WELCOME TO BARRACKS

Some of the coolest things about being part of a diplomatic corps are the invitations sent to us by the host government to go to places generally unknown or inaccessible to tourists, or even locals. Aside from learning of a site's fascinating history, we get to get up close to rare sights, and then message our millennial nieces and nephews "Ha! Wala ka pa nyan sa instagram mo, 'no!    

But seriously, all the Consuls in Sydney were delighted to be invited by the Armed Services to attend (for the first time ever, I think) High Tea at the historical Victoria Barracks. The 1800-era place was gorgeous, with an interesting (IG) story at every turn.

(I don't know how to use IG story)

The parade grounds used to double as a cricket field, and the soldiers would know they've "Hit for Six" if the ball reached the clock tower (or is it if it hit the number "6" on the clock? or is it if the clock struck six' o clock then times up and the match ends? i still don't fully understand cricket)

The cannons that still take positions around the place are from the First Fleet. That is all.

Columns for the building were actually ballasts of the early colonial ships. That's...that's just home renovation planning.

The Barracks are made from beautifully colored Sydney sandstone (or as it's called here, sandstone). Those black lines are actually centuries old scratch-marks from soldiers lighting up matches for their cigarettes (after the cricket, presumably), while the deep indentations you see at the corners are from soldiers wiping off muddy boots and bayonets after a long march (before the cricket, presumably)

I just now noticed that one sandstone block kinda looks like the Philippine flag.  I wonder what's the story behind that?  If only I knew instagram. Or cricket.    

SOMEBODY STARTED SCHOOL TODAY

Unleash the LLDD-Baby, Day One highlights: visit the principal's office, come home with two missing front teeth. 

atta girl 

PASKOMBALONG!

Talk about power up! From last week's first-ever Barrio Fiesta in Randwick, the Fil-Com drops a gigantic party right in the heart of Sydney!  The "Philippine Pasko Festival" at Tumbalong Park is just in its second year of existence, yet may already be the biggest and most bongga of such gatherings. My Barriometrics might not be able to keep up. Might.

(just like some of the pictures here might be stolen from FerGer's facebook page)

If it were an Australian basketball player it would be: Ben Simmons (technically just a sophomore, needs work on the all-around game, but whoa-nelly what talent and potential)

Size Matters?

In terms of land area, the only bigger fiesta I've seen has been in Apps Court outside of London.  But unlike Apps Court - which was in remote farmlands not readily accessible by public transport and far from any town or city - the Pasko Festival at Tumbalong was right in the middle of everything, with the huge stage and public marquees surrounded by the Central Business District, the International Convention Center, and the famous Darling Harbour.  Fil-com and foreigners alike could easily find the place, feel the vibe, and join the party. 

like Glastonbury, without the mud or hipsters

SOTBi (Shrimp on the Barbie index)

Off the charts! Lots of Pinoy food stalls augmented by food trucks selling crowd-pleasing creations like sisig fries, tapa burgers and halo-halo pops. Ang puso ko!

no, seriously, someone check my blood pressure

Bring the Kids

There's a big playground at Tumbalong Park, and there are various entertainment options all around the area. (btw, Tumbalong is traditional language for "place where seafood is found") But really, all those could be overlooked with the fun the kids could have onstage -- from free dancing, to singing contests, to face-painting, to parol-making, to traditional Pinoy children's games.

so successful, Santa was seen at the Philippine Department of Tourism booth planning his vacation itinerary 

Fabuloos

No need for porta-potties! The area surrounding Tumbalong is very touristy and abundant with clean public facilities. Now some of you out there may still long for the rugged appeal of an awesomely named pop-up festival loo, but let me assure you: once you go permanent bathroom fixture, you never go back

what with all those sisig fries and halo-halos

Fringe Benefits

As the name says, this was a Philippine and Pasko festival. So all the Aussies around were exposed to not just Pinoy culture and colors, but to our Christmas season that began well before November! 

you're welcome Summer Aussie Santa, you're welcome

Star Grazing

The organizers made the conscious decision to not import any celebrity or performer from back home to serve as a crowd drawer. Instead, they recruited exclusively from the local Fil-Com. Who's to say that wasn't the right way to go? There was more than enough talent to go around and there was never any shortage of entertainment available.

and you can never discover enough versions of "Dahil Sa 'Yo"

OH MY GOD! THAT'S THE LLDD-HYPHEN-L AND BABY'S MUSIC!!!

