On 12 June 2012, the personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney led by Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis gathered at the official residence for a solemn flag-raising ceremony followed by the reading of the Independence Day messages of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and President Benigno S. Aquino III. Also present at the event was Trade Representative Emmanuel Ang.

The following day, 13 June 2012, more than 200 guests comprising New South Wales (NSW) officials, Members of Parliament, members of the Consular Corps in Sydney, representatives from the private sector, and Filipino community leaders attended the National Day Reception hosted by Consul General Louis at the Grace Hotel in Sydney.

Hon. Bryan Doyle, Member of Parliament for Campbelltown represented Premier Barry O'Farrell at the Reception. Also present were Hon. Michelle Rowland, Federal Member of Parliament for Greenway, Hon. Victor Dominello, NSW Minister for Citizenship and Communities, Hon. George Thomas, Deputy Speaker of the NSW Parliament, Hon. Robert Furolo, Member of Parliament for Lakemba, and Hon. Kevin Conolly, Member of Parliament for Riverstone.

In his speech on behalf of Premier O'Farrell, Hon. Doyle lauded the Filipino community in New South Wales and recognized their contributions, including the inculcation of values, a strong sense of family and a love for freedom, which have further enriched the multicultural fabric of NSW society.

In response, Consul General Louis noted the warm and long-standing relations between the Philippines and Australia which have been strengthened by decades of people-to-people contact. She looked forward to increased dynamism in both countries' relations on the economic front, especially growth in trade, investments and tourism. She encouraged the guests to look at the Philippines as a destination of choice, not only for holidays, but also for doing business.


The guests were greeted upon their arrival with a video presentation on the new tourism campaign, "It's more fun in the Philippines!"

Filipino talent, skills and craftsmanship, as well as food, were featured at the reception. The Philippine and Australian national anthems were led by Mr. Jerson Trinidad, a Filipino-Australian who recently competed in a popular singing competition on local television.

Several pieces by renowned Filipino designer Kenneth Cobonpue, distributed in Sydney by Ke-Zu Pty. Ltd., were displayed at the reception. Another attraction was the display of hand-woven scarves and shawls made of beautiful Tepiña fabric courtesy of Pinyacraft's Beatrice Gomez and Miguel Ortigas.


Guests were also treated to wine from the Gooree Park vineyards, a Filipino-Australian-owned winery, and San Miguel Beer, which is now available again in Sydney through Liquid Logic, its Australian distributor.

The guests were impressed by the quality of the Gooree Park wines and San Miguel Beer. They also marveled at the world-class artistry and excellent craftmanship of Kenneth Cobonpue's designs and the Tepiña products.

The venue of the reception was made more festive in true Filipino tradition through decorations made of sinamay. END