Join The Filipino Community In Celebrating Australia Day 2022

Filipino Barrio Fiesta Brisbane is hosting a FREE festival, ‘Salamat Po! Australia,’ a free festival in Willawong to celebrate Australia Day 2022.

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The SALAMAT PO! Australia (Thank you! Australia) Festival expresses the Filipino community’s gratitude to Australia, through a cultural celebration which will showcase both cultures and honour each other’s uniqueness.

Barrio Fiesta Australia Day event poster — Photo credit: Barrio Fiesta Brisbane/Facebook

This free event will start with a Thanksgiving Mass officiated by Fr Francis Belciña from St James Catholic Parish at 165 Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo before the celebration commences at 12:00 p.m. at the Unidus Community Centre.

What	SALAMAT PO! Australia celebration
Where	Unidus Community Centre, 204 Sherbrook Road, Willawong
When	26 January 2022, from 8:00 a.m.

Here are the activities and community events to look forward to throughout the day:

A FREE BBQ Sausage Sizzle and cultural activities for children hosted by members of the local Aborigine community, with face painting led by an Aborigine Artist, Aunty Peggy Tidyman, a Gunggari Elder.
Cultural production Binittuwon – a showcase of different cultures through music and dance.
Entertainment from didgeridoo player Rhys Monaghan and indigenous dancer, Taleatha Wright-Morgan, whose family comes from the Gubbi Gubbi tribe on the Sunshine Coast.
Cultural dance performances from the Filipino, with the Chinese and the Sri Lankan communities.
Music provided by three bands playing live alternately and for aspiring singers, the 4EB Radio Van Jam will also be on site.

Groove Street Band — Photo credit: Barrio Fiesta Brisbane/Facebook

The venue has plenty of space for picnics and for people to sit and enjoy the day as well as a basketball court. As for food, Indigenous Chef Nathan Skinner and Filipino Chef Rejoice Guevara – Thomson will collaborate to showcase food from each culture and will also show how ingredients from both cultures can be used together to create a dessert.

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Filipino Barrio Fiesta Brisbane spokesperson Honey Binny said doing something Australian like getting together with family or friends or going to a local community event is what Australia Day is all about, and there is something for everyone at SALAMAT PO! Australia.

Purple Hearts — Photo credit: Barrio Fiesta Brisbane/Facebook

“On this day we come together to value the contribution of each and every citizen and celebrate Australia Day as a friend, as a family, and as one nation,” she said.

“No words can express the gratitude we feel to the Australian people for welcoming us with open arms and with their hearts. Australia Day is a befitting day for us to celebrate and shout with our hearts, SALAMAT PO! Australia (Thank you, Australia),” Ms Binny said.

Please note that attendees must have completed both their vaccination shots. Those who would like to join can get their entry tickets by registering using their QR code. Further details are available at Barrio Fiesta Brisbane’s official Facebook page.