THEY'RE HERE

I'M HAPPY AUSTRALIA'S HAPPY EVERYONE'S HAPPY THEY'RE HERE

not a moment too soon

COOLEST PLEADINGS EVER

The Consular Corps was invited to the opening of the Australian National Maritime Museum's major new exhibition "GAPU-MONUK SALTWATER - JOURNEY TO SEA COUNTRY". It was a tremendous opportunity to learn about indigenous culture, particularly how historic bark paintings  essentially served as legal documents and briefs to win a landmark case on Indigenous sea rights. Highly recommend!

Now that's a closing statement.

FIESTA OF FIRSTS

The first barrio fiesta I ever attend in Australia happens to be the first ever Filipino Fiesta staged by the Fil-com in Randwick (eastern Sydney). It's time then to break out for the first time Down Under my patented advanced Barriometrics!

Size Matters?

Compact set-up, but then again this was the first time a Barrio Fiesta was held by this Fil-Com and in this neck of Sydney, so they couldn't risk going too large. Still, I learned later that all the stalls were profitable/successful, so they seem to have hit their Goldilocks principle sweet spot. (mmmm, Goldilocks mamon) 

BBQi

Not a problem. Good on ya, mates.

(ooh ooh, maybe in Sydney I should rename this the "Shrimp-on-the-BBQ- index")

Bring the Kids

No funfair on site, and I'm not sure if there was a park playground nearby, but there were a lot of great cultural performances that fascinated the kiddoroos.

Fabuloos

Straightforward enough name.  I'm more curious whether it flushes counter-clockwise.

Fringe Benefits

I'm not even sure if they were part of the program, but there were a lot of Elvis and Tina sightings. Warrants further research.

Star Grazing

No celebrities from back home, but there were several local beauty pageant winners who graced and added glamour to the occasion.

And, again, I mean....

Elvis has left the kutsinta

FIND SOMEONE WHO LOVES YOU THE WAY THE SYDNEY FIL-COM LOVES MY PREDECESSOR

Even before I arrived at the Sydney Consulate, I already knew that the officer I would be numerically replacing - whom I shall call FerGer - was highly regarded in the Department and would be a hard act to follow at post. What I didn't realize coming in was how utterly beloved he was by the local Fil-Com -- as in literally every day since I arrived has seen some grand fete or tribute by the community where he is celebrated in song.  From the classics...



...to original compositions....



...to pareng Bruno...



...to (and this one hits deep) the '80s.



To top it off, FerGer is able to honor them all back: he and his lovely wife are accomplished musicians and singers in their own rights



I have to call home and warn the LLDD-Hyphen-L of the talent and performance level of our predecessor power couple.

oh sweetie, we're so screwed 

ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW HARBOUR

So, yeah, I'm actually in Sydney alone right now, without the LLDD-Hyphen-L or Baby with me.  I like to think they stayed behind in Manila to finish up the LLDD-Baby's school term, while the LLDD-Hyphen-L believes I was sent away in advance so that someone could herald her eventual Australian arrival. In any case, our separation won't be as long as when we were in London, where we apart for almost half a year while the LLDD-Hyphen-L pursued her Moira MacTaggert degree and other shenanigans. And unlike then, we now have tech and social media to fill the emotional void, with such heart tugging posts as a stolen shot of our cab ride to the airport right before I flew out...

...or a screengrab of our skype sessions...

...or, um, creepshots of the LLDD-Hyhpen-L

soon Sydney, soon