Cyrus Villanueva, X-Factor Australia winner (rightmost) headlined the 121st Philippine Independence Day Ball on 08 June 2019 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. He is joined by H.E. Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Philippine Ambassador to Australia (middle) and Philippine Honorary Consul Michael Gillis.
PERTH, Australia – Filipino talent was center stage during the 121st Philippine Independence Day Ball on 8 June 2019 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in Western Australia, organized by the Philippine Consulate in Perth and Filipino community organizations, where around 600 people were in attendance.
From song, dance, fashion and food, the Independence Day Ball showcased the range of Filipino talent and ingenuity. Mandurah Oz.Fil Cultural Dance Group performed the traditional Filipino dance singkil to open the event. Candice Adea, the first Filipino soloist of the West Australia Ballet, performed an excerpt from The Nutcracker. Filipino designer Femia Buendia’s fashion creations were modelled a diverse group of young people from Models and Pageant (MAP).
Headlining the event was Filipino-Australia Cyrus Villanueva, who gained popularity in Australia’s pop culture as the winner of X-Factor Australia.
To complete the experience, Filipino-Australian chef Oliver Buenviaje delivered a three-course degustation highlighting the best of Filipino cuisine.
H.E. Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Philippine Ambassador to Australia, attended as the guest of honor. This was her first Philippine Independence Day event with the Filipino community in Australia since she assumed her role as Ambassador in November 2018.
Mr. Kevin Puertollano, descendant of one of the first Filipinos in Australia, delivered a heart-warming acknowledgement of country bringing awareness to the stories of indigenous Australians of Filipino descent.
The Western Australia State Government and Federal Government were well represented with the presence of Mr. Chris Tallentire MLA, representative of Premier Mark McGowan, Dr. Mike Nahan MLA, Leader of the Opposition, and Mr. Tony Krsticevic MLA, who all showed support for the contributions of Filipinos to Australia’s social and economic development. END
Candice Adea, Filipino soloist of the West Australia Ballet, performed an excerpt from The Nutcracker during the 121st Philippine Independence Day Ball on 08 June 2019 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Kevin Puertollano, descendant of Thomas Puertollano who was one of the first Filipinos who arrived in Australia in the 1860s, delivers the acknowledgement of country.
H.E. Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, Philippine Ambassador to Australia, delivers her remarks to a crowd of 600 people during the 121st Philippine Independence Day Ball on 09 June 2019 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on 08 June 2019.
