All about the Filipino Fiesta in Sydney

The event is usually held towards the end of each year. According to its founder and President Manny Castillo, Fiesta Kultura is “a fund raiser for the disabled athletes representing the Philippines who participated in the Pacific School Games which was held in Sydney.” It was established in 1988.

Sometime last year, I was “offered” an entrance ticket by a member of the organizing committee. If I remember correctly, the cost of the ticket was $20. I thought it was being given to me because of my being a member of media. I was wrong. He was actually selling me the ticket. I politely declined; I did not buy the ticket and did not bother to attend the fiesta. I gave him the excuse that I had other commitments on that particular day. Some people have the nerve to sell tickets to media, and even expect that they would get free publicity for the event.

I have not been attending any such Fiesta for the past several years because I know what to expect — you simply walk around aimlessly, get tired in the process and compelled to buy food which is mostly BBQ. The first and only one I have attended was at Eastern Creek Raceway but that was more than 10 years ago and the entrance fee was only $5.00.

For those wanting to sell food or anything, they have to pay a stall fee of $600 plus a bond of $200 or a total of $800. According to Teresa Chan of Magnolia Restaurant in Doonside, she paid $1,200 for the 2 stalls that she occupied. That was on top of the $400 bond deposit. Asked if the bond was returned to her, she was told that it was held for next year’s fiesta.

I believe they are registered as a non-profit organisation. For the year ended 30 June 2008, they published a Total Income of $198,385.00 which was derived mostly from door and raffle ticket sales. Other sources were from stall fees, advertisements, sports and miscellaneous. Some of the large items reported in their Statement of Income & Expenses were Cleaning Service, Equipment Rental, Food and Drinks, Printing and Reproduction, Service and Security, Sound, Lights and Stage, and Venue.
Total Expenses reported was $219,851.30, making them incur a Loss of $21,466.30.

From 1989 to 2008, (for a period of 19 years), the Philippine Australian Sports & Culture, Inc. has donated a total of $119,919.45 to various charitable organisations and institutions. They have listed the following as recipients of cash donations: Pagkain Foundation, Hospicio de San Jose, Technological University of the Philippines, Luntiang Foundation, House of Angels, Westmead Children’s Hospital, Caritas Australia, Ginintuang Tagumpay Foundation of the Philippines, Philippine National School for the Deaf and Blind, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Manila Boys Town, Philippine National Red Cross, Winaca Foundation, and Dr. Teofilo Sison Memorial Hospital. The amount of cash given to each recipient was not specified. There were other names listed but the nature of the donation was not indicated. – ? DMC