Queen City goes 'Down Under'

AS THE last day of summer was drawing to a close, the Australian Embassy gave Cebuanos a taste of Australia by hosting the Philippines-Australia Friendship Day Festival last May 24 to 25 at Ayala Center Cebu. Indeed, the festival made for a perfect ending to the season.

The two-day celebration highlighted different activities including a retail, education and travel fair at the mall’s activity center. Food-wise, shoppers got to explore different treats from sweet to healthy. People also got a chance to browse for the best travel deals to Australia, and even the chance to study there. Other highlights were the concert and a viewing of Australian short and feature films at The Terraces.

Over at The Gallery, a fashion parade took place where personalities walked the runway. The models showcased Australian fashion brands like Cotton On, Ever New, Quicksilver, Roxy, BYS Cosmetics, and Anthill by Cebuano designer and Australia Global Alumna Anya Lim. Young Cebuanos and champion athletes from the Philippine Accessible Disability Services Inc. (PADS) Adaptive Dragon Boat Team were clad in casual ensembles and swimwear that, in a way, resonated not just the Australian vibe but also the tropical and laid-back sense of Cebu.

This year’s Philippines-Australia Friendship Day was part of the larger Australia Now celebration across the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

“Australia has deep links with Cebu through the growing number of Australian businesses who operate in Cebu and employ Cebuanos, as well as Australian educated alumni. Cebu is a vibrant city and we wanted to make sure we shared Philippines-Australia Friendship Day with people from the Queen City,” shared Steven J. Robinson, AO Australian Ambassador to the Philippines.

“We wanted the Cebuanos to have a taste of Australia. Australia is diverse and inclusive and has a lot to offer in the corporate sphere, as well as in our strong people to people links. For example, the community fashion parade showcased great Australian brands, as well as our links to young Cebuanos and the Philippine Accessible Disability Services (PADS) Adaptive Dragon Boat Team. We had a lot of fun in Cebu and were so pleased to see Cebuanos experiencing a taste of Australia.”