Time to blow the candles - a Filipino group known for its artistic know-how and advocacy for gay and lesbian rights turns five.
In the Filipino-Australian community, there is a go-to association for all things entertainment, fashion and stage management.
Christened 'the Dynamic Duo' by one newspaper, Albert Prias and Charles Chan are the beauty and the brains, in equal measure, behind the Filipino Lesbian and Gay Community (And Friends) group, or 'FLAGCOM' for short.
FLAGCOM was founded five years ago when Albert, Charles and a group of friends decided it was high time that a voice was given to the Filipino lesbian community in Australia. Add to that objective was their goal to provide education around 'safe sex'. They also felt an association was needed to forge strong links with other umbrella associations in Australia representing gay and lesbian rights.
Fast forward to 2014 and the dynamic duo have achieved all those objectives and more. Through their annual transgender beauty competition held in Sydney, open to transgenders of all colour, they were able to promote safe sex education not just within the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community but to a wider audience.
Both Albert and Charles are consummate professionals onstage and backstage, collaborating with event organisers - adding glitz, glamour and a polished touch to otherwise ho-hum and often disorganised community events.
But in a classic Filipino move, the pair decided to celebrate their fifth year in a low-key and very family-oriented lunch gathering at Albert's residence in Blacktown over the weekend.
Surrounded by family and friends, they gave a thank-you speech to those who have supported them through the years, including staffers at their events, the dance groups (VSD and the Mindanao Ethnic Dance Group) and many more.
Charles said that reflecting back on FLAGCOM's work, he said their greatest achievement is how the association has become a force to reckon with, in both advocacy for gay and lesbian rights, as well as a 'creative force' in various community projects and functions.
He said that in many ways, FLAGCOM is blessed because the Filipino community has always been ahead of other cultures when it comes to embracing gays and lesbians.
Early this year, for example, the Filipino-American supermodel Geena Rocero revealed she is a transgender and has since blazed a trail for transgender rights. Rocero said in an interview that while she feared what the public would think, she's always had support from her mom and her immediate family since she had her sex change in her teen years.
Albert told his guests that FLAGCOM couldn't have been successful without the strong support of the community and looks forward to spending the years ahead breaking new ground on fashion and entertainment. They will also continue with their 'safe sex' educational campaign, a very important issue not just among LGBTs but to the wider community.
Photos by Vivian Brewington and Brillo Amores.
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