A COLOURFUL crowd gathered in Bathurst recently to celebrate one of the most significant dates in the Philippines' history, the declaration of Philippine independence from Spanish rule on June 12, 1898.
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On a glorious sunny winter's day, the crowd watched as the largest Philippines flag in the southern hemisphere was raised.
Filipinos in Australia celebrate for the whole month of June as a mark of their freedom.
Visitors, their friends and family came from Lightning Ridge, Nelson Bay, Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Dubbo, Lithgow, Portland and Orange with their friends and families to witness and celebrate the 121st anniversary of the declaration.
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The flag-raising by the Bathurst Lions Club at Evans Bridge, Kelso was followed by the singing of both national anthems and speeches, a salu salu (or feast) with a lechon (or spit-roasted pig), music, a fashion parade of traditional Filipino attire and dancing.
Special guests included the new Philippine Consul General Maria Teresa Taguiang, federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee, state Member for Bathurst Paul Toole, who enthusiastically joined in the feasting and dancing, and mayor Graeme Hanger, all of whom voiced their appreciation of the Filipino contribution to the multicultural society in Bathurst.
The event was held in co-operation with the Philippine Consulate Sydney, Bathurst Regional Council and Bathurst Lions Club and organised by the Filipiniana Friends Group of Bathurst and the Central West and supported by generous sponsors and performers.
"Everyone had a great time and showed our national spirit is alive and well," a spokesperson said.
