Queensland fetes Pinoy-Aussies on ‘Grandparents Day’

Filipino senior citizens took center stage recently during the celebration of “Grandparents Day” at St. Joseph College in Toowoomba City, Queensland, Australia.

Many of the honorees were likely good children themselves who would have wanted to show their appreciation to their elders. But there was no “Grandparents Day” when they were growing up to honor their grandmas and grandpas.

Today, children have a special day to dedicate their achievements to their grandparents.

Among the proud grandparents who attended the event were Roberto C. Garcia and his wife, Doris Picar of Pili, Camarines Sur.

“Doris and I are happy beyond words about our grandchildren’s achievements,” Bob said. “They are bright and active in extracurricular activities that earned them honors.”

Sisters Kara and Ava, in Grades 9 and 8, respectively, received Gold Awards for Academic Achievements for two terms.

“Both of them got more than seven A’s in their subjects,” Bob said. “They’re also student leaders and are successful in sports because of their parents’ support.”

Ava received a Coaches award from the Toowoomba Netball Association.

Kara and Ava have a younger sister, Mya, who is in grade 6 and her last year at St. Thomas More (STM). When she is seven years old, she will join her sisters and cousin Isaac at St. Joseph College, which offers grades 7 to 12. Kara, at 15, is the tallest of Bob’s grandchildren.

Although Catholic schools, STM and St Joseph College are known for challenging students regardless of faith, encouraging them to examine the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world, and their responsibility to others.

Kara, Ava, and Mya are the children of Kristen Fionula, Bob’s second daughter. She is a nurse at Toowoomba Hospital’s Alcohol and Other Services Department. She is married to Rodney Spain, co-principal of Our Lady of Southern Cross College in Dalby, which is part of the Toowoomba Catholic Diocese.

“Rodney travels 80 kilometers each way to work every day,” Bob said.

“Isaac, Grade 7, also received a Coaches award in soccer,” Bob said. “He’s only 13, but he’s as tall as I am.”

Isaac’s brothers, Jacob, 5, and Christian, are also doing well. They are student leaders. A fourth sibling, Charlotte Bella Grace, is four years old.

They are the children of Erika Larena, Bob’s eldest child and a nurse at St. Vincent Hospital. She is married to Christopher Wagner, who is training in Brisbane to be an emergency department specialist.

Erika works part-time at St. Vincent Hospital, a private facility because she looks after Bella, the youngest.

Bob and Doris sometimes alternate looking after their grandchildren if the parents are busy at work or away.

While still in the Philippines, Bob and Doris stayed in the family house in Sampaloc, Manila, with the girls attending the Montessori School. They moved to Down Under in 1984, bidding goodbye to Bob’s parents, Conrado and Catalina, and other relatives, as well as friends.

After working at different jobs, the husband and wife worked as a team to support the family. They briefly stayed in Millmerran but transferred to Toowoomba in 1982 to be nearer the learning institutions that their daughters could attend.

Kristen Fionula and Erika Larena have Nursing degrees from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). Gabrielle, who was born in Queensland, also attended USQ and has a degree in business administration.

Bob said life for him and his better half had been a roller-coaster ride, which toughened them up.

“We have seven good grandchildren who make our journey enjoyable and fulfilling,” he said.