04 January 2012- The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that it organized a holy mass at the Consulate for the intention of the victims of tropical storm Sendong last December 28.

The main celebrant was Father Manuel Santiago. Father Renato Paras also attended as a co-celebrant.

Representatives from the Philippine Community Council (PCC) of New South Wales, the Iliganon Lanaonon Association (ILISA), the Banag-Banag Bisaya Speaking Association Inc., the Australia-Philippines Business Council (APBC), the Order of the Knights of Rizal, and the choir of the Filipino Chaplaincy as well as several parishioners of the Our Lady of Dolores, Chatswood, Sydney, led by Mr. and Mrs. Dom and Marte Tagle, attended the mass.

In his homily, Father Santiago appealed for assistance on behalf of those affected by Typhoon Sendong and cited the circumstances of the Lord's birth as similar to that of families who are now staying at the evacuation centers, relying on the kindness of others for shelter and for their other basic needs.

After the mass, ILISA President Gina Mae Aldea and the Association's founding member, Anne Paras, echoed this appeal and expressed their gratitude to those who have contributed and supported the donation drive for their hometown.

PCC President Marivic Manalo also spoke on the Council's Philippine Australia Disaster Emergency Response (PADER) program, under which the amount of A$7,155 (approximately US$7,322 or P330,923) was handed over by the PCC to the Rotary Club in Cagayan for drinking water, food, medicine and other needs of the flood victims.

Ms. Manalo also announced that the PCC is organizing a concert to be held on February 5 at the Bowman Hall in Blacktown, Sydney to raise funds for the benefit of the flood victims.

The Consulate also made a presentation on the ongoing efforts of Philippine government agencies to assist the flood victims.