As of press time, Ms. Tess Lopez categorically stated that managers of the Filipino Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC) have not yet paid the $300,000 they borrowed from her some months ago. It was only because of the intercession of Fr. Renato Paras that she loaned the money to MPC. Promised settlement date was 28 September 2008. Fr. Paras could not be contacted for comment.
She said she had been trying to contact Luz Tiqui and Gerald Oblea but neither of the two has returned her call. She also wanted to ask for a copy of the remittance receipt as proof that interest payment has been deposited to her account. She has likewise been unsuccessful in establishing contact with Fr. Paras. The Assistant Parish Priest of St. Aidan’s Church said that Fr. Paras was attending a retreat.
Meanwhile, MPC is selling tickets for “Kapamilya sa Australia 2008,” scheduled on 29 November 2008 at Blacktown Olympic Park. The show will feature popular Filipino actors John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. This is the second time that MPC distributed leaflets promising the personal appearance of these two actors. The first time was in 2007 but neither Bea Alonzo nor John Lloyd Cruz arrived. They were replaced by Iya Villania and another actor. We can only hope that Bea and John will show up this time.
Tickets at the gate will cost $20 per person. For MPC to be able to raise $300,000 to pay Tess Lopez, they will need an audience of at least 15,000 Filipinos. There are about 20,000 Filipinos in the City of Blacktown.
Major sponsors are ABS-CBN for the participation of the 2 actors; Philippine Airlines, presumably for the return airfare of Ms. Alonzo and Mr. Cruz; Blacktown City Council for the venue at Blacktown Olympic Park; and Revesby Press for the coloured leaflets being distributed to promote the show. It seems that they have all areas covered so that ticket sales will go exclusively to the coffers of MPC. We can only hope it doesn’t rain because the venue is open air.
It has been reported by reliable sources that the MPC Managers had an emergency meeting on Saturday at the new MPC site in Schofields. No one has revealed the agenda or what was discussed during the meeting. During his birthday celebration held in Schofields, Mr. Ed Yunon reportedly said “MPC did not have a newspaper to publish updates.”
Well, Mr. Yunon, if you are reading this, Philippine Tribune invites you to send us a report. We will publish whatever you send but please limit your report to no more than 500 words or we shall be constrained to exercise our editorial prerogative.
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