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Falina Buhulon to the top

My name is Falina Buhulon. I am 17 and currently in year 12. My parents are Constancio and Cecille and I am the second in a brood of five. My hobbies include hockey and I love fashion, designing and shopping.

My father originated from Ifugao and his experience made me realise that I am one those who are fortunate enough to break away from a life of poverty.

For the sake of a worthy cause, I am willing to commit myself to work hard and offer any help that could at least lessen the burdens carried by our less fortunate brothers and sisters due to extreme poverty. I am aware that I may not be able to do much but as the saying goes, “A pebble dropped in still water creates endless ripples” so lets get the ball rolling. Mabuhay PHILCOR!

Jasmene Comafay to the top

My name is Jasmene Comafay. I am 21 and was born in La Trinidad, Benguet. I have a loving family of 8 consisting of my wonderful parents Juliet and Benedict, my brothers Jure, Nichol, Kniles and Francisco, my sister Abigail and myself being the second eldest of the bunch! This family is everything to me and all that I am. We are not only a family but I also consider them my closest friends.

I love kids and one of my dreams is to help build a childcare centre for our Church.

Come to Jesus Christian Fellowship (CTJ) is where I have come to grow in my faith and have adopted as a family because of the love and the atmosphere of fellowship that the people share. I am also apart of the CTJ children’s ministry where I have the privilege to be with kids who continue to inspire me as they bring fun, joy, laughter, and faith.

Mylene Liwayan to the top

My name is Mylene Liwayan. I am 22 years old and the eldest of five children of Marina and Rodolfo Liwayan. I recently graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing from the University of Western Sydney. I am currently working at the Westmead hospital.

My hobbies include reading, singing and dancing. My goals for the future are to travel the world and to do Masters and Honours at University.

I support local and international charities like the “Save the Children Fund”. I would like to bring cultural awareness to the Filipino Australian community about the Philippine Cordillerans and help in raising funds for their charities.

Gratel Quiroz to the top

I am Gratel Quiroz, 20, and the second of three girls. I am currently studying Hospitality Management while at the same time working as a Reservation Guest Agent at the Blaxland Accommodation and Conference Complex.

With further study and experience in the Tourism Industry, I aim to manage a hotel and hope to own my own hospitality establishment in the future. My sights are also set on traveling and to study Travel and Tourism Management along with Event Management.

I entered this competition because I have seen what we, here in Australia, are fortunate to have and what they, in the Philippines especially in the Mountain Provinces, have very less of.

This contest allows me to lend a helping hand to raise much needed funds for the less fortunate families that need our assistance.

Janella Tiongan to the top

Janella Rose Tiongan, 19, is the youngest of seven children. She is the daughter of Gloria and the late Juan Tiongan from Baguio, Benguet. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations at the University of Western Sydney.

“After returning home from the Philippines early this year, I have realised that there is still much to learn about our heritage and have come to appreciate it more. I would like our values and traditions to persist in the present and future generations. I have always believed in helping other people and have wanted to give back to my community. This has given me the opportunity to learn more about my culture and share our traditions with my peers.”