Filipino music, arts, crafts and other products are now available at Westpoint Blacktown, a major shopping centre at Sydney's west.
The business called Cine Filipino, Musika atbp (Filipino movies, music and other products) opened last 27th of August 2011 and promises to be a possible one stop shop for Philippine made items and services.
Owners Wilfred and Maria Tua are inviting the FIlipino Australian community to visit their store located at Level two, shop 2055, opposite the car park near Angus and Coote Jewellers.
The grand opening was officiated by Fr. Dado Haber, Parish Priest of Sared Heart Catholic Church in Westmead. Fr. Haber blessed the simple festivities and promised to help promote the business as he stressed the importance of supporting Filipino made products.
Mrs. Tua said they have been operating a similar outlet outside Westpoint. But they have decided to move inside the busy shopping centre for more visibility and better accessibility for their customers.
Some of their products include Smart and Pasaload cards, phone cards, DVDs, CDs and clothing like jackets, t-shirts and even the traditional National costume for men, the "Barong Tagalog."
In fact, Mrs .Tua added that their best selling products seem to be the Philippine-made jackets for both men and women priced from $55. They represent the colours of the Philippine flag and the country's map is featured in some of the clothing items. They also come in various colours and designs. The cotton t-shirts are from $25.
The DVDs include classic or popular Filipino movies or the latest films produced, directed and starred in by mostly Filipino artists and craftsmen, often set in the Philippines. They are priced from $10 to $25 for the latest movies.
For the music lovers and karaoke afficionados, they have CDS, videoke and karaoke CDs and DVDs guaranteed for endless family entertainment.
Like many businesses, the shop also offers lay-by plans and accepts orders of items which are not available at the shop.
Co-owner Wilfred Tua also expressed optimism that the Filipino Australian conmunity as consumers will "continue to support their business and buy Filipino products as these will in turn help Filipinos in the Philippines."
Mrs. Tua also revealed future plans to include remittance and other services as part of their continuing effort to fill the needs of their consumers and loyal clients.
One of them is the Blacktown Council which they provide with DVDs, books and CDs for the various libraries in their local government area, according to Mrs. Tua.
They have quite an extensive collection of DVDs, many of which have English subtitles to the delight of this writer's partner. He has snapped a few of them at $40 for 3 DVDs. The English subtitles will be helpful to second generation Filipino Australians who can enjoy the movies which are often in the Filipino language.
The business started in Parramatta in 2008 but the owners decided to move to Blacktown which had a bigger Filipino Australian clientele a few years ago.
by MREA
