14 June 2023, SYDNEY - Philippine Ambassador to Australia, H.E Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, together with Consul General Charmaine Aviquivil of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, joined the Filipino community in New South Wales on 12 June 2023 in celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence at Doltone House. The Philippine Communities Council of New South Wales (PCC-NSW), through its president Mr. Cesar Bartolome, led the organizing committee of the celebration with the support of the different Filipino community organizations.

The event was graced by Her Excellency the Honorable Margaret Beazley AC KC, the Governor of New South Wales and Hon. Mark Buttigieg, Member of the NSW Parliament representing the Premier.

In her remarks, Governor Beazley congratulated the Filipino community on their celebration and commended the dedicated efforts of the PCC-NSW in preserving and promoting Filipino culture, traditions and heritage for the last 33 years with the multicultural community of NSW.

Ambassador De La Vega likewise congratulated the Filipino community organizations in New South Wales on their successful collaboration on this year’s milestone celebration. The Philippines is observing a multi-year commemoration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence highlighting the events from 1998 to 1901 that gave birth to the Philippines as the first republic in Asia. The Ambassador said that Filipino Australians are fortunate to call two democracies their home and reiterated the commitment of both Governments to broadening and deepening the long-standing partnership.

The celebration featured Filipino songs and dances and showcased the talent of the Filipino community in NSW.

New South Wales hosts the largest concentration of Filipinos in Australia at over 152,000. - END