RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH Issue 97

RSL Angeles City Sub Branch Philippines

NEWSLETTER # 97 April 2015

WEBSITE: WWW.RSLANGELESCITY.COM FACEBOOK: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/RSLACITY

HAPPY 21ST ANNIVERSARY ANGELES CITY RSL SUB BRANCH 25 APRIL 1994 TO 25 APRIL 2015

President’s Report by James Curtis-Smith – Sub-Branch President President’s Report- April 2015 What a held a dawn service with muster dark of those already there memorable at Clark at 5am. As I travelled which in my mind, furthered the day !! in the dark to the cemetery, the significance and the solemnity traffic was very light, all was of the occasion. At dawn, our quiet, and my mind turned to service began and as it became thoughts of those Australians lighter I was able to look out and New Zealanders aboard over the crowd of at least 200 those long wooden boats persons assembled. The RAAF At our ANZAC day ferrying the troops to the shores contingent on parade, attending commemoration, Angeles City at ANZAC Cove, 100 years ago. in uniform with matching light Sub Branch returned a record The first to land was at 4.18am blue shirts of our Sub Branch attendance at both the service right about the time I was on my barong, the Australian at Clark Veterans Cemetery way. The darkness and peace commando unit in their jungle and also at the Swagman Hotel helped the depth of my greens in company with their and Resort following. For the thoughts. As I got to the US counterparts, members of first time for many years if not cemetery I heard the shuffling of the US veterans associations the first since our charter, we feet and muffled voices in the our blokes and their families, RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 97 2

and more (I set out below my the raffle, watching intently the that the Japanese anti-aircraft welcome list), and I felt proud direct telecast from Gallipoli of gun that downed the plane, was that it means so much to us now the dawn service there, the located at the site of the present to attend on such a day and sausage sizzle, the gorgeous Academy. Also present at the remember our veterans, of that waitresses at the Swagman service was the daughter of Sgt day 100 years ago, and of all who were intent to see that my James “Jim” Robert Robinson, conflicts since in which SML was never empty and one of the crew and who lost his Australia as a nation has been pouring compliment upon life in the downing of the plane. involved. I believe the dawn compliment upon me for I don’t Mrs Wendy Duke was 5 years of start helps us to prepare for the know what, and then the age when her father was killed. service that follows. magnificent magpies She was accompanied by her demolishing the bombers in the two sons. In addition, His Welcome list: AFL at the MCG, left me mellow Excellency Bill Tweddell, “JIM Call to Order: that I turned the beer off at Ambassador of Australia to the 4.00pm and made for home. Philippines, Bishop Arthur Deputy Head of Mission Jones, Anglican Bishop of Australian Embassy The whole day was very moving Forbes Park, Manila and Philippines, Dr. David Dutton, and more than once I removed Defence Attaché Colonel Bruce Representatives of other my glasses to wipe tears from Murray and Assistant Defence National Veterans Associations my eyes, and noticed many Attaché, Commander Chuck – The Special Forces other of us “tough” guys doing Connors were also present. Association, American Legion the same thing. Lest we forget. Post 123, FRA 367, Veterans of The site of the memorial is in a My thanks particularly to Vice sloping garden park near the Foreign Wars 2485, Vietnam President Gary Barnes who Veterans Association, Disabled main campus of the Academy, planned and coordinated the surrounded by trees and now a Veterans Association, Veterans day, Vice President Bob of Fraternal Order of Teufel gum tree planted by Mrs. Duke Barnes, Kooka, Secretary Phil on the occasion. The Under Hunden, Special Guests, Salmon and the many others including Commander Mark Secretary for Civil, Veterans who assisted in many different and Reserve Affairs of the Jarrett, RANR Australian capacities to ensure the National Command Ex Philippines Government also success of the day. My thanks present at the ceremony, and Balikatan. SQNLDR Travis to Ray and everybody at Hallen and his contingent from the President and staff of the Swagman (particularly the Academy gave undertakings for 92 WING, RAAF, MAJ Charles waitresses) for the big effort. Siedlecki and his contingent the continuing care and respect from the Marine On Thursday the 24th April for the monument. Corps, the contingent from 2 2015, I and eleven others of the Of special note is that Paul Commando Regt, Other Sub Branch were privileged to Baker, a member of this Sub Visitors, Members of the attend at the Maritime Academy Branch and formerly head of Returned & Services League of of Asia and the Pacific, at security at the Embassy in Australia Boys and Girls.” (2 hours by car south Manila, was the driving force west of Angeles) for the behind researching and Following the service and the dedication and unveiling of a move to Swagman for the obtaining the funding (including memorial plaque to from his own pocket) and commencement of traditional commemorate the service of ANZAC activity, the severity of arrangements for the the 9 crew members of a establishment of the memorial. early drinking (the first beer Catalina A24-64 of the RAAF, before 7.00am) with the gunfire and which was shot down and breakfast warmed me up (and I all crew lost over the mouth of suspect others) for the rest of on the 14th It is unfortunate that I must now the day. Following the two up, December 1944. It is believed turn from such matters as RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 97 3

