Philippine Ambassador to Australia delivering her remarks during the Philippine Heritage Day program organized by the Philippines-Australia Association on 26 May 2019.

CANBERRA, Australia – Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega attended the Philippine Heritage Day program organized by the Philippines-Australia Association (PAA) on 26 May 2019 at the Griffith Neighbourhood Center in Canberra.

In her remarks, the Ambassador said that May is the National Heritage Month in the Philippines and she thanked PAA and the Filipino community for organizing events that help to promote and preserve the rich heritage of the Philippines. PAA chose the theme of kundiman for this year’s Philippine Heritage Day and featured a lecture by Professor Maria Emma Liwag and a kundiman performance by Ms. Alexa Francia.

Professor Liwag, from the Australian National University, discussed the history and beauty of kundiman and how this Filipino musical genre evolved over the years. She recalled how the traditional Filipino love songs also became a form of political expression during the Philippine revolution against Spain. Ms. Francia, a teacher and performing artist who is currently pursuing further studies in Canberra, gave a poignant rendition of Anak ng Dalita, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako. - END