Filipino senior citizens group marks 24th year in Australia
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/11/2009 6:49 PM
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SYDNEY, Australia - A group of first generation Filipino migrants marked the 24th anniversary of their organization in Sydney, Australia.
Balitang Australia reported that members of the Philippine Australian Society of Senior Citizens, also known as PASSCI, came together at Fairfield Community Center to mark their anniversary.
“We have monthly meetings where we have lunch, a fellowship. As you have seen we have social dancing, singing, karaoke, and sometimes we have guests from other government agencies to talk about their health or their pensions and so on,” said PASSCI President Jose Relunia Jr.
Established in 1985, PASSCI was formed in response to the growing number of Filipinos reaching their retirement and choosing to stay on in Australia in their golden years.
The group holds monthly meetings where members can sing and dance to their hearts content in true Filipino fashion.
“It's more or less entertaining them as well as informing them of their stay in Australia,” added Relunia.
To be a member of PASSCI, one must be at least the age of 50 and although Normita Steward didn't quite hit the mark she jumped at the chance to join the organization in 1998.
Since her induction as a member she has embraced the group as an extension of her family. As the former PASSCI president, she takes pride in the group's commitment to serve the elderly.
“PASSCI to me is also an achievement. As a younger person when I joined PASSCI, working with the senior citizens and joining all their activities and even organizing some of their activities the littlest help or assistance is highly appreciated. To this day they still call me 'Madame' and all that because of all the things that I have done for them. PASSCI is another home, a substitute for my family back home,” Steward said.
The 300-member strong group shows no signs of slowing down as officers keenly plan for the 25th year anniversary extravaganza coming up next year. Report from Kris Lapez, ABS-CBN Australia News Bureau, Sydney
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