by Manny Roux
The Philippine Float rolled down the streets of Sydney for the annual 2008 Sydney Street Parade. Highly visible were the four peasant-clad mascots, weighing roughly ten kilos each. With aluminum strands riveted together to hold its gangly frame, they were made to stand upright and towered above ten feet tall above the crowds. The mascots’ eyes were transfixed and emotionless. All had black skirts, but the men’s moustaches and the ladies’ eyelids gave away their genders.
Underneath these giant papier mâché masked characters were eight volunteers from FAME (Filipino Australian Movement for Empowerment, Inc.) with fashioned harnesses enabling them to carry these “Higantes” (giants) as they were fondly called, in a backpacking style along the main thoroughfare of Sydney’s CBD for the annual season’s parade.
It was a back-breaking task in response to Ms. Consuelo Jones, Philippine Tourism Attaché’s invitation for FAME’s participation and assistance. Faceless and with a heavy load on their shoulders, the FAME volunteers walked side-by-side with a guide and complimenting the colourful contingent of Bayanihan and Karansa Dancers who came from the Philippines to perform at this spectacular event.
Mr. Bobby Lastica, Secretariat Administrator and Mr. Cesar Bartolome, Executive Director, saw the wisdom of participating in this activity and stepped up to the task of helping promote the Philippines.
The two kilometers walk from Hunter Street, slowly snaking down George Street in an uneven pace was a struggle.But with each step was a sigh of triumph for FAME as they won the hearts of everyone who watched the parade unfold.
FAME’s participants for the Higante parade included: Dominic Baylon, Manny Roux, Bobby Lastica, and Dennis Laxamana as the Giants who were ably guided by Ricardo Tordilla, Gerry Babilonia, Cesar Bartolome, and Philip Lastica.
These mascots were a blessing for FAME! It was a voluntary gesture aimed at promoting our beloved motherland but simultaneously, the group got free publicity beyond what they had imagined. The massive interest from the media on the organization augurs well for the future.
But perhaps the greatest reward from this exercise was the one unseen. It demonstrated the benefit of working together as a team and the importance of keeping in step with each other. To carry a ten kilo load on one’s shoulders for a distance of two kilometers akin to being blindfolded and trusting only a guide by one’s side was no mean feat.
Still in its infancy, FAME indeed has a long way to go. Already, the team has started planning activities that would get the Filipino on the road to empowerment. There will be trials and challenges along the way, but the journey will be worth it.