precede, to a more serious member of the Committee and hand funds for any purpose matter. is certainly not appointed, associated with this Sub Branch authorised or holds any position to Dallas Drake or to any person In the last newsletter, a small in the Sub Branch other than as who cannot provide you with a advertisement was inserted by a service member. He is not receipt on the spot. Dallas Drake (a former entitled in any way at all to hold secretary of this Sub Branch), himself out as representing this announcing that Welfare Sub Branch. The Welfare and JAMES E. CURTIS-SMITH services were provided from his Pensions committee is chaired residence, and the welfare by Committee member Ian President. committee met on the second Albrecht who is a committee

Tuesday each month. This is member. not so. Dallas Drake is at the ______//______present time a service member Members of the public and of this Sub Branch. He is not a members are requested not to

ADVERTISEMENT . After the veteran refused to provide bank account details, he was promised a cheque would be sent. No payments of this nature Rodney Carslake (SA) are being made, and DVA will Douglas Johnstone (QLD) never ask for bank details Cherry Gerente (A/C) over the phone. Douglas Hinchliffe (NSW) Keith Wyatt (A/C) If you receive a call of this Edward Farren (A/C) type, do not provide any personal information. Jason Doyle (Mexico Phils) Darryl McCarty (VIC) If you need to check on John Costelloe (MNL) payments or make changes Anthony Hickie () to bank details, please Thomas Harnell (QLD) contact DVA on 133 254 or Richard Baker (NSW) from regional Australia free call 1800 555 254. ______//______//______SCAM ALERT Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) have advised veterans that they have been made aware of a possible scam where a veteran was contacted and told they were entitled to a sum of money as compensation for ‘cost of living expenses’. The veteran was asked for bank details so the money could be deposited. RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES Issue 97

ADVERTISING

RSL EVENTS SCHEDULE MAY 2015

Night Moves Club Raffle every Monday at 4:30 & 6:00PM.

Phillies Sports & Grill Raffle every Saturday at 6.00 PM.

MEDICAL MISSION EPZA near Marquee Mall Saturday 02 MAY 15 (see last page)

Tuesday 05 MAY 15 2.00 PM... COMMITTEE Meeting 2.00pm Social Tuesday Ponderosa 4.00pm SILLY HAT * GREEN BOTTLE * BLUE ROAR

Tuesday 12 MAY 15 2.00 PM WELFARE COMMITTEE 2.00pm Social Tuesday Ponderosa 4.00pm EMOTIONS * TOC * GENTLEMAN’S

Tuesday 19 MAY 15 2.00pm GENERAL MEETING 2.00pm Social Tuesday Ponderosa 4.00pm BOOMERANG HOTEL * BRASS KNOB * STAMPEDE

Tuesday 26 MAY 15 2.00pm Social Tuesday Ponderosa 4.00pm PONDEROSA

Check out our web site WWW.RSLANGELESCITY.COM or Facebook for details or Email [email protected] +639177956785

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 97 5

Another wheelchair recipient at last Medical Mission. L to R. Mother Ana, Tony Mamac, Lindsay Drury, Jim Curtis-Smith and Abel (Bong) Reyes with Nathan Romero jr, aged 3, and father Antonio in front. Little Nathan also had both hands in plaster when he was fitted for his wheelchair. Another family whose life is now a bit easier.

Member/WAG of the Month

Member/WAG of the Month ARTICLE IN THE SUNSTAR NEWSPAPER

Retirees hold medical mission in Angeles

City Sunday, April 12, 2015 By Reynaldo G. Navales

ANGELES CITY -- Close to 800 residents of Barangay Pulung Maragul and other villages here benefitted from the medical mission conducted by the Returned and Services League (RSL) of Australia.

Assorted medicines and vitamins for children and adults were distributed to the indigent patients.

