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FILIPINO SCIENTISTS JOIN MARINE SCIENCE CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND

24 November 2014 –A 12-member delegation from the University of the Philippines (UP)  headed by Dr. Rhodora V. Azanza, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director for Institutional Linkages and Professor at the Marine Science Institute and officials from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) put the spotlight on Philippines’ active participation and sharing of learnings in the 16^th International Conference on Harmful Algae (ICHA 16) from  October 28 to November 01 in Wellington, New Zealand.

The delegates presented scholarly papers on a broad spectrum of studies on harmful algal blooms (HAB) and other related subjects. Professors and post-graduate students from the University of the Philippines, together with the PNRI, DOST, DA, NFRDI, engaged actively with the host organizers and international participants and extensively networked with delegates from New Zealand and other countries.

The Philippine Embassy Team warmly welcomed the delegates with Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez hosting a dinner in their honour at “Ang Bahay” (Ambassador’s residence) on October 29. It was a wonderful and enjoyable opportunity to learn more about the work of the Filipino scientists who are making distinctive contributions and enhancing the Philippines’ excellent reputation in marine science and related fields.

“It is a privilege for us at the Philippine Embassy to receive and take care of the UP delegation and meet the other officials who made our country and people proud during ICHA 16. Their presence, presentations and participation highlighted the Philippines’ impressive track record and experiences in various aspects of marine science and their areas of specialization,” Ambassador Benavidez stated.

Dr. Azanza thanked the Philippine Embassy for the warm hospitality and the “kindness that will be long remembered and cherished.” She is closely collaborating with Ambassador Benavidez for institutional tie-ups and faculty and student linkages between UP and universities in New Zealand.

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“FUSION OF CULTURES” HELD FOR A FILIPINO COMMUNITY CENTRE IN NEW ZEALAND 

21 November 2014 – The generosity of hearts and sharing of varied talents and creativity made it possible to hold an evening of great entertainment featuring the ethnic fusion of some of New Zealand’s leading performers on October 11.

What made the event extra special was the inspiring and dedicated efforts of the Bulwagan Foundation Trust, a Filipino community-based organization, together with their Maori friends Sharmane, Lesley, Nick, Tana and Maria from Exceptional Communications, to help in building a Filipino Community Centre (FilComm) in Wellington by putting together this celebration of music and dance. The proceeds of the event went to the FilComm project which in the words of Bulwagan Trust Chairperson Flora Muriel Nogoy is envisioned to be “a place of belonging and learning for all people and more importantly, a heritage of the next generation of Kiwi-Filipinos.”

With the theme “Music, Culture, Community,” outstanding performances were rendered by FilCoro (Filipino Chorus) with their much-applauded repertoire of popular, sacred music, spiritual, jazz, Filipino folk songs and OPM. The impressive line-up included Tomorrow People, a dazzling reggae band dubbed as Wellington’s biggest success story; 50/50 Dance Crew, a finalist at the New Zealand Got Talent bringing Bollywood-bhangara-hip hop fusion to the stage; and The Noodles, Wellington’s busiest professional cover band playing several times a week and pleasing crowds around New Zealand’s top night spots.

The spotlight on FilCoro, Tomorrow People, 50/50 Dance Crew and the Noodles brought much joy, pride and enthusiasm. The dream of a Filipino Community Centre continues to grow as the Bulwagan Foundation Trust, Exceptional Communications, friends from New Zealand and the other countries, the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community join hands and hearts to make this a reality.

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MORE FILIPINOS IN AUCKLAND BENEFIT FROM LEGAL ORIENTATION SEMINAR

21 November 2014 – In line with the continuing priority of the Philippine Embassy in Wellington and the office of the Philippine Honorary Consul General in Auckland to engage with the Filipino community throughout New Zealand, Philippine Honorary Consul General Paulo Garcia and Atty. Gene Bagsic organized a Legal Orientation Seminar on November 09 at the Three Kings School in Auckland to promote greater understanding and knowledge of New Zealand’s laws, procedures and requirements among Filipinos. The members of the Day by Day Christian Ministry, led by Pastor Mervyn Abulencia, benefited from the Legal Orientation Seminar.

Similar to the previous Legal Orientation Seminars, this provided Filipinos with useful, relevant
and up-to-date information on New Zealand law, including immigration, wills, enduring powers of attorney, trusts, relationship property, dealing with the police and courts, settlement support services and program for keeping ethnic communities and other areas that impact on their lives as migrants, workers or students. It was also a good opportunity to interact with the speakers to address concerns and issues for more effective settlement and better integration in New Zealand.

Participants to the Legal Orientation Seminars in Auckland reiterated their deep appreciation for the highly successful and very informative event. With the increasing requests from the participants and other Filipinos to hold a similar event, the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate General will organize another seminar for the benefit of Filipinos in other parts in the North and South Islands, in cooperation with the respective Filipino organizations and groups in those areas.

To date, the Philippine Embassy in Wellington and the office of the Philippine Honorary Consul General in Auckland have conducted eight Legal Orientation Seminars for the benefit and well-being of the members of the Filipino community in the North and South Islands.

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PHL AMBASSADOR TO NEW ZEALAND MEETS WITH FILIPINO FARMERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

21 November 2014 – It was a very interesting, insightful and interactive morning of November 13 when the President of the newly-formed North Island Filipino Farmers Association (NIFFA) Harvey Cabug and Mr. Rustan Talampas called on Philippine Ambassador to Nea Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez at the Philippine Embassy in Wellington.

Mr. Cabug invited Ambassador Benavidez to grace the Association’s formal oath-taking of its officers and Christmas gathering next month and conveyed NIFFA’s readiness to assist and support the Embassy’s programs for the welfare and well-being of Filipinos in the North Island. For her part, Ambassador Benavidez informed Mr. Cabug and Mr. Talampas that the Philippine Embassy would be conducting its first mobile consular services and Legal Orientation Seminar for 2015 for the benefit of Filipinos in Tokoroa and the adjacent areas in the North Island in January next year..

The two men talked about their experiences in the dairy sector in New Zealand and their training in the Philippines with the Batangas Christian Dairy Foundation, Inc. of Pastor Roger Alcantara. Mr. Cabug also described the dairy farms and practices at the Almarai in Saudi Arabia and other aspects of the work and lives of Filipino dairy and agricultural farmers in the Waikato region. Ambassador Benavidez advised them to network with relevant agencies and authorities in New Zealand and their counterpart Filipino organizations such as the Filipino Dairy Workers in New Zealand, groups and individuals in the dairy and agriculture sectors in the South Island.

Ambassador Benavidez extended the Philippine Embassy’s congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Cabug and NIFFA officers and members as they carry out their organization’s mission and vision. “The vital contributions and services of the Filipinos in the farms are distinctly acknowledged and deeply appreciated by the leaders and people of New Zealand and the Philippines,” she stated.