It didn’t take a lot of persuasion for Peter and Nita Christian, owners of Corregidor Restaurant to agree to Jaime Pimentel’s suggestion of having a Press Room inside the entertainment centre. Pimentel is the founder of Filipino Sydney Press Club, an organisation of Filipino journalists, writers and publishers throughout New South Wales.
The Press Room will be open to the general public on the condition that none of the reading materials available inside can be loaned out.
Initially, the Press Room will have the following fixtures: three rectangular folding tables; eight chairs; one black Dell computer with two small speakers; one Canon printer; one sofa; one small whiteboard; one 34cm colour TV; and one CD player. Pimentel expects additional fixtures as contributions from members start pouring in.
Copies of current and past issues of Philippine Tribune, Bayanihan News, Philippine Community Herald and Filipina Australian Magazine will be available for reading inside the Press Room.
According to Pimentel, he is now accepting book donations to start a small Filipiniana Library which will be housed in one section of the Press Room. First donor is retired Philippine Air Force Fighter Pilot Tony Dedal who wrote “Wings Over the Philippines.” The book was launched last year at the Philippine Consulate General’s Office in Sydney.
Mr. Pimentel said that the room will be available by the middle of February with simple ecumenical blessings to be conducted by a Filipino priest.