EVESTCCO - (Leyte, Samar & Biliran Islands)

You are all invited to the 2009 Philippine National Day Ball in celebration of the 111th anniversary of Philippine Independence.

The  PND Ball will be held on 13 June 2009 at Grand Pavilion, Rosehill Gardens, Rosehill, NSW. Please contact Ronaldo at 0423 590 561 for details.

For those who think I am being discriminatory or sexist, I am not talking only about outward beauty, I am talking about inward beauty, and the young woman who is only 18 years old has to me a very good outlook on life. Whom am I talking about? The young woman's name is Miss Donna Marie Jones from Liverpool, NSW, and our very own candidate for the 2009 Miss Philippine-Australian Contest, to held in October.

Donna is studying at Australian Careers Business College to become a stewardess, as she has a passion for Tourism and to study the many cultures of the world, and especially to travel to the Philippines and learn about her mothers own culture, and language. Donna hopes to one day to be able to speak fluently the national language and to be able to converse with other Filipino's within the global community.
This young woman has the gift of dance and song, always learning new dance routines and learning to sing Tagalog, especially when singing karaoke. Her other interests are also gifted, writing poetry, writing and composing songs. or over 10 years Donna has been actively involved in the Filipino Community, of whom she proudly says, "I am a part of."

Donna's parents are her Father, Mr Donald Jones, an Australian and her Mother, Mrs Alicia Jones, a Filipina from Bacolad in Negros Occidental. She has no siblings, but proudly calls her friends her extended family, which are like brothers and sisters to her. Donna states she is a shy, helpful, caring, loving, down to earth girl, who will do what is expected of her, as she is a much-organised girl.

By Richard James Ford

Press Relations Officer (VAA Inc. and EVESTCCO) & Business Manager (Fil-Oz Liverpool & Districts)

The Visayan Cultural Dance Group is a dance group made up of members from  four combined groups, the Visayan Association of Australia Inc (VAAI), Fil-Oz Liverpool and Districts, Praise Family Apostolate and EVESTCCO- Eastern  Visayas community.

Among the recent folk dances performed by the Visayan Cultural Dance Group includes Itik-Itik (Duck Dance) and Bulaklakan (Flower Dance). A religious dance called "Sinulog" is also presented to the community in honour of the St. Nino.

The Visayan Cultural Dance Group is co-coordinated by the President of VAA Inc.  Mrs. Edna Voros. All members of the group have experience in Filipino Folk Dances and help each other when it comes to dance rehearsals  and ideas for various routines and costumes. It is currently has twenty members in its roll performing various dance roles.