PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

18 June 2024, SYDNEY – Ambassador Ma. Hellen De La Vega joined the Filipino community in New South Wales in the annual Philippine National Day Ball organized by the Philippine Community Council of New South Wales (PCC-NSW) on 12 June 2024 in celebration of the 126th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence. The event was participated in by more than 500 guests across NSW which included Members of NSW Parliament. Dr. Andrew Charlton, Member for Parramatta, led the toast ceremony together with Ambassador De La Vega.

In her remarks, Ambassador De La Vega recognised the significant contributions of the Filipino communities in the strong people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Australia which helped reinforce the Strategic Partnership. She encouraged the Filipino diaspora to continue their efforts to raise the profile of the community and nurture their patriotism.

Th event also featured Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and cultural performances such as the Dinagyang (a religious and cultural street dance which honors the Holy Child Jesus and commemorates the arrival of Malay settlers in Panay Island) and La Jota (a traditional dance which combines Spanish and Filipino elements and involves castanets or bamboo clappers).

New South Wales (NSW) hosts the largest Filipino migrant community in Australia, with over 150,000 Filipinos. -END-