Ang Kalatas newsmagazine officially announced its closure after 10 years of publication at a 'Tribute' and presentation lunch on Sunday, January 24, 2021 in St Joachim's church hall, Lidcombe NSW.
Publisher and managing editor Maria 'Milllie' Marcial received a glass plaque from the Filipino Press Group of Sydney, presented by parish priest Father Eduardo Orilla at the event.
The newsmagazine launched its first issue in October 2010 as a monthly newspaper for the Filipino-Australian community in the Sydney metropolitan and some areas in NSW. Its final issue was in December 2020, two months after celebrating 10 years of continuous publication.
Early in its existence, Ang Kalatas became the first Filipino community news medium to publish across three formats: as print, digital, and online editions. Along the way, the publication received a national award for leading the trend in going print-digital-online ahead of all ethnic publications in Australia.
Inscription on glass plaque presented to Ms Marcial read: 'In recognition of 10 continuous years in the practice of journalism in unselfish service to the Filipino community and mainstream Australia, this memento is awarded to the publisher and managing editor MARIA 'MILLIE' MARCIAL of Kalatas Media, publisher of Ang Kalatas newsmagazine in print, online and digital editions. Presented by members of the Filipino Press Group of Sydney on this day, Sunday, January 24, 2021.'
Her colleagues at the presentation shared their appreciation of being part of AK in serving the community for ten years. At the close of the presentation, Millie expressed her thanks:
It was a big challenge for a non-journo to start a publication that is why I am so grateful to those who helped and contributed to the publication. I will be forever indebted to them. AK may have ceased but I am looking forward to a new chapter for Kalatas Media. Thank you again to all the contributors, supporters and friends of AK. I couldn’t have reached 10 years without your help and support. I would like to say special thanks to Tito Jimmy Pimentel for being my mentor over the years and for taking AK to a nice finish. Mabuhay kayo! Salamat po!