by Benjie de Ubago

I received an invitation via email from the month-old Secretary of the Philippine Community Council (PCC) to the induction ceremony of the newly-elected board. The hand-raising event which could likewise turn out to be hair-raising was to be held on 1 April at the Council Chambers of the Blacktown City Council.

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by Ronnie Dizon

More than 15 years ago, I took my family to this “promised land” to seek better opportunities for my children. The properties we decided to take with us were contained in 4 balikbayan boxes. At the airport, the customs officer dutifully cleared us with a side comment: “They have everything, except the sink.” We did not know what future we would have but relied on a relative’s assurances that surely we would survive and our situation would indeed be better here.

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