Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo (second from right) and Deputy Consul General Anthony Mandap (leftmost) join Filipino community leaders for a photo-op with the Reyna Elena and Constantino during the Santacruzan festival highlighted by Phil-Aus@75, a Tribute Concert held in conjunction with the 75^th anniversary of Philippines-Australia friendship. A bevy of smiling little angels (right)

The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne participated in the Tribute Concert and Foodfest held in conjunction with the 75^th anniversary of Philippines-Australia diplomatic relations, held at the coastal Melbourne suburb of Williamstown. The event featured Santacruzan, the cherished Filipino tradition and May festival honoring Queen Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, and other figures who joined the Queen in her quest for the legendary “True Cross.”

Melbourne PCG officers are joined by Vivian Nguyen (center), commissioner of the Victoria Multicultural Commission, and FilCom leaders, organizers, sponsors (from left to right) Charlie Yao, Norma San Diego and event organizer Marisa Vedar.
 
The Santacruzan offered a glimpse for young Filipino-Australians of the colorful tradition, where usually the prettiest barrio maidens turned up in their finest evening gowns to join a procession in honor of Queen Helena and other Christian pioneers.

The Concert, nicknamed Phil-Aus@75, was the last of the series of events lined up to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of Philippines-Australia ties. It was supposed to take place last year, but had to be postponed at least thrice due to the COVID-19 restrictions. It featured six bands which took turns playing mostly OPM (original Pilipino music) and pop hits popularized by Australian artists.

The six bands – Alpha Music Core, Miguel Valdivia, The Quinals, Down Beat, Karen Esco and Soulthenic, and U4YA – rocked the Seaworks Maritime Precinct all afternoon with familiar tunes, while food vendors outside served up favorite Filipino dishes and delicacies.

The Consulate took advantage of the opportunity to spread awareness of its various services, including the promotion of trade, investment and tourism opportunities in the Philippines by occupying a booth displaying various information and promotional materials. In her remarks, the undersigned drew attention to the enduring friendship and the diversifying areas of engagement between the two countries and the launch of the Philippines-Australia Friendship Day every 22 May starting this year.