Balibago Barangay Chairman Tony Mamac, coordinator and consultant of Angeles City RSL - Philippines, said that they also John Muggeridge distributed several wheelchairs to children with physical It’s great to have people like disabilities. John Muggeridge in any organisation. The organization conducted similar activities at Mawaque If a team member is away John will Resettlement Center, Mabalacat City last February and in put his hand up and take their place. Barangay Santa, Minalin town in March, according to Mamac. John managed the raffles at Phillies and Ponderosa in April while the Angeles City RSL president Jim Curtis led volunteer doctors and usual person was in Australia. other club officers during the medical mission. Johns’ pleasant nature and ability Mamac said the group is scheduled to conduct its next medical in public speaking, and organising mission at the EPZA resettlement center, also in Angeles City, raffles makes him a worthwhile next month. Member/WAG of the month of April.

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 97 6

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES (A RSL MEMBERS SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT)

Home Service

For the convenience of our clients, Hi-Precision ANGELES Diagnostics also offers home service for busy Contact Person: Sonia Muli executives or patients who prefer to have blood Contact No: (0922) 896-6726 / (0917) 579- extractions or other tests done at their specified 3210,(045) 322-2211, (045) 322-2111, (045) time and location. 624-6227 Here we offer an extensive line of tests which include the following: All laboratory Tests On-site Drug Screening Test McArthur Hi-Way Corner Angeles Magalang Road Angeles City Ultrasound Tel. No. (045) 322-2211 Medical X-Ray Sun cell (0922) 896-6724; (0922) 896-6726 Complete Urinalysis Office hours: 6:00AM - 4:00PM Mon to Sat ECG 6:00 am to 12:00nn Sundays 2D-Echo with Doppler (2DED) Stool Analysis Thanks, Alyssa Taroy

Our home service staff is composed of Hi-Precision Diagnostic Center, Inc. competent medical technologists and 440 - 442 W. Long Building Del Monte Ave cor. Biak-Na- technicians who are well trained in handling Bato, Bgy.Sienna, QC patient anxiety. Clients are assured that Tel. No.: 741-7777 medical examinations will be conducted with utmost quality, care and compassion. HPD now offers Credit Card payment for Home Service Customers! ______//______LOCAL IMMIGRATION ADVICE (REMINDER)

The Bureau of Immigration launched on 10 June 2013 the The maximum stay given to nationals under EO 408 is Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE) scheme to 36 months, while visa-required nationals are given 24 encourage tourist arrivals in the Philippines. Under the months. LSVVE: A new visa sticker will replace the wet stamp used by Foreign nationals can enjoy longer visa extension (six BI in implementing extensions of stay in the passports months) under a single transaction. of foreign nationals.

The visa costs ₱ 13,900 for visa-required nationals For further information & guidelines visit: and ₱ 11,500 for non-visa required nationals. http://www.philembassy.org.au/information-on-the-long- Foreign travellers can prolong their stay in PH without stay-visitor-visa-extension-scheme.html the need to frequently visit BI for processing of ______//______documents.

www.beyondtheblackstump.com RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 97 7

This is what we should have placed in last months newsletter, VALE to Gordon Smith, Queensland life subscriber #1759102 ex WW2 British Merchant Marine doing ammunition runs between England & France, aged 16 ex NZ. Gordon passed away recently in Angeles City Philippines aged 87. Known to many here as Swampy Jack. RIP Gordon

______//______

SOME PEOPLE WILL LIKE THIS NEWS the American Cancer Society. Every year, the WCRF examines all current liver-cancer Doc Eifrig: More great news for coffee research and publishes its final report on the drinkers findings. This year marks the first time that coffee has From Dr. David Eifrig, MD, MBA, editor, made an appearance in the report. Although Retirement Millionaire: the mechanism of action is unclear, coffee Your morning cup of joe has surprising reduces inflammation and protects against benefits… According to a new report from the heart disease. It also reduces dementia risk. World Cancer Research Fund, drinking just As I’ve written before, even your mortality risk one cup of coffee per day reduces your risk of drops with just two to three cups of coffee per day. developing liver cancer. So do what I do and enjoy your morning cups of In the U.S., 35,660 people receive a liver- medicine. Your brain – and your liver – will thank cancer diagnosis each year. The disease kills you. about 24,550 people each year, according to

