Sydney
Olympics
Torch RelayRelunia runs for solidarity
in the Fil-Aust community
By ROMY
CAYABYAB
 I invite you to
come and experience with me this once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in Olympic
history. Atty Jose S. Relunia
Sydney, August 28. The Olympic Torch Relay, which started last month in Australia, is
now in its final laps. Soon, it will culminate at the Olympic site in Homebush on
September 15.
By that time, it would have touched the lives of many
Australians - natives and migrants alike.
This coming Sunday, the relay will arrive at Penrith - one
of the fast growing regions west of Sydney.
There's one man in the Filipino-Australian community in NSW
who is taking part in Olympic history: Atty Jose S. Relunia, 73, community leader,
president and founder of senior citizens associations. He is the sole Filipino torch
bearer in NSW participating in the event when the torch arrives at Penrith.
This morning, we ventured into tracking down Atty Relunia. After several calls to
offices and places we know he usually visits, we caught him doing his daily routine work
at the Hiyas ng Bayan Child Care Centre at Anderson Avenue, Mt Pritchard,
NSW.
RC: How does it feel to be part of Olympic history?
JR: I’m extremely honoured by the choice, especially
considering that I’m the only Filipino in NSW to be appointed as an official torch
bearer.
RC: How were you appointed to be a torch relay bearer?
JR: This came to me unexpected , ‘out of the blue’ so to
speak. I could only surmise that I was chosen because of my involvement in the community.
RC: Significance of your participation in the relay?
JR: When I run on Sunday, I’ll be carrying with me the hope and
dreams of the Filipino people. I’ll be running for the country and to me that’s
a great honour. The Olympic torch is part of a great Olympic tradition, of uniting and
binding the nation. When I hand over the torch to the next runner, it signifies the unity
and solidarity of the nation. And I hope that all of us will have that same thinking
– that we are part of a nation.
RC: What do you think is the impact, if any, of your participation on the
Filipino-Australian youth?
JR: I hope that my participation will
serve as an inspiration to the youth, that in whatever we do, we will reap our reward.
It’s true that when we serve the community, we do not expect rewards for our
services. But it’s certainly most welcome to know that the bigger and wider community
is recognising us. I think my participation will serve as a role model – that we as a
cultural group are now recognised as part of the wider community. And that is something
that all of us should be proud of.
RC: How much time have you spent preparing for this event?
JR: I run 1 km every day since I
received the advice from SOCOG in February this year. I’ve been running my designated
stretch of the relay for the last few weeks. So I know where I start and where I end.
Torch bearers are assigned 600 metres each. With my daily 1 km run, I think I should have
an extra 400 metres reserved energy.
RC: Any special message you want to tell our kababayans?
JR: I hope that our kababayans will see this event as an opportunity
for us to show what we can do and contribute to the Australian nation. The windows of
opportunity are now open for us. Let us show that we are part of the wider community. We
can most effectively create better and more opportunities if we as a community are united.
Additional info:
Penrith Torch Relay
Sunday, Sept 3, 6:30pm, Jamison Park, Penrith
Atty Relunia will carry the torch along Tench Reserve Pathway from
Jamison Road and finish at Blaikie Road on Jamison Road.
Sept 3, Sunday |
Torch arrives at Penrith |
| Sept 4. Monday |
Torch arrives at Bowral |
| Sept 5, Tuesday |
Torch arrives at Canberra |
| Sept 7, Thursday |
Torch arrives at Thredbo |
| Sept 8, Friday |
Torch arrives at Bega |
| Sept 9, Saturday |
Torch arrives at Northam |
| Sept 10, Sunday |
Torch arrives at Kiama |
| Sept 11, Monday |
Torch arrives at Cronulla |
| Sept 12, Tuesday |
Torch arrives at Parramatta |
| Sept 13, Wednesday |
Torch arrives at Gladesville |
| Sept 14, Thursday |
Torch arrives at Sydney Town Hall |
| Sept 15, Friday |
Opening Ceremony |
| Romy
Cayabyab is emanila.com's managing director. He is also a regular contributor to
Philippine community newspapers on Internet topics and the Philippine community. emanila
team |
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