A little bird told me that some people within the Philippine Community Council of NSW (PCC-NSW) board want this organisation to take over management of the Philippine Australian Cultural Foundation (PACF) and its centre at Schofields.
Whaaaaat!?
Well, you know: ”More than 25 years in existence.”
With apologies to PCC-NSW president Arturo ‘Atoy’ Sayas, vice president Emma de Vera, and press relations officer Miko Selorio, whom I acknowledge are putting a breath of fresh air to this umbrella organisation, I think the idea is almost laughable.
Compare the two: the PCC-NSW and the PACF, both of whom have been around for almost the same number of years.
Take experience: The PCC-NSW has never purchased a site. It has never built a structure for accommodation. It has never leased a room for a secretariat of its own. How about a corner of a rented room to keep files? No. A telephone line? No.
The PACF has purchased a million-dollar site with a three-room dwelling.
On management: At one instance, the PCC-NSW had to beg the then Filipino Multipurpose Centre (now the PACF) to rescue it from litigation and embarrassment. It happened when incumbent Philippine President Fidel Ramos visited Sydney. The PCC-NSW, suggesting that the Centre would be an embarrassment for the president to visit, hired the expensive Sydney Harbour Convention Centre and adjacent Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour for the occasion. It turned out to be an extravagant show of grandeur the PCC-NSW could ill afford to pay in full. And who did the PCC-NSW run to just days before court action would be taken against it? The PACF, earlier referred to as ”an embarrassment”.
When Mr Ramos returned to visit Sydney again as the former president, he sought out PACF chairman Manny Villon and personally thanked him for providing the money to help cover the costs of his reception at Darling Harbour. Although there was never a news report about the near-embarrassment, Mr Ramos had found the true story.
On trust: When Philippine Consul-General Collinson joined with the PCC-NSW to organise a fund-raising concert during her term, it raised about $30,000. And when the time arrived for the Consul General to decide to which organisation the funds would go ~ to the PCC-NSW or to the and much-maligned MPC ~ she chose the latter, the MPC. Why she believed the money would better put to use by the MPC, no one would really say.
Mr Sayas informed me shortly after his election as PCC-NSW president that he would mark his term in office with an open and conciliator approach to whole of the Filipino community in NSW. He appeared to be turning a new leaf to the organisation’s dealings with affiliates and the rest of the Filipino community.
It might be a good time for the PCC-NSW to examine its own affairs and its purpose. Mr Sayas, Mrs de Vera and Miko Selorio can make a great difference in the new board. They could call on it to use the next Ugnayan to see if the PCC-NSW has the courage to accept its limitations and to strengthen ties between affiliates before moving out of its sphere of influence. (end)
We know that Mr Pimentel has already walk the walk. He’s nearing the end of his mile and yet it seems the MPC issue is still ongoing and probably will outlast him. I do not know Mr Sayas and Mr Selorio personally. But Mr Pimentel seems to speak highly of Mrs de Vera. It is obvious that Mr Pimentel, as a journalist, has given high commendation to Mrs de Vera. I can only think that he is personally known to Mrs de Vera and endorses her as a reputable, highly respected, well liked, and a no-nonsense member of the community, just like HIMSELF. It’s good to see people alike being transparent and endorsing one another.
This article of Mr Jimmy Pimentel was drawn to my attention and I am constrained to reply so the public will know the Truth.
I was the president of PCC-NSW during the 2005 State Visit of Pres Fidel Ramos to Australia. A Steering Committee was established, composed of presidents/heads of community associations (PCC non-afiliates icnluded) to organise the community meeting with Pres Ramos on 19 August 1995. Jess Diaz (then FILCCA President) and myself as incumbent president of PCC-NSW co-chaired the Steering Committee. Also, I was the incumbent president of PCC-NSW in 2003-04 when the fund-raising events for PACF (or MPC) were organised by PCC-NSW with the Philippine Consulate. As head of PCC-NSW during these periods, I was directly and actively involved in these activities and projects.
– Mr Pimentel’s statement that the PCC-NSW had to beg the Filipino Multipurpose Centre to rescue it from litigation and embarassment is a BIG Lie. I would ask Mr Pimentel to advise the basis of his statement. I thought journalists are supposed to write fair and true reports or write articles based on facts and ensure these are correct before they go on print. The PCC-NSW never asked the Filipino Multipurpose Centre or any of the PACF Trustees or its Chairman or CEO for any form of help or assistance relating to the 2005 Darling Harbour Convention Centre Meeting with Pres Ramos event or rescue it from that alleged litigation and embarrassment. There was no litigation case. The funds were short by $4,778.00 to foot the total bill of $14,586.50 for the event venue but PCC-NSW, (which unfortunately had the bear the costs for the Steering Committee) arranged with the Darling Harbour Authority for extension of time to pay the balance. PCC-NSW paid the balance through fund-raising events and voluntary contributions. PCC-NSW raised over $3,000. Then Consul General Abadila donated $200.00, I shelled out $200.00. Manny Villon, who called me to inquire about the shortfall, offered to donate $800. I thanked him for his donation but he asked me to keep it in private. So PCC-NSW settled in full the bill of Darling Harbour Authority. My reply point by point to Mr Pimentel’s statements:-
– The venue for the event was decided by the Steering Committee. The item was tabled in a meeting and the members (presidents or representatives of over 30 community associations) voted to hold the event at Darling Harbour Convention Centre on 19 August 1995 with over 3,000 people in attendance including Australiand & Philippine government officials and press people. It wsa not a ddecision made by FILCCA or PCC-NSW but but a Sterrign Committe thatw as tasked to organise this event with Pres Ramos.
– PCC-NSW did not in any way make a statement that the MPC would be an embarrassment for Pres Ramos to visit. I, as president of PCC-NSW or in my personal capacity, never made such or similar statement.
– On the recipient of the over $30,000 raised at the 2003 Philippine National Ball at Westin Hotel Grand Ballroom, which was jointly organsied by PCC-NSW and Philippine COnsulate General, this was decided by the community leaders present in the community meeting convened by then Consul Genral Zeneida Collinson. Obviosuly, Mr Pimentel was absent in that 2003 Ball as I mentioned in my Welcome Speech that the funds raised from that Ball will be used to construct a community centre. Also, it was PCC-NSWwhich strongly endorsed for the funds to go to MPC. In the discussions prior to the vote, the majority suggested the purchase of a piece of land and start a new centre project. I stood for MPC and declared the Centre must stand so the funds should go to MPC. So contrary to Mr Pimentel’s statement, it was PCC-NSW that stood firm and supported MPC whilst the rest lost faith in MPC. This is evident in the further funds donated by PCC-NSW to MPC in 2004 amounting to over $7,000.00 through the holding of Philippine National Ball and the Hotdog Concert.
I have records in my possesion to show facts and figures (in invoices, letters, statements and other documents). Should any one be interested to know more information about these matters written by Mr Pimentel then please feel free to contact me (Mob 0434 544434).
I trust the above will set the record straight.
Kate Andres
Ms Kate Andres’ account and setting the record straight is one that comes from somebody with a first hand information or a “personal knowledge” of the events that transpired during those times. Definitely not a hearsay. I was part of Ms Kate Andres’ PCC-NSW Board in 2004. Let the truth set us free.