22 May 2023, DARWIN – Vice Consul Angela Laurente of the Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra congratulated Father Andric Dean Taberdo, the first Filipino to be ordained as a Catholic priest in the Northern Territory and the first priest to be ordained in the Catholic Diocese of Darwin in three decades, in a meeting on 15 May 2023.

Vice Consul Laurente extended the personal greetings of Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega to Fr. Taberdo who is scheduled to be ordained at the St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral on 24 May 2023. Honorary Consul General John Rivas joined Vice Consul Laurente in the meeting with Fr. Taberdo who hails from a migrant family that settled in Darwin.

The Philippine Embassy joins the community in extending its heartfelt congratulations and well wishes to Father Taberdo as he embarks on this significant chapter of his religious journey.

The historic ordination of Fr. Taberdo as the Philippines-Australia Friendship Day is celebrated in the Philippines on 22 May highlights the vibrant and personal relations between the Philippines and Australia as well as the invaluable contributions of the Filipino community in Australia. More than 7,000 Filipinos reside in the Northern Territory. - END