65th Leyte Gulf Landings Anniversary and Philippine Liberation Day Ball
The 65th Leyte Gulf Landings Anniversary and Liberation Day Ball was held on the 23rd of October 2009 at the All Saints Catholic Parish Hall in Liverpool.
The event also was used to help raise awareness of the needs for funds and support for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng. The night was attended by well over 100 people. The VIP guests included the following: All Saints Parish Priest Reverend Father Bill Wright, and Father Anthony, the Chaplain of Liverpool Hospital Catholic, Honourable Wendy Waller, Mayor of Liverpool City Council and her family, Mr Andy Ball, the Second Secretary of the United States Consulate General in Sydney, Vice Consul Anthony Reyes of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney and the representative of the Returned Soldiers League (RSL), NSW Branch, Vice-President, Mr John Haines AM.
It was a night of going back in time with the guests being served by the ladies dressed as female sailors, like in a Navy-Style Function, the ladies looked quite cute too. We also have a very special guest band, the Blacktown City Community Band, who performed many numbers but especially the three national anthems, of the respected countries represented.
The highlight of the evening was the 'Ceremonial Laying of Wreaths' in commemoration of those who gave their lives to the cause of freedom, and to them we owe a sincere debt of gratitude. The guest performers for the night include Ms Karen Valdez, Ms Mikayla Valdez, Ms Cynthia Gordon and Mr Emerson Tuazon, who all entertained the VIP's and visitors. The Visayan Cultural Dance Group also danced and thrilled us with the Hawaiian Dance.
The others guests included members of different community associations who are affiliated with the Philippine Community Council of NSW who again supported the Visayan Association of Australia Inc. and EVESTCCO in commemorating this annual event. This is the second time in which VAA Inc and EVESTCCO organised this event.
**For pics of the event, please click "Photo Gallery" from the left menu.
Richard J. Ford JP - Press Relations Officer , Visayan Association of Australia Inc. and EVESTCCO-Eastern Visayan Community, Richard is also the Vice-President (External) of Fil-Oz Liverpool and Districts, and a Director of the Calapenos and Friends Association.