Jhun Salazar delivered the keynote address.
He emphasized that the Freedom was gained 123 years ago by blood, sweat and tears of our forefathers and today that freedom is marred by injustices and inhumane treatment by Filipino brothers and sisters. Mr Salazar said there is a need for wholesome change of attitudes, behaviors, outlooks and approaches to everyday life situations by becoming a humble and charitable human being.
The APCO (Oz-Fil) Dancers added colors to the celebration by performing two cultural dances with outfits reminiscent of old but with a modern touch which were skillfully created by dressmaker and community songstress Linda Trinidad.
APCO officials awarded certificates of appreciations to volunteers who were relied upon even during the challenging period.
A celebratory cake prepared by Dian Ford and adorned with a replica of the Philippine Flag highlighted APCO’s commemoration of Philippines’ 123 years of freedom from 18981 to 2021. Many are thankful to disc jockey Dizzy Dizon for the non-stop disco dancing and to fitness dance leader Jaeden de Asis for the Zumba exercises. Contents from Richard Ford’s report