DISCLAIMER

The Angeles City Sub-Branch of the R&SLA, the Committee and the Editor take no responsibilities for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies contained in this newsletter. Nor do they accept any liability for loss or damage suffered directly or indirectly for use of information contained in this newsletter. Nor do they warrant that articles or opinions published in this newsletter are necessarily the opinions held by the Sub-branch, the Committee or the Editor For those members not Australian and not ANZAC Australian and New Zealand Army familiar with abbreviations used in the Corps Presidents Report, here is a translation: AFL Australian Football League RANR Royal Australian Navy Reserve MCG Melbourne Cricket Ground SQNLDR Squadron Leader Two Up A basic form of gambling traditional to RAAF Royal Australian Air Force ANZAC Day (see pics later)

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 97 8

ANZAC DAY REPORTS

Our President has described the Sub Branch I will encourage members to watch a youtube video Commemorative service conducted last Saturday. It that was done by Howard McKay of the varied this year and conducted earlier due to this being commemorative service. Look on: the ANZAC Centenary. There is not much more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhVVJ1voo64 wording that can increase what Jim has said, so I will post some pictures taken at the Swagman Resort of the In the meantime, services were held all over Australia after service traditional ANZAC Day activities at the and I attended a tremendous service at my ‘now’ home end of this newsletter. town Hervey Bay Queensland, so here is a report I have taken from the Fraser Coast Chronicle newspaper:

MORE than 10,000 people attended Hervey Bay's Anzac Day march. About 2000 of those took part in the parade, which included representatives from the city's schools, RSL sub-branches and the Australian defence forces. Disabled war veterans were driven up Main St before the flag party, including members of the Australian Army, Air Force and Navy, leading the parade. Veterans from more recent conflicts, including Vietnam and Afghanistan, followed the RSL Pipe Band, which played throughout the march.

Australian Army Cadets, life savers and the Queensland The picture above only shows half of the new police were also part of the parade. memorial Hervey Bay RSL Sub Branch and the Fraser During the service wreaths were laid by Hervey Bay RSL Coast Regional Council built in 2014 specifically for Sub-Branch member John Beattie, Federal member for the Centenary of ANZAC. The second half mirrors that Hinkler Keith Pitt, Fraser Coast Mayor Gerard O'Connell, seen without the life sized Light-horseman monument. Lt Col Brad Smith and other members of the community. I was present at both dawn and main services. Ed

______//______

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 97 9

AUSTRALIAN FILIPINOS IN THE

Part 1 : John Lawrence Cubillo ended when he arrived in Korea (the armistice agreement had been signed on 27 July 1953) but 3RAR was involved in training and border patrols With the commemoration of Kapyong Day this month, it is worth noting that 3RAR veteran Laurie Cubillo (1934-2003) from Darwin was probably the only Filipino- The battalion returned to Australia in November 1954, but Laurie continued Australian to serve with the Australian forces in the Korean War. serving in Korea with the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) from 7 October 1954 to 19 August 1955. The battalion was again involved in training and The Cubillo family border patrols. Cubillo completed a total of 365 days’ service outside Australia.

The Cubillo family of Darwin is descended from Innocencio Cubillo, a Filipino- His service did not qualify for the two medals available at the time: the Korean War Spanish sail-maker from Calape on Bohol Island in the Visayas group. Medal recognised active service up to 27 July 1953, and the United Nations Service Medal (Korea) only recognised service up to 27 July 1954. However His son Antonio Pedro Cubillo (1875-1945) left home in 1890 as a 15 year old, Laurie Cubillo’s service is now eligible to be recognised by the Australian General came to Palmerston in January 1895, and worked as a pearl-diver under the Service Medal for Korea which was approved on 24 November 2009, rewarding Indentured Labour Scheme. Antonio married Magdelena (known as ‘Lily’) service in South Korea between 28 July 1953 and 19 April 1956. He would also McKeddie of the Larrakia people, and had a total of ten children, all essentially be eligible to receive the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 (approved in 1995) Larrakia but with typically Filipino names. with clasp ‘KOREA’.

During WW2, one of Antonio Cubillo’s sons – Juan (‘John’) Roque Cubillo (1906- The Armed Forces of the Philippines contributed five Battalion Combat Teams to 1942) – was killed on Darwin wharf on 19 February 1942, one served in the the international force in Korea in 1950-54 – these were known as the ‘Philippine American Merchant Service, and another served in the Australian Army Dental Expeditionary Force to Korea’ (PEFTOK). In addition, Australia also had a Corps. significant commitment to the Korean War. But Laurie Cubillo was probably the only Filipino-Australian to serve in Korea. Laurie Cubillo In Darwin, he worked with the NT Department of Transport and Works for over 40 years. Laurie died on 16 July 2003 leaving a widow Janet and seven children. The fifth child of Juan (John) and Louisa Cubillo was born at the Two Mile Dam in ‘Laurie Cubillo Park’ in Rosebery was registered by Palmerston City Council on the Stuart Park area on 4 September 1934. He was christened ‘John Lawrence 12 May 2004 in his memory. Cubillo’, but grew up known as ‘Laurie’. Paul A Rosenzweig As a young boy, Laurie was evacuated from Darwin with his mother Louisa and his siblings in February 1942: they were in camp in Katherine when they heard that their father had been killed on Darwin wharf. They lived in Balaklava, SA until [email protected] the end of the war. Louisa brought her children back to Darwin in 1946, and they re-established themselves in Sidney William huts within the old ‘Parap 118’ camp More info at: https://www.facebook.com/Thanks.Digger abandoned by the Army.

