Read Philippines Project Goes To Penrith

The READ PHILIPPINES PROJECT will be formally launched in the City of Penrith as a joint undertaking of the Philippine Consul General in Sydney, Penrith City Council and the Filipino-Australian community. This project is designed to promote greater interest and awareness of Philippine cultural heritage through an updated wider collection of books and audio-visual materials on the Philippines that will be made available through Penrith City Library.

Consul General Maria Theresa Lazaro addressed the Filipino-Australians during an information meeting and fellowship held on August 25 at the Penrith City Library. The Consul General has always emphasized that “the involvement of the Filipino-Australian community in the partnership is a vital component in the success of the project. As stakeholders in the endeavour, they can encourage Filipinos and Australians alike to support their local library by reading on the Philippines."

Penrith City Mayor Pat Sheehy has expressed his interest in Philippine culture during his recent meeting with the area coordinators of the Read Philippines project in Penrith. He has further encouraged the Filipino-Australian community to pursue its commitment in making the community-at-large increasingly aware of the Filipino ethnicity and values.

Colin Stevenson, the Library Services Manager, has given his enthusiastic support to this project and indicated that the Project is in line with the Penrith City Library’s existing subject specialty on Southeast Asia book collections on geography and history.

The launch, with the full support of the Penrith City Council, will take place at the well-known Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Center from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Saturday, 29 September 2007. The highlights of this exciting event will be a cultural presentation of Filipiniana dances, music and songs; a concert of distinguished Filipino performers; and a display of Philippine books and articles. The entry fee is $2 per person; $5 per family and proceeds will be used in the purchase of books, magazines, videos to be donated to the Penrith City Library. The Golf Par-e Social Club and Plaza Pilipino, Inc have also given their support to the launching of this project in Penrith.


For further information, please contact your local area coordinators: Malu Barroga, Marie Bandayrel, Tony Cortez, Mitzi de Vries, Dr.Alexis Leones, Willie Limjap, Joey Mercado, Ninea Nepomuceno & Edith Plaza.