by Benjie de Ubago
Being the eternal idealist that I am, I thought it would be fun to go around and collect wishes for the community. Perhaps the expressed wishes below may act as our compass in 2008.
Wish we may, wish we might have these wishes we wish for this New Year’s Night! Here’s what they had to say:
For the next year and the years ahead, I wish that more and more Filipinos in Australia would become decision-makers, managers, persons of influence, pioneers, innovators, entrepreneurs, lobbyists, politicians, prominent academicians and professionals, administrators and business owners.
Ma. Theresa Lazaro
Philippine Consul General, Sydney
(For the unabridged version of the Consul General’s New Year’s Wishes for the community, check www.filipin-oz.com)
I wish that every Filipino would explore and experience the beauty of every corner of the Philippines, so that they may stand proudly of their own and then act as our very own tourism ambassadors.
Consuelo G. Jones
Philippine Tourism Attache
I wish that community leaders lead with principles and not with personalities. We should all work together for the betterment of the community. Let us do away with “crab mentality”. Instead “we should lift others as we climb”.
Malyn Andres-Chun
President-FILCCA
Wishing the community a safe and happy New Year filled with good fortune and fun times. Let go of the imperfect past. Let us move on with the wisdom and experience we have gained.
Lolit Farmer
President – Global Filipinos Australia
Peace. Peace of mind. Peace of the spirit. Peace in the family, peace in the community. Peace in this troubled world.
Ding Roces
I wish we could have new talent. Or am I deluding myself? The “Old Guard Clique” has been there for too long, with the corresponding egos, to boot. At the risk of sounding like the proverbial pessimist, “Hope is merely disappointment deferred”
Rey Moncay
My wish is for Filipino community leaders to be achievement focused rather than “position title” oriented. It should be embarrassing for a “President” to leave the position without having achieved a notable contribution to the community.
Imelda Argel
I wish that our Filipino Community would endeavour to be more vigilant in what the Philippine Government and the Opposition are doing in 2008 and be pro active in our views. Let us make it known to them that we want and deserve a “Better Philippines.”
Manny Diel
Still a wish for all Filipino Groups wherever they are – Unity and Peace. Unless we are united, Filipinos can never be a forceful voice in the Australian community.
Jun Relunia
New leadership and I wish for more involvement and a greater sense of ownership from the younger generation.
Eleazar Arranz
How I wish that there would be only one united “Filipino-Australian” Community and that we start calling ourselves Filipinos. And that one’s hunger for recognition is set aside when doing community work. SA ISIP, SA SALITA AT SA GAWA!
Cesar Bartolome
Let’s have more fun, sense of humour, more goals/results oriented with more creative and productive activities. May there be a fruitful sharing of talents and resources.
Sennie Masian
That our entire community will be actively involved in World Youth Day 2008 by providing support to the pilgrims under the Home Stay Program as well as becoming a WYD08 volunteer.
Ronaldo Villaver
Cohesiveness and unity. Mabawasan sana ang pa-istaran.
Ding Altamarino
May we support each other through thick and thin. With globalization and new technologies, may we continue to reach out and make the “bayanihan spirit” a global brand for Filipinos worldwide.
Rey Manoto
Looking forward to more challenges in 2008 and to the so-called leaders, come down from their illusory pedestals.
Rod Dingle
I wish for unity and cohesiveness.
Max Lopez
And as for me, I wish the community confidence and respect – two words that’ll surely go a long way towards community harmony!
But more importantly, may we have the courage, determination and persistence to make all these wishes come true. As Yoda said in Star Wars….. ”Try, you mustn’t; do, you must!