Messages from Officials

I would like to extend my felicitations to the Philippine Cordillerans (PHILCOR) on its 14th Foundation Day Anniversary and on its Coronation of Miss PHILCOR to be held on 14 July, 2007.

PHILCOR is becoming an impotant organisation in almost all parts of the world because of the richness of the Cordilleran's culture and traditions. It has also manifested itself to be a cohesive group in pursuing endeavours which will benefit both the Philippines and Australia.

It is hoped that the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney and PHILCOR will be partners in the future in pursuing worthy projects that will highlight the Cordillerans' indigenous culture.

Maria Theresa P. Lazaro

Consul General

On this occasion, we celebrate the 14th anniversary of the Philippine Cordillerans NSW as well as the inauguration of Miss Philippine Cordillerans NSW 2007.

I wish to state that it has been both my pleasure and pride to represent PHILCOR as President from 2006 to current. Over the last 14 years, PHILCOR has had many office bearers who have contributed greatly to both the creation of opportunity as well as to the development in strategy in bringing the organisation to the notice of the wider community. It is only through the mutual respect and cooperation of the PHILCOR beacons can we further achieve the promotion of this organisation.

So on behalf of the PHILCOR NSW officers, advisors and members, I encourage each one of us to increase efforts and contributions to not only make the occasion a memorable one but also to ensure that there will be many more occasions to celebrate.

I welcome you all to an enjoyable evening and thank you all for your ongoing support.

Mabuhay tayong lahat! "MAP HOD TAUN NAM-IN".

Evelyn Udan Beed

President, Philippine Cordillerans NSW

Belonging to the indigenous groups of the Cordilleras in the Northern Philippines is something that I am very proud of. Whatever tribes we came from, the Bayanihan and solidarity spirit are very much entrenched in our tribal community life. We are always ready to give a hand to our fellow Cordillerans. The Philippine Cordillerans NSW (PHILCOR) upholds that legacy by providing avenues to every Filipino-Australian Cordilleran who wishes to reconnect to his or her cultural roots.

I express my heartfelt gratitude to all our distinguised guests, donors and supporters for joining us in celebrating our 14th Foundation Day. I thank the Cordilleran community in NSW for supporting and believing in us, the officers, as we lead the organisation to the next level. To all the Miss PHILCOR 2007 cadidates and their parents, I salute you for your unwavering commitment when you answered the call to be the main players of this historical endeavour. Finally, I am inviting every Filipino-Australian Cordilleran youth to share your skills, talents and expertise to make the organisation more responsive to the call for humanitarian services in our local community and beyond.

Addi takko bukudan nan gawis (Let us share our blessings). Matago tago takko am-in! Mabuhay PHILCOR NSW!

Napoleon Jueves Damoho Guines

Vice President and Project Coordinator

I am delighted to send warm greetings to all my dear friends attending the inaugural Coronation Night for Miss PHILCOR. It is an opportunity for us to gather and raise funds for projects that will help those less fortunate in the Cordilleras as well as other projects that can locally promote the spirit of our Australian community.

I hope and pray that everyone who attends this evening will experience a time of refreshment and joy where vision can be clarified, spiritual focus can be regained or strengthened, and relationships that will shape the future can be forged and reinforced. I would like to thank everyone for attending tonight and helping to raise money for these much needed projects.

As written in Acts 35, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive’ ”.

I wish PHILCOR all the success in tonight’s fundraising event.

Warm Wishes

Louise Markus

May I extend my warmest congratulations and esteemed greetings of goodwill to all the officers, advisors, members and participants of the 14th Foundation Day Anniversary celebration of the Philippine Cordillerans Association of New South Wales, Australia on 14 July, 2007.

Diversified as you all are in a foreign land, your exceptional thrust to preserve the cultural uniqueness of our age-old traditions and customs is beyond reproach. Our rich Cordillera culture cannot be preserved by merely housing it in a cultural museum as an artifact or as a relic of the past. Your holding of a Cordillera Grand Canao in your adopted country will not only showcase our dances, songs, rituals, chants and prayers but most importantly will serve as an effective transmitter of the rich cultural heritage of the Philippine Cordilleras. Thus, it stands as a formidable foundation to the emergence of a proud Filipino culture.

Once again, my congratulations to everyone and I wish your heartfelt enjoyment on the occasion. I hope that this painstaking initiative of your organisation will set in motion a spate of more Philippine festivals among our fellow Filipinos abroad.

As we all dare to move forward, may God continue to bless us all with His abundance and peace, and may He keep alive the flame of love that today burns in your hearts for every Cordilleran!

Mabuhay Philippine Cordillerans Association of New South Wales, Australia!

PURIFICATION S. SUANDING – MOLINTAS

Regional Director

It is with great pleasure that I extend my warmest congratulations to the Philippine Cordillerans Association, NSW Australia, Inc. (PHILCOR) on the occasion of its 14th Anniversary.

May I also take this opportunity to commend the officers and members of the association for organising this fund raising activity to help our less fortunate kababayans back home. This is indeed a noble gesture and I commend you for this initiative. Our ambitions must continue to include the aspirations and needs of our kababayans, for their sake and for our own.

I wish to congratulate all the candidates to the Miss PHILCOR Quest. Your participation in this fund-raising effort is greatly appreciated.

On behalf of the Filipino Communities of Australia (FILCCA), I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Mabuhay!

MALYN ANDRES-CHUN

President, FILCCA

To the Officers and Members of the Philippine Cordillerans:

Iyebkas koman iti nabara a kablaaw kadagiti pangulo ken miyembro iti Philippine Cordilleran iti panagtawen daytoy nga gimong.

Kas met la didiay Pilipinas, napagasatan man daytoy numo iti biang a nakipulpulapol kadagiti nagagaget ken napudno nga kakabsat ken gagayyem manipud kadagiti kabanbantayan iti Amianan.

In behalf of all the members of the PCC-NSW Board, it is my great honour to congratulate the leaders and members of this organisation that carries the rich cultural heritage, tradition, bravery and honour of the unconquered people of Northern Philippines.

Personally, I count among my best friends and steadfast allies many Cordillerans whom Ilocanos consider as very close cousins. In fact, before I migrated to Australia, I considered Baguio as the centre of our struggle for human rights and political and social emancipation in the Ilocos!

May you continue to be an outstanding partner of PCC in community development.

Mabuhay ang mga taga-Cordillera, mga magigiting na Filipino sa Australia!

RUBEN AMORES

President, PCC-NSW

Congratulations on the 14th year celebration of the Philippine Cordilleran’s service to the Filipino-Australian community in New South Wales.

We are deeply pleased and honoured to extend our heartfelt appreciation to your association for your admirable effort in promoting the rich cultural heritage of your region to the general Australian populace.

You have been a partner in our annual project, the multi - award winning Grand Philippine Fiesta Kultura Sydney held for the last 19 years. The P.A.S.C. Inc. acknowledges, with gratitude, PHILCOR’S involvement in this annual community project. Your participation lends more colours to the festivities. Every year, the admirable communal effort is rewarded with shared commissions common to all participating organisations to help finance their own club projects.

The involvement of your youth and the presentation of your Miss PHILCOR NSW will add more glamour and enrichment to your existing regional values.

Your pioneering and laudable achievements are greatly appreciated by the Filipino-Australian community. The Board of Management and members of the Philippine - Australian Sports & Culture Inc. salute your accomplishments.

MANNY B. CASTILLO

President