Tagalog Association of Australia held Fies-TAA on August 9, 2025 to celebrate its 12th anniversary and Buwan ng Wika (National Language Month).  The celebration was held in a  place where other Filipino-Australian members of the public frequent ECQ (Eastern Creek Quarter) shopping centre where the venue was located.
The meaningful and enjoyable celebration was attended by TAA’s officers and members, and their supporters.  The special guests were headed by Hon Consul General of NSW Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil, Consul Sheila Marie Tario and Cultural Officer Rowena Garcia; as well as Grace Liston, President of the Philippine Community Council of NSW (PCC NSW) and Ronna Guzam, President of the Philippine Australian Multicultural Association Inc (PAMAI).
After the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and the Australian National Anthem, the invocation was given by Eric Maliwat, Pastor of Christian Church.  This was followed by Lillian de los Reyes as Immediate Past President, TAA delivering the Opening Remarks.
One of the aims of the celebration was the oath taking of TAA’s elected officer for 2025-2027.  The officers were introduced by Cesar Bartolome, former President of TAA and PCC NSW while Grace Liston did the Charging of the Officers part of the ceremony.
The oath taking of the officers were presided by Consul General Aviquivil. 

The sworn officers are as follows:
Eric Maliwat                           Pangulo / President
Violi Calvert                           Pangalawang Pangulo (Panglabas) / Vice President (External)
Ery Rivera                               Pangalawang Pangulo (Pangloob)/ Vice President (Internal)
Marilie Bomediano                 Kalihim / Secretary
Fredisinda Buchlak                 Ingat-Yaman / Treasurer
Danilo Peralta                         Tagasuri / Auditor
Grazie Panlican                      Ugnayang Pampubliko / Public Relations Officer (PRO)
Manuel Abad Recio                Katulong na Ugnayang Pampubliko  / Asst PRO|
Lem Tandang                          Katulong na Ugnayang Pampubliko  / Asst PRO|
Lillian de los Reyes                Nakaraang Pangulo / Immediate Past President
Cesar Bartolome                     Direktor / Director
 Daisy Ann Cumming             Direktor  / Director
Jhun Morales                          Direktor / Director

(The Directors who were unable to attend were Obet Dionisio, Ross Aguilar and Rollie Metierra.)

This was followed by the message by Hon Consul General Aviquivil.  She congratulated the officers who were inducted and she praised TAA for its initiatives and projects that promotes the appreciation and use of Pilipino, the Philippine national language,

TAA President, Eric Maliwat delivered his inaugural speech.  He thanked the Philippine Consulate General officials and all who gave their time to attend and join in the event celebrating TAA’s 12th anniversary and offering for national language month. 
Before the entertainment part of the celebration, Eric Maliwat presented Hon Consul General Aviquivil a  copy of ANG BIBLE Pinoy Version.  It was a collaborative effort from Filipino Roman Catholic priests, Protestant ministers and linguists with the editorial team of the Philippine Bible Society (PBS). The copy given was specially signed by Hon. Chief Justice Renato Puno (ret.) PBS chairperson and Ms Perry Cartera, PBS Gen. Secretary.  He also presented to Consul General Aviquivil, Lillian de Los Reyes and Grace Liston a framed 'Mabuhay' greeting.
The first number of the entertainment offered in the second part of the event was a Tiktok dance led by Manuel Abad Recio to the tune of the modern version of ‘Dahil sa Iyo’ by Inigo Pascual.  He was joined by the officers in the impromptu and fun dancing.  The operatic singing of Lem Tandang of the song “Hanggang” by Wency Cornejo enthralled all.

A special BNW offering a short traditional balagtasan, or poetic debate in Pilipino was held.  The topic was AI or Artificial Intelligence – Let us Examine : Beneficial or  Detrimental, from the writing of Eric Maliwat who also had the role of Lakandiwa who is the judge and moderator.   The poets who defended that AI is beneficial were Cesar Bartolome and Ery Rivera. The protagonist poets were Danilo Peralta and Violi Calvert.  After the lively exchange of arguments, Lakandiwa Eric declared that the two sides were equal and a longer poetic debate on the topic will be conducted.

The last part of the program was the Closing Remarks by Violi Calvert who thanked everyone for their attendance to the event and invited their continuing support to TAA’s forthcoming projects and initiatives.
Watch this space for TAA’s upcoming exciting projects.