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SYDNEY , AUSTRALIA – The Filipino-Australian community in collaboration with Adhika , community groups , and awardwinning writer Merlinda Bobis will celebrate the resilience of women and girls in a program called ‚ Lakas Adhika ’ in time for International Women ’ s Month ( IWM ) in March .
‘ Lakas Adhika ’, which means ‘ strength of aspiration ’ in Filipino , will be held on Friday , March 17 from 6pm-8pm at Dooleys Catholic Club in Lidcombe , Sydney .
The program threads together real life stories from women and girls , traditional and contemporary music , poetry , and an exhibition of drawings by children survivors of Haiyan . Bobis has assisted Adhika in developing the program , which she hopes can extend the usual International Women ’ s Month celebration .
During the early days of planning the event , Bobis asked : „ But where are the young girls ? Why do we just celebrate the women ? Shouldn ’ t we be giving as much attention to the next generation that must continue this lakas adhika , this drive for empowerment for themselves and their communities ?”
She is in good company . One of the most high-profile advocates of gender rights is former First Lady Michelle Obama who last year launched her own women & girls initiative .
“ We are very honoured to have Merlinda on board ‘ Lakas Adhika ’. Her work will go a long way in giving voice to the stories of women and girls , their victories and their challenges ,” said Josie ‘ Pines ’ Musa , founding president of Adhika , an association for Filipino- Australian radio broadcasters and journalists .
“ Being an accomplished and multiawarded writer , she is an inspiration to the next generation of writers in our community ,” she added .
Among the storytellers and singers performing on the night are Christine Torres , Cleo Baltazar , Jasmine Henry
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and Robyn Russell , with poetry readings by award-winning journalists Violi Calvert and Michelle Baltazar . Bobis will also be sharing her works on women and girls surviving and holding back actual and life storms .
Bobis , whose latest novel ‘ Locust Girl . A Lovesong ’ won the prestigious Christina Stead Prize for Fiction , New South Wales Premier ’ s Literary Award , hopes that the program can inspire future events that give more space and time to the stories and voices of young people .
The event will also give Tribute to the Adhika 2017 Inspiring Women ,
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with esteemed guests , the Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis , Consul Melanie Deano and the Sonata Singers .
The program runs from 6pm-8pm . Tickets to the event are $ 30 and includes drinks and canapes .
Proceeds from the event will go towards a school library in Bicol , Philippines , which was devastated by Typhoon Nina late last year .
For ticket or sponsorship enquiries , contact Josie Musa on 0404 631 438 , Michelle Baltazar on 0412 906 224 , Violi Calvert on 0408 22 77 94 or Cez Lapus on 0416 153 990 .
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2017 Walk for Respect Ambassadors Romy Cayabyab , Lina Cabaero , Violi Calvert .
Walk for Respect Gains Momentum Walk for Respect , the fight to keep section 18c of the Anti Discrimination Act intact has recently been relaunched .
Tony Burke , Federal Member for Watson , in collaboration with Sophie Cotsis , State Member for Canterbury and Jihad Dib , State Member for Lakemba , invited leaders and representatives of various community groups to an event held on February 24 , 2017 at the Chinese Australian Service Society centre in Campsie , inner western suburb of Sydney .
In this event , the community leaders and representatives were invited to be community ambassadors for the planned Walk for Respect to be held on March 31 at Lakemba .
Section 18c protects against offence , insult and humiliation based on race , colour , nationality or ethnic origin . There was a proposal by Senator George Brandis in 2014 to amend 18c ; however the strength of the public ’ s protest demonstrated in that event and objections expressed through other means resulted in the proposed amendments being shelved indefinitely .
There has been recent move to revive the amendment of Section 18c to remove the words “ offend and insult ” from section 18C of the act , a variation on the proposed changes that the Abbott government abandoned in August 2014 . Now Independent , former Liberal Senators Cory Bernardi and Liberal Senator Dean Smith co-sponsored the bill with Family First ’ s Bob Day and Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm .
At the launch of 2017 Walk for Respect , Tony Burke said : “” We are here in Campsie today inviting people to join us in the Walk for Respect . Voices of racism are getting louder around the world . Instead of just getting angry and criticise , we decide that the best thing to do is to celebrate who we are ; to celebrate harmony ; to celebrate for each other .
At a time when some people are arguing that we need more racial hate speech and the need to get rid of some of the protection in the Anti Discrimination Act , this is our message . On 31st March , Friday afternoon , at 5 o ’ clock we are asking people to come to Lakemba to join us . Other people in other parts of the world will be joining us . It will not be an angry march , with no chanting but there will be drums , music and colour . It will be a celebration of the best of modern Australia ....”
The community protest against the proposed amendment to the Act which was first held in May 2014 was also spearheaded by Tony Burke At the Walk , Filipino- Australians prominently participated ; officers and members of APCO , FLAGCOM , Migrante NSW , radio broadcasters , writers and photographers to name a few . The VSD Dancerz led by Victor Valdez also performed a number in the programme held after the Walk .
In attendance at the Walk in 2014 , APCO founding President , Cen Amores said : “ As an active member representing APCO to the Board of Management of Ethnic Communities Council of NSW ( ECC NSW ) the peak state body of CALD communities , I have been actively involved in the campaign against the proposal to water down 18C of the Anti- Discrimination Act . A petition from ECCNSW Chair regarding our stand on this issue has been made late last year . With more people joining together in the campaign , we can send a strong message to the current government that we stand united to fight against any attempt to encourage discrimination .”
Among the invitees from the Filipino-Australian community to be ambassadors for the 2017 Walk for Respect were Lina Cabaero [ Asian Women Union ], Violi Calvert [ Radio Tagumpay ] and Romy Cayabyab [ Editor and Publisher of The Filipino Australian ].
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