Filipino News Waitangi 2018

1Number
#1 FILIPINO COMMUNITY PAPER SINCE 2000
Two Editions Fortnightly : NZ wide & South Island.
Print. Web. Tablet. Mobile. FB. YouTube.
Vol 8 No 111
WAITANGI DAY
North
and
South
Island
W: www.filipinonews.nz, www.pinoynzlife.nz | E: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | M: 027 495 8477 P: 09 838 1221 | F: Filipino Migrant News
Rotorua’s
thermal wonders
wow Pinoys in PH
pg 03
pg 02
TE TIRITI O
WAITANGI
pg 04
$23,000
HOSPITAL BILL
pg 05
A PINOY TO BE
PROUD OF
pgs 08
WHAT, YOU’RE
STILL SINGLE?

02 WAITANGI DAY 2018 ISSUE 111 | www.filipinonews.nz : pinoynzlfie.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | ADVERTISING: 027 495 8477
The Treaty and the History belong to us
By PRIYANCA
RADHAKRISHNAN
Photo credit:
www.travelgalore.nz
Waitangi Day continues
to fascinate me as much
today as it did when I first
moved to Aotearoa New
Zealand and started learning
about this nation's history.
It is an opportunity to
reflect and take stock of the
Crown's relationship with
the Maori and think about
where we are headed as a
nation.
For me it is an opportunity
to reflect where migrant
and ethnic communities fit
into the social fabric of our
Nation.
In 2016 I had the privilege
of joining the Labour
Party team at Te Tii
Marae for the Political Day
that precedes Waitangi
Day. It was a special experience.
Waitangi, in the Bay of
Islands, is a beautiful place.
Unfortunately, when we
were there for the Political
Day 2016 it was bucketing
down with rain. We stood
for about an hour in the rain
waiting to be welcomed
onto Te Tii Marae.
Amazing Vibe
Waitangi has an especially
amazing vibe during
Waitangi Day celebrations.
The Treaty grounds are
Maori Fashion @
3rd Maginoo at Binibining
Filipino News Cultural Pageant 2015
taken over by about 150
stalls.
It was a convivial event
with music, laughter and
children playing.
I was pleasantly surprised,
because all the
media reports that I had
read about Waitangi
focused on the protests and
the sometimes hostile treatment
of politicians on the
Marae.
It was a surreal experience
to be in that place on a
day that holds such historical
and political significance
for New Zealand.
I feel very strongly that
we have a responsibility as
migrants to learn New
Zealand's history and
understand the place that
the tangata whenua occupies
in that history. For too
long now there has been a
struggle between biculturalism
and multiculturalism.
Conflicting ideas
Some people consider
biculturalism to be restrictive,
because it excludes
ethnic communities. Others
consider multiculturalism
to be a threat to the bicultural
framework within
which New Zealand operates.
They are concerned about
the effect of multiculturalism
on the status accorded
to the tangata
whenua, the
people of the
land.
I believe that
we need both.
As popular
Public Lawyer
Mai Chen said.
“We need to
start talking
about multiculturalism
on a
bicultural
base.”
T h e
Treaty
I learnt about
Te Tiriti O
Waitangi relatively
recently.
It was when I
was studying a
paper that dealt
with the issue of race-relations
that I learnt about its
two different versions; the
original in Te Reo Maori
and the other translation in
English and the way that it
has shaped Pakeha-Maori
relations.
