In August of 2001, Roy & Dolly Ramirez prepared a proposal for the project - "The Rondalla - a Filipino String Band". The project proposal was successful and ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope awarded the grant in a simple ceremony held at the Gorman House at Civic, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in December 2001. In February 2002, Roy & Dolly travelled to the Philippines to buy the instruments, equipment, and costumes.

By late March 2002, the Rondanihan ensemble was born. Ur Bala, Araceli Obnamia, and Roy & Dolly Ramirez provided basic training to those wishing to play the instruments of the rondalla while waiting for a rondalla teacher from the Philippines. The prospect of an overseas trainer became bleak as the months progressed. The rondalla committee coordinated with friend, Professor Ric Calubayan, through emails and overseas calls on how to teach and conduct a rondalla ensemble. In the months following, Roy stood as the trainer-conductor. With a lot of determination, all the instrumentalists persevered for their maiden performance held on September 15, 2002. A series of performances followed, show casing traditional Filipino music at various events such as the Floriade, National Gospel Happening, Sydney Filipino Fiesta, South Coast Filipino Fiesta, and others. The project concluded in December 2002. The birth of a new organisation, Rondanihan Incorporated, headed by Roy Ramirez, ensured the rondalla music's continuance. The group comprised most instrumentalists from the two previous ensembles, volunteer members, and friends who vowed their commitment, and support to propagate, preserve, and present the Filipino communities’ cultural musical heritage to the Canberra and surrounding regions.

The start of 2003 saw numerous requests to play our music at multicultural events, festivals, concerts, diplomatic events, wedding functions, and other varied celebrations, and functions. We also played at nursing homes, schools, and malls as part of our out-reach program to the community. In June 2003, the organisation was awarded a funding from the Foundation of Young Australians for the project "Youth MusiConnect" which aims to promote Rondanihan's youth participation and involvement in the larger community through a series of seminars, workshops, and forum. Rondanihan continues to enhance and upgrade their music skills through their rondalla arranger and mentor from overseas, Ric Calubayan. He came for a visit and was able to assess our skills and abilities. He formed an adult choir and children’s choir in time for our annual concert held last August 15, 2003 at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, in Canberra, Australia. Rondanihan was also a recipient of the “Volunteer Small Equipment Grant” from the Australian Government Department of Family and Community Services. The grant is to provide funding to assist community organisations, which directly support Australia’s volunteers, carry on with their vital work.

In February 2004, the Rondanihan ensemble participated in the 1^st International Rondalla Festival held in the Bicol Region of the Philippines upon an invitation from the Philippine Government’s National Commission for Culture and Arts thru the Philippine Embassy in Canberra. We also performed at the National Folk Festival held in Canberra during the Easter season; the Moon Festival in Tuggeranong, Canberra, the Multicultural Mass celebration at St Christopher Cathedral at Pentecost, and at other venues.