The popular P-NOY Lounge in Blacktown was the venue for the 5th Annual General Meeting and Elections of the Filipino Australian Movement for Empowerment (FAME). It was held on September 9, 2012.
Rod Dingle was elected Executive Director; Dennis Laxamana, Assistant Executive Director; Mao de Vera, State Secretary; Ferdi Francisco, State Treasurer; Neria Soliman, State PRO; Philip Ranoso, State Auditor; Cesar Bartolome, Max Encomienda, Michael Santos and Emily Rudd, directors. Mr Rey Manoto inducted the new set of officers. He was also the Returning Officer.
Passionate in achieving the goals of FAME, Mr Dingle has already lined up projects and activities for the coming year. He said he wanted to further pursue what the outgoing Executive Director, Ferdi Francisco has started. He added a big thank you to the past Board for a job well done!
FAME is a non-partisan organisation geared towards the political, economic and social empowerment of Filipino Australians to enable them to become active stakeholders in mainstream Australian society. FAME in essence aims to push the Filipino migrants beyond their comfort zones to be the best they can be in their adopted country. FAME hopes to highlight the talent and contributions of Filipino-Australians in shaping Australia’s multicultural landscape.
Is it really FAME to empower Filipinos or to empower themselves. But again, what “empower” are they talking about. If it’s power of the mouth, forget it! Where is the source of FAME’s income? Is it from raffles and tickets? Does this mean the office bearer’s are penniless and only making the organisation as a means to promote themselves since they are in dire need of affection? They must really love hearing the sound of their own voice. If the assumption is wrong, how much then did each office-bearer’s put it in the coffer to use to empower Filipinos? Oh please, do not bashed the Filipino’s pocket, this is been a long time racket of the measly employed Filipino or unemployed, or pensioner, struggling to pay their mortgage. In the Philippines, “businessman” means you own the Office, the Warehouse, you have employees, you have drivers and maids. In Australia, the Filipino businessman is a travel agent, cleaner, beautician, hair stylist, manicurist, carinderia cook. Which is why the Filipino Engineers, IT’s, CPA, CA’s, Doctor’s, and Lawyers steer away from these low-end groups of Filipinos…… regrettably, but that’s reality! These high-end Filipino businessmen and professional do not really want to hurt anyone’s feelings and would donate $1 just to keep them busy and keep them away.