QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES, June 19, 2020 – In a rare opportunity, select Filipinos based in Sydney and Singapore celebrated the Philippine Independence together as they went live on TFC presents Sama Saya Kapamilya on NewsColored.
The month-long celebration featuring Filipino organizations across the Asia Pacific goes by the hashtag: #PPE (Pinoy Pride Extravaganza). On its first episode last June 14, host KaladKaren was joined by the Philippine Community Council of New South Wales (PCC-NSW) and the Filipino community in Singapore with Rated J.
While special guests include iWant Original ‘Malaya’ stars Zanjoe Marudo and Lovi Poe, plus the Kapamilya discoveries ‘iDolls’ Matty, Enzo, and Lucas.
PCC-NSW, the umbrella body of the Filipino organizations in the Australian State, was represented by Alric Bulseco, Espie Pogson, and Serna Ladia. Bulseco shared that their community holds grand celebrations twice a year – the Christmas festival towards the end of the year and the Philippine Independence every June.
“As a matter of fact, back in 2013 our guest speaker was actually the Prime Minister of Australia,” he said, emphasizing the magnitude of these festivities.
This year, amidst the restrictions, PCC-NSW together with the Philippine Consul General Ezzedin H. Tago and other community leaders held a Flag-raising Ceremony at the Rizal Park, Rooty Hill, New South Wales.
Online talk show Rated J founder Jun Rigonan and co-hosts Cristy Vicentina, Dazzelyn Zapata and Consul Gonar Musor are prominent figures in the Singapore Filipino community.
They enjoined the Philippine Embassy in Singapore for their Flag-raising Ceremony, as well as their virtual concert featuring cultural performers and singers including the San Pedro Calungsod Choir, Marky Canios, and PsalmiDeo Chorale. Musor underscored the significance of patriotism in the upkeeping Philippine culture to overseas Filipinos.
The PCC-NSW representatives and Rated J hosts were able to greet each other “Happy Independence Day” as they wave the Philippine flag and expressing unity thru the continents. Being true to Filipino’s fun-loving spirit, they gamely contended in KaladKaren’s Kapamilya Go 60 challenge with the Australia contingent winning to the cheers of our Pinoys in Singapore.
The digital fiesta continues this Sunday, June 21st, with Pinoy Thaiyo of Thailand and the United Filipino Organization of Saipan. Catch them live on TFC Asia, TFC Australia, and TFC New Zealand every 3 P.M. (Manila time).
