The “Pasko Pinoy Style” is a Christmas celebration in the Filipino tradition, organized by the Australian Filipino Business and Workers Club Inc. (AFBWCI) headed by Ariel Satorre (President) and participated in by various Filipino community groups such as, Mindanao Dance Troupe Australia (Serna Ladia group), Flagcom, Maharlika Riders, Sydney Australian Filipino Seniors Inc., Mapua Alumni Assn. Australia and Agape Inc. The event was coordinated by Raquel Pellero (AFBWCI Sec./Event Coordinator)
Several New South Wales public officials spoke at the event, including Federal MP for Chifley Ed Husic, Federal MP for Werriwa Laurie Ferguson, Senator Cate Faehrmann of the NSW Legislative Council (Upper House), Blacktown City Mayor Alan Pendleton and Bankstown Multicultural Group representative Rebecca Kay.
In their messages, the public officials lauded the significant contributions of the Filipino community to Australian society. Consul Marford Angeles assisted the AFBWCI Directors in awarding certificate[s] of appreciation to outstanding members in recognition of their community service rendered with the club. Blacktown City Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson and PCC President Marivic Manalo also graced the event.
In her message to the Filipino community during the event, Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis informed the audience of the Consulate’s program to conduct more regular mobile consular missions to bring consular services closer to the ground.
She encouraged eligible members of the community to register as Overseas Absentee Voters.
The Consul General also thanked the Filipino community groups for their continued support for the Consulate’s programs and acknowledged their activities held in the spirit of giving and sharing this Christmas season.
The mission in Blacktown marks the start of a series of mobile consular missions to be conducted by the Consulate in various areas of New South Wales from December 2011 and throughout the coming year.