Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc.

Filipino -Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc. is a very generous organization helping a lot of Filipinos through scholarships attain their dreams and aspirations in life. I am a living witness of how this foundation is supporting and giving help to our less but deserving students in the University. I was a recipient of their prestigious award/scholarship during my 3rd year college taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Computer Science. That said amount of money was used in purchasing typewriter that helped me in working and finishing my research(thesis) to graduate the said course. Some amount was actually allotted for my personal and school allowances. The amount was really a significant help in finishing my college degree at Central Philippine University as Cum Laude and Most Outstanding Student Graduate of the College and Most Outstanding Work student in 2001. I am now a holder of the degree, Doctor of Education major in Educational management. My younger brother was also a recipient of the prestigious scholarship and he is now a teacher in the public school in Capiz, Philippines. At present, I am the Chair of the Professional Education subjects in the College of Education here at CPU. Thank you so much FAFQ Inc. May God bless you all! -MAREDIL R. AMBOS, EdD.

FAFQ is like a family to me. I feel at home at all FAFQ's gatherings, events and charity work. It's been a privilege having joined the group of FAFQ volunteers specially in 2016, 2017 and 2018 when my daughter Anika-Jovi joined the cultural pageant. Through this initiative, I felt closer to my fellow Filipino communities both here in Brisbane and the communities I got to know for the first time in my homeland, the Philippines. FAFQ is an excellent ambassador of goodwill specially to the disadvantaged sectors of our communities. I have witnessed this myself on many occasions as a FAFQ volunteer. FAFQ is also a forefront ambassador in encouraging the young Filipino-Australian to uphold good traditions that bind diverse cultures. I am grateful to FAFQ for having seeded appreciation of Filipino cultural heritage to my daughter and to all the Filipino Australians who crossed their path.

FAFQ is the hub of Filipinos in Queensland. Resources for newly arrived Filipinos as well as the well settled are made available there. Mauro and Cecilia and the rest of the foundation members are there to surely assist us in anyway that they can. Filipino community with a mission to help the needy. We are always hired by them with their videography needs on their festivals as well as their pageant programs. It was always a pleasure and a delight doing business with them. More power to FAFQ!

Looking at the charity’s mission gave me understanding of the organisation purpose.“To provide the best resources and conducive social environment for Filipino migrant”* Provide connectivity to Filipino migrants.* As a donor perspective FAFQ is a recognised charity organisation and registered deductible gift recipients charity. It provided confidence and trust as a donor, which the organisation had supported numerous educational projects both here and overseas (Philippines).* The organisation had thrive through voluntarism coming from diverse age groups . As a volunteer, I had first hand experience, this had enhance Team work, organisation skills, collaboration and cooperation. Encouraging Filipino-Australians understand the Filipino culture & heritage. Most of all unity among Filipinos and other ethnic communities.I feel confident that contributions and efforts of the organisation, kudos to the leadership and management.

I became aware of FAFQI's existence in January 2019 when I was seeking a Filipino community group that would be willing to auspice our community at our first ever attempt at a local community grant application. Our local community is known as the Filipino Community in Warwick and Surrounds (FCWS) based in the Southern Downs Region founded in July 2018.FCWS had merely been formed at the time and barely possessed the required funds to finance our first organized event - 'The Sayaw Festival.' Despite the setback, our group was keen and determined to hold the event in February 2019, and we thought of applying for a grant at our local council. Unfortunately, being a new un-incorporated association, we were ineligible to apply for the said grant. It was then that we started searching for a possible willing auspice. As we barely knew any contacts from other existing community groups then, I searched on the internet for groups that could auspice our community. From among the many organizations that came upon, I picked FAFQI and reached out to Sir Mauro. I introduced myself and explained my intention. Without apparent hesitation, noble Sir Mauro said yes to my direct request instantly. He was genuinely helpful and accommodating, and trusting considering I was a stranger to him asking for support. Sir Mauro undoubtedly made things easy for me with regards to the paperwork process of the application. Fortunately, our grant application was successful with the needed funds we justly applied.It was precisely from that direct and pleasant experience that I can confirm that FAFQI is living up to its mission of providing support to anyone that needs it; truly upholding the bayanihan spirit and Filipino values. I am immensely grateful for the help and encouragement from Sir Mauro and Ma'am Cecil. Their presence at our event was more than enough manifestation of their dedication, selfless service, and desire to support thriving Filipino community groups like ours. The massive success of 'The Sayaw Festival' was meaningful to us and we undoubtedly owe it to FAFQI, Sir Mauro and Ma'am Cecil. If not for their trust and support extended to our community, our event wouldn't have been made possible.The Filipino Community in Warwick and Surrounds will always be grateful to FAFQI for their support and contribution to our association and most of all for their friendship.Leleth SoronoPresidentFilipino Community in Warwick & Surrounds

Honestly, when I arrived here in Brisbane, I don't have any idea about Filipino organizations like FAFQ until I met Sir Mauro Somodio. I was an accountant back in the Philippines and I volunteered there for work when I lost my job during pandemic. It was a blessing because from that experience, Sir Mauro referred me to a company that landed me a job as a bookkeeper. Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc. (FAFQ) is one great organization that offers services for every Filipinos living here in Queensland. Thank you so much Sir Mauro and Ma'am Cecilia for the big help. Really much appreciated. If you have the time, please do visit the organization and have a look.

I'm one of the Fil-Aus Foundation Scholars and I'm so thankful and grateful to this foundation who sponsored and supported our scholarship during our college years. I'm so thankful also for it was really a great help for my financial assistance as a work student during my college years. This foundation scholarship has motivated, supported and inspired me a lot and I'm so thankful for that also. May you continue to help and inspired people especially the working students. More blessings to come to the Fil-Aus Foundation.

The world makes way for the one who knows where he is going." And the universe has answered this ardent prayer of mine through the Filipino-Australian Foundation Queensland Inc.The servant leadership and dynamism of Mauro and Cecilia Somodio have been instrumental in helping me achieve another professional milestone in life. They play a large part of my life's transition from the Philippines to Australia. It has been a meaningful journey thus far.My profound gratitude to FAFQ Inc for entrusting me the delivery of online language classes for adults that has been running for two terms aside from the face to face mode of learning for children.Truly

The Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland, Inc. (FAFQI) has grown in leaps and bounds since it was founded more than two decades ago. Not only has it succeeded in galvanizing an otherwise fractious Filipino-Australian community in Queensland into a cohesive charitable and civic organization. Most importantly, it has endowed so much opportunities to needy Filipinos through scholarships, grants-in-aid, and cultural enrichment programs.Through the years, FAFQI has faithfully provided annual support to scores of poor but deserving students in Philippines. Many of them had obtained their respective baccalaureate degrees, enabling them to get good employment, earn decent income, grow professionally, and extend “Pay it Forward” support to their siblings or to financially-challenged students.The officers and members of FAFQI deserve much accolade and appreciation for their sterling efforts in growing and expanding the organization’s mission, objectives, and special activities. While it started by sourcing funds for operations and projects through the generosity of its members and its annual pageantry, FAFQI is now a recipient of grants from the Government of Australia.FAFQI is a true embodiment of the “Bayanihan Spirit” of Filipinos. Wherever transplanted, this indomitable character resides in the hearts and minds of Filipinos: the drive to demonstrate communal unity, work, and cooperate for the attainment of a common goal. I am so grateful to have been part of FAFQI’s growth and development through my association with Mr Mauro Somodio (founding president) and Mrs Cecilia Somodio (incumbent president).

I am an IT professional under Student Visa here in Brisbane. Through its wide connections and good relations with the local businesses and professionals, FAFQ helped me land on my employer. Currently, I am the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Australian Power Corporation. I have volunteered myself to take part in the web development of the FAFQ community. Special mention to Sir Mauro Somodio (Founder) and Ma'am Cecilia J. Somodio (President) for your guidance and support.If you're a Filipino professional here in Queensland looking for a good network to jump-start your career, visit or contact FAFQ now.Thank you FAFQ. Pagpalain at mabuhay po kayo!