On 7 April 1971, ‘Cubillo Street’ in the Darwin suburb of Wanguri was named after Captions the widow of John Roque Cubillo, Mrs Louisa Cubillo, who had died in Darwin on 29 August 1967. Image 1: John Lawrence Cubillo (circled) with his mother Louisa Agatha Lee 7101 Private John Lawrence Cubillo Cubillo, and siblings. Laurie Cubillo served with the Australian Regular Army from 1952 to 1957, in the Royal Australian Army Service Corps. Image 2 This included overseas service with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Laurie Cubillo’s Certificate of Service for the Korean War. (3RAR) from 20 August 1954 to 7 October 1954. The fighting had essentially

Thanks Digger The ‘Thanks Digger’ Facebook page has been established as a tribute to all Australian Service personnel and others who have served in the defence of Australia and Australia’s interests. https://www.facebook.com/Thanks.Digger | [email protected]

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 97 10

Below is a request from a Vet to others with a similar interests in gardening. G’Day

I am a Vietnam Vet, living 220 k’s down the track from Darwin and I am interested in growing tropical food, if you have any members with similar interests I would like to swap ideas. All the very best to your members and keep up the good work, I have just returned from a trip to Vietnam and boy can they grow things (see attached photo) Regards Ken Robinson - Pine Creek – NT [email protected]]

MEDICAL MISSION SUNDAY 2 MAY 2015

I do not have a mud map for this Medical been to the MarQuee Mall. The EPZA where Mission. But I trust that everyone who will the mission is being conducted is very close to attend the mission as a volunteer will have the mall.

______//______

BIRTH CONTROL FOR GRANDMA

The doctor that had been seeing an 80-year-old woman for most of her "Yes, they help me sleep at night." life finally retired. "Mrs. Smith, I assure you there is absolutely NOTHING in these that At her next checkup, the new Doctor told her to bring a list of all the that could possibly help you sleep!" medicines that had been prescribed for her. She reached out and patted the young Doctor's knee...."Yes, dear, I As the young doctor was looking through these, his eyes grew wide as know that. But every morning, I grind one up and mix it in the glass of he realized Grandma had a prescription for birth control pills.. orange juice that my 16 year old Granddaughter drinks .. .And believe me, it definitely helps me sleep at night. " "Mrs. Smith, do you realize these are BIRTH CONTROL Pills? You gotta Love Grandmas RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 97 11

Swagman Narra Resort with the Two-Up carpet awaiting for victims VP Bob Barnes with a visiting RAAF Flight Sergeant

Visiting RAAF personnel swelled the ranks at and after the Service A smiling RAAF Warrant Officer with other happy participants

5 Peso coins make do for traditional pennies “COME IN – SPINNER” RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 97 12

President Jim offering a wooden Hewey up for auction Smiles all round, certainly was a happy place

Obviously looking to see what turned up at the two-up game Certainly was a sell out occasion

Another group enjoying the after service activities I can see Steve and Gary enjoying their mates company

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 97 13

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES | Issue 97 14

RSL ANGELES CITY SUB BRANCH PHILIPPINES Issue 97

Clubhouse: Ponderosa Hotel 1734 San Pablo St., Mt.View Balibago, Angeles City 2009, Philippines

President James Curtis-Smith Mobile: + 63-917-503-2602 Email: [email protected]

Vice Presidents Bob Barnes Gary Barnes Mobile: +63-928-145-6756 Mobile: +63-TBA Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

RSL Secretary Treasurer Angeles City Sub Branch Philippines Philip Salmon Ronald (Ron) Parrott Mobile: +63-9287424628 Mobile: +63-939-936-5939 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Quartermaster Editor ‘Kooka’ Larry Smith Email: [email protected]

“The price of liberty is eternal

vigilance” Lest We Forget