National Day Reception attended by the Consular Corps, Australian Government Officials, business groups, members of media and the academe and members of the Filipino Community of New South Wales.

(Left photo) Minister for Multiculturalism Hon. Anthony John Sidoti, representing NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian; (Right photo) Consul General Maria Teresa L. Taguiang

(Photos L-R) Malaysia Consul Mutia Azura Binti Mohamed, Deputy Consul General of Switzerland Didier Boschung, Japan Consul General Keizo Takewaka, Colombia Consul General Nancy Benitez Paez, Malaysia Consul Mohd Khalil Zaiyany, DFAT Director Trudy Witbreuk, Consul General Maria Teresa Taguiang, Turkey Consul General Melih Karalar, Malaysia Consul Fatmah Binti Ahmad, Thailand Consul General Chakkrid Krachaiwong

(Photos L-R) Hornsby Deputy Mayor Vince Del Gallego, Campelltown Councillor Rey Manoto, Minister for Multiculturalism, Sport, Seniors and Veterans Anthony John Sidoti, Consul General Maria Teresa L. Taguiang, Member of Parliament for Riverstone Kevin Connoly, Blacktown Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale, Blacktown Councillors Jess Diaz and Linda Santos

Consul General Maria Teresa L. Taguiang and the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney during the National Day Celebration held at the Mosman Art Gallery in Sydney, Australia on 12 June 2019.

(Left photo) Cultural Dance performance by the Bereber Dance Theatre choreographed by Novy Bereber and songs by Miguel Castro, (Right photo) Artwork exhibit of Melissa Yeung Yap at the Mosman Art Gallery during the Reception

SYDNEY – The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney hosted a national day reception in commemoration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney, Australia on 12 June 2019.

Consul General Maria Teresa Taguiang welcomed around two hundred guests to the occasion, which included Australian government officials, members of the consular corps, business community, members of the academe and media, and leaders of the Filipino community in New South Wales.

In her remarks, Consul General Taguiang said, “On this occasion, we honour and appreciate not just Philippine freedom, but also the country’s standing among sovereign nations. We likewise recognize the role of the Global Filipino, the wonderful Filipino community in Australia,and the great Philippine-Australian friendship.”

Consul General Taguiang cited the strong bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Australia in economic, security and people-to-people linkages.

Minister Anthony John Sidoti representing Premier Gladys Berejiklian, expressed appreciation for the flourishing Filipino community in New South Wales. He said that the Filipino-Australians have done a lot to contribute to multicultural NSW by sharing their rich culture, heritage and tradition with the wider community through celebrations such as Pasko and Fiesta Kultura.

Among those who attended were the Consuls General from Japan, Switzerland Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Colombia and the Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ms. Trudy Witbreuk, DTI Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba, Mr. Ignatius Jones, Creative Director of Vivid Sydney, Cultural Center of the Philippines Chairperson Margarita Moran Floirendo and officers of CCP.

A cultural contemporary dance was performed by the Bereber Dance Theatre choreographed by Mr. Novy Bereber with song and dance renditions of Magkaugnay, Pangalay and Ili Ili Tulog Anay Miguel Castro sang a song from the Sydney musical Noli Me Tangere entitled Sweet Sweet Land as well as a rendition of a Filipino song- Noong Unang Panahon. While, Philippine-based artist Ms. Melissa Yeung Yap exhibited her artworks at the Gallery during the Reception. The exhibit consists of two collections: seventeen painted binakul fabrics from northern Luzon and five painted Tingkep baskets from the Pala’wan tribe.

Filipino Liqueurs, Manille de Calamansi and Mango Rum from Destileria Limtuaco were served to the guests and Malagos chocolates were distributed after the event. The celebration was held in cooperation with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center Sydney lead by Trade Attache Alma Argayoso and the Department of Tourism Sydney headed by Toursim Attache Norjamin Delos Reyes. END