A N N O U N C E M E N T

 2012 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. The awards are conferred on overseas Filipinos and organizations for their outstanding contributions to Philippine progress and development.

The Primer containing the rules and guidelines for the Presidential Awards, with the nomination and endorsement forms, are available at the 2012 Presidential Awards website, http://2012presidentialawards.cfo.gov.ph/.

The deadline for submission of nominations, with complete documentation, is on 15 June 2012 through mail or online.

For further information, the Presidential Awards Secretariat may be contacted through the following:

2012 Presidential Awards Secretariat
Tel Nos.: (632) 561-8291, (632) 552-4700, locals 761 to 767
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Philippine Consulate General, Sydney
27 January 2012 

As of 5 January 2012, operations in the affected areas of Typhoon Sendong are in the early recovery stage. The following are identified as priority needs:

As of 23 December 2011, the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reports that Tropical Storm Sendong (international code name Washi) left 1,080 dead and 1,079 missing. 422 were rescued. A total of 348,749 persons or 65,067 families from 319 barangays were affected by the storm.

As of 21 December 2011, the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reports that Tropical Storm Sendong (international code name Washi) left 976 dead and 46 missing. 432 were rescued. A total of 348,749 persons or 65,067 families from 319 barangays were affected by the storm.

A Holy Mass for the victims of the recent floods and landslides in the Philippines will be held at the Bulwagang Rizal of the Philippine Consulate General, Level 1, Philippine Centre, 27-33 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney, on Wednesday, 28 December 2011, at 5:30pm.  The Mass will be officiated by Fr. Manuel Santiago.

Christmas is a time to pause, reflect, and refocus on the true essentials of life.  It is a place we all seek to go back to and recapture childhood's magic and the bounty of everyday miracles.