Gold Coast Filipino Australian Cultural Ensemble

19/06/2026

19th June
It was a privilege to join the roundtable discussion with Minister Andrew Leigh MP and Rowan Holzberger MP. It is an honour to represent the Filipino community -Gold Coast Filipino Australian Cultural Ensemble, and to contribute to conversations that truly matter.

Thank you to our leaders for taking the time to listen, engage, and genuinely seek solutions and meaningful outcomes for the challenges faced by grassroots organisations and multicultural communities. It was encouraging to witness a willingness to hear diverse perspectives and recognise the important role community voices play in shaping a stronger and more inclusive future.

A heartfelt thank you to TMC - Thriving Multicultural Communities Jake Tmc, for organising this valuable opportunity for dialogue, collaboration, and learning.

We leave today’s discussions with gratitude, new insights, and renewed hope as we continue advocating for the communities we serve. Together, may we keep building communities where every voice is valued, every contribution matters, and every culture is celebrated.

16/06/2026

HONOURED. HUMBLED. GRATEFUL.

The Filipino Community Council of Queensland Inc. (FCCQ, Inc.), trading as the Gold Coast Filipino Australian Cultural Ensemble (GCFACE), is deeply honoured to receive this Certificate of Recognition from the Philippine Consulate in Queensland during the Philippine Independence Day Gala Reception held at the historic Queensland Parliament House.

This recognition commemorates the 128th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 80th Anniversary of Philippines–Australia Diplomatic Relations, a milestone that celebrates not only the enduring friendship between our two nations, but also the invaluable contributions of Filipino Australians to Queensland’s rich multicultural tapestry.

As a community organisation dedicated to preserving and sharing Filipino heritage through culture, dance, music, and service, we are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to be an active part of both the Filipino community and the broader multicultural community of Queensland. Every performance, every volunteer hour, and every collaboration is driven by our commitment to build bridges of understanding, celebrate diversity, and honour the traditions that connect us to our roots.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the distinguished dignitaries and leaders whose presence affirmed the importance of our community and the values we represent:

H.E. Antonio A. Morales – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to Australia Philippine Embassy in Australia

Atty. Sheryll Gabutero – Honorary Consul of the Philippine Consulate Queensland

The Honourable David Crisafulli MP – Premier of Queensland and Minister for Veterans

The Honourable Milton Dick MP – Federal Member for Oxley
Speaker of the House of Representatives

The Honourable Fiona Simpson MP– Minister for Women and Women's Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism

Rob Molhoek MP- Member for Southport and Chair of the Queensland Parliament's Health, Environment and Innovation Committee.
Co-Chair, Parliamentary Friends of the Philippines

Peter Russo MP - Toohey– Member, Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee.
Co-Chair, Parliamentary Friends of the Philippines

Charis Mullen MP- Shadow Minister for Public Works & Multicultural Affairs

Cr James O'Shea- Councillor, Toowoomba Regional Council

Members of the Queensland Parliament, diplomatic officials, community leaders, and all invited guests.

To the Philippine Consulate Queensland, thank you for recognising the efforts of Filipino organisations across the state and for your unwavering support in strengthening ties between Queensland and the Philippines.

This certificate belongs to every volunteer who worked behind the scenes, every family who supported our journey, and every member of our community who believes that culture has the power to unite people.

As we celebrate this honour, we remain inspired to continue our mission:

To preserve our Filipino heritage. To promote multicultural understanding. To serve our community with pride. And to ensure that the vibrant spirit of the Filipino people continues to shine brightly across Queensland and beyond.

Maraming salamat po.
Mabuhay ang Filipino-Australian community! 🇦🇺🇵🇭

And long live the friendship between the Philippines and Australia.



(More photos to follow)

16/06/2026

What a wonderful celebration of multiculturalism and community.

On 15 June, the Gold Coast Filipino Australian Cultural Ensemble (GCFACE) had the joy of visiting Lions Haven For The Aged to be part of their special Multicultural Day celebration.

What perfect timing it was for us to share a piece of the Philippines, as Filipinos around the world marked the 128th Philippine Independence Day on 12 June.

It was truly special to share the beauty of our Filipino heritage through music, dance, and fellowship with the wonderful residents and staff. Seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter, and witnessing everyone come together in celebration reminded us that our culture has the power to unite generations and bring joy wherever we go.

Thank you, Lions Haven for the Aged, for welcoming us so warmly and for celebrating the rich diversity that makes our communities stronger.

(Photo Credit: Lions Haven for the Aged)
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18h4NAxF15/?mibextid=wwXIfr

16/06/2026

Thank you, Lions Haven For The Aged, for welcoming us so warmly and for celebrating the rich diversity that makes our communities stronger.

Mabuhay 🇵🇭

15/06/2026

If you see yourself, this one’s for you ❤️

Australia Friendship Day 2026 - Part 3

The moments that stay with you after everything ends. The faces, the energy, the feeling of being part of something shared with so many others at the same time.

A reminder that this day wasn’t just watched, it was felt.

📸 Final set from Australia Friendship Day 2026.

📸 Part 1
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BAbZWbCmo/

📸 Part 2
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ChsZUncXh/

🎥 Highlight video in the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18uBdvvLs5/

15/06/2026

Some moments you don’t forget 👀

Australia Friendship Day 2026 - Part 2

This is where everything slowed down and you could really feel it, the connection, the pride, the culture, the people just being present in the moment. Nothing forced. Just real energy and real community.

This is what it looks like when everyone shows up as themselves.

Tag your friends if you spot them ❤️

📸 Part 3
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18cK14dgNF/

🎥 Watch the highlight video in the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18uBdvvLs5/

15/06/2026

👀 You had to be there.

Australia Friendship Day 2026 - Part 1

From the first moments to the peak of the day, everything just came alive. The energy, the movement, the atmosphere, it all built into something bigger than an event. It felt like the whole place was connected.

Different cultures. One celebration. One community.

📸 Part 2 continues the story.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ChsZUncXh/

🎥 Watch the highlight video in the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18uBdvvLs5/

14/06/2026

🇵🇭 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗥 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗖𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟭𝟮𝟴𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 🇵🇭

I join all Filipinos in Australia in celebrating the 128th anniversary of the declaration of the Independence of the Philippines and in honoring our rich and proud heritage.
In 1898, the Philippine flag was first raised in Kawit, Cavite. This historic event affirmed a collective determination that identity, dignity, and self-determination belong to a people who choose to shape their own future.
The pursuit of our sovereignty includes in its history a thread of connections across oceans, woven by Filipinos united by a shared aspiration for freedom and nationhood. Among them were the Manilamen, the first Filipinos known to have settled in Australia in the i9th century and worked as pearl divers. Some were also political exiles active in the Philippine revolutionary movement. Despite their modest means, they contributed their savings toward the purchase of a printing press in Hong Kong which helped to sustain the intellectual and material lifeblood of the reformist press that gave voice to a growing national consciousness back home.
The awakening of that national consciousness found one of its most influential voices in our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, whose life, writings, and sacrifice inspired generations of Filipinos. One important lesson is that nation-building is a collective responsibility. While the challenges of our times may differ from those faced by Rizal and our forebears, the call to serve our nation remains the same.
It is the enduring unity and purpose that has underscored our place in history as the earliest modern democracy and republic in Asia. This is why our Filipino communities overseas remain vital to our national story.
In Australia, the Filipino community has grown into one of the countrys largest and most dynamic migrant groups, numbering more than 400,000. You are one of the pillars of our robust relations and an inspiration to our strong resolve to deepen our bilateral Strategic Partnership. I thank all of you for your dedication and contributions in uplifting the profile of the Philippines in Australia, especially as we celebrate the 8o years of formal diplomatic relations this year.
I take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to all our kababayan across the country who, throughout June, come together in celebration and remembrance. May your love of country remain steadfast, and may hope continue to guide our path to a brighter future for the Philippines.
Maligayang Araw ng Kasarinlan at Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

ANTONIO A. MORALES
Ambassador
12 June 2026, Canberra

🇵🇭 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗥 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗖𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟭𝟮𝟴𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 🇵🇭

13/06/2026

CULTURE • CONNECTION • COMMUNITY

Join us for the Multicultural Dance Workshop, Indigenous Connections Through Culture and Dance.

Thank you very much for your support Mayor Tom Tate Cr Nick Marshall OAM Division 12, Gold Coast City of Gold Coast, we have the wonderful opportunity to come together, learn, and be inspired.

This is an experience not to be missed.

Attend
Learn
Inspire

Together, let’s celebrate the rich diversity of our communities and deepen our understanding of Indigenous culture.

12/06/2026

12th June 2026

The Gold Coast Filipino Australian Cultural Ensemble (GCFACE) was honoured to be invited to participate in PASOC Inc.’s Philippine Independence Day Celebration this evening at Runcorn Tavern.

As we commemorate the 128th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, we were proud to share and showcase Philippine cultural dances, celebrating the rich traditions, heritage, and spirit of the Filipino people.

Thank you to PASOC INC (Pilipino Australian Social Club Inc.) PASOC Inc. for the warm invitation and for bringing the community together for such a meaningful celebration.

It is always a privilege for GCFACE to promote and preserve Filipino culture through dance and to share our heritage with both the Filipino community and the wider Australian community.

Together, we celebrate our history, honour our roots, and keep our cultural traditions alive for future generations.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! 🇵🇭
Mabuhay ang kulturang Pilipino!