Dutch Pinoys behind Kalayaan FIesta Foundation's success

By Loui Galicia, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau 06/26/2009 2:20 PM

The solid determination of many Filipinos paved the way to ensure that there will be a yearly Philippine Independence Day celebration in The Netherlands.

The recent celebration almost did not take place because of a split among the members of the coalition that organizes the event every year since 1988.

But because of the dedication and conviction of many Pinoys, the Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation was established in place of the coalition that collapsed in April.

“Ang Kalayaan po ay nabuo dahil sa maraming gustong pagbabago ang mga Pilipino dito. Ngayong taon gusto nilang mapabuti ang pera at ang programa natin gusto nilang mapaganda,” said Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation Supervisory Board Chairman Jun Ortega.

“Marami kaming naririnig sa mga tao, sa mga kababayan natin na mga negative na kesyo daw ang mga pera hindi transparent. Kesyo daw po ganun, ganyan, hindi na ako mag-eelaborate dahil hindi po naman dapat,” Ortega added when asked about the rift among members that almost cancelled the event.

The communities of Baranggay sa Holland and United Filipino-Dutch Association are behind the foundation which aims to strengthen the bond and promote unity among the Filipinos in Holland.

The misunderstanding in the coalition served as a big lesson for the members to act and guarantee that the foundation will not falter.

The members said that the foundation was built for a long-term existence.

“Ito ay kailangang itaguyod ng iba dahil we are supported by protocols. Let’s say yung chairman or kung sinong nangangasiwa mag-abuso. Yung protocol ang kalaban nila at yung mga tao na ang kalaban nila,” Executive Board Chairman Jimmy Munoz said.

“Actually sa coalition, wala kaming formal o signed agreement na kami’y coalition. Yun lang lumago ng lumago ng ganun. Wala namang problema dun. Pwede naman kaming mag-negotiate ulit. Why not,” Munoz added.

Munoz cautioned that those who would want to join will have to comply with the foundation’s protocols, house rules and regulations.

With this important issue settled, no other than Ambassador Romeo Arguelles was the first to welcome the good news.

It is certain now that Arguelles will not leave Holland next month with a heavy heart.

“I think kung iyan mawawala tuluyan, medyo parang nawalan ka na ng isang something which is very valuable to you and important. Bagamat ako ay aalis na, ako’y natutuwa na ito’y tutuloy,” Arguelles said.

For the Dutch Pinoys, the Independence Day celebration is the only chance for all Filipinos from different parts of the Netherlands to connect and remind them of their home country.

“Hindi naman para sa amin ito kundi para sa Filipino community na malayo sa ating bayang Pilipinas kasi one time a year lang tayo nagsasama-sama,” Lani van Elleswijk, secretary of Baranggay sa Holland said.

Now that the euphoria from the success of the 111th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day is over, the foundation is now busy lining up projects to collect funds for the benefit of the less-fortunate kababayans in the Philippines.
as of 06/26/2009 2:24 PM

SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/06/26/09/dutch-pinoys-behind-kalayaan-fiesta-foundations-success