More shocking news about MPC

by Benjie de Ubago

I was recently informed by a reliable source that the Multi-Purpose Centre was allegedly selling shares. The news sent shock waves to the system.

Let’s summarize. In 2004, they called for a press conference at Parramatta Town Hall, informing us that they were planning to sell the Rooty Hill site. They provided four options but no decision as to which direction was to be taken. At this meeting, the group was also insistent that the MPC was started in 1991 to which I kept insisting that it must have been earlier than that as I had already . . .

included it in the 1989 edition of Filipin-Oz. After checking the names register, it would appear that it was first registered on 20 March 1989 and then another registration appeared on 3 July 1990. So I was correct!

Then, FOR SALE signs appeared on the Rooty Hill site last year and after, mind you, after, the sale of the property, they advised they were moving to Schofields. “Bigger and better for the community” – which makes us wonder why they never thought of it in the first place.

Then they called for another press conference at the new Schofields site in November 2007. But weeks or only a month after, it became known that the sale of the Rooty Hill site had not gone through. Another discovery was that the Schofields area was also prone to flooding and it was unlikely that the Council would grant a building permit.

And now, we are advised that the MPC is selling shares. They have also changed their name from Multi-Purpose Centre to the Philippine Australian Cultural Centre. However, none of these names mentioned, unless it is some other variation, are registered with the Office of Fair Trading.

I immediately phoned Mr. Villon to confirm the news or rumor whichever the case may be. Unless another person sounded like him, the man who answered the phone surely had a voice identical to Manny Villon but he said that Mr. Villon was not home.

I also phoned Luz Tiqui but she also was unavailable. Despite continuous attempts, and after leaving messages, no one – neither Mr. Villon nor Ms. Tiqui bothered to return my call. It was obvious that I was being given the run-around.

After one more try, I managed to catch Mr. Villon and before he could even try to deny his identity, I jumped in “with Mang Manny.” Trapped, he mumbled that as agreed upon by the Board, “Only Mr. Yunon is authorized to answer questions,” said Villon. He said that even before I could ask or say anything.

Such a reply, only confirms my suspicion of evasion. Now, if they have nothing to hide, what’s so scary about answering questions? What is the problem with being courteous and returning a phone call.

Mr. Ric de Vera (a board member) denies that there are any shares being sold but confirms that the MPC is now open for membership. After all, “it does say shares are at $2.00 but the membership is set for $10.00.” Furthermore, Mr. de Vera said, “it is more like a monthly pledge.” “They can give more if they want but the minimum is $10.00,” he added. He also said that he was no longer as involved as it was “magulo”. “Delicadong masabit,” Mr. de Vera added. He also claimed that his name had been added without his prior consent. “We are talking about two entities,” said Mr. de Vera. One is the Philippine Australian Community Foundation whose members are the trustees and whose term of office is permanent. The other, is the Multi-Purpose Centre which has now been presumably converted to accommodate membership and a whole new set of officers.

I did phone Mr. Yunon, who also confirms that no shares are being sold but yes, the name has been changed. “We intend to have other things there, so the name was no longer applicable,” said Mr. Yunon. “We’ll have a basketball covered court,” he added.

Another loyalist confirmed that the name had been changed but the individual has also since distanced himself from the group. “Isa lang ako, eleven sila. Kahit anong sabihin ko, hindi naman nila papakingan,” said the source. However, the individual was not aware of any shares being sold.

So at this point, it is still unsure whether they mean shares or membership. Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC) does stipulate companies share holdings at a minimum of $2.00 per share so for Mr. de Vera to even mention it, means that something is brewing. There must be some sort of a company registered. Now, if it’s just an organization incorporated, then there would be no mention of shares and the organization can charge membership subject to what is stated in their constitution. So are they a club/organization, a company, or a trust – who knows?

Other information received includes the alleged proposed sale of a piece of the Schofields land to meet the maintenance costs. Apparently, the place had also been recently vandalized and it would allegedly cost $10,000 to fix.

What’s in a name? Big! A rose would still smell as sweet as a rose regardless of what you call it. Likewise, rubbish will always smell trash even if you paint it pink. So the MPC – call it by any other name – it’s the same people running it – it’s the same old MPC! If Mr. Villon or Ms. Tiqui cannot even respond to simple questions, why then should we respond to their call for cooperation, let alone help? Surely, the community deserves nothing less than the truth. Oh, and please don’t give us that emotional patriotism crap! Their antics are really wearing thin! We can only hope that no one has fallen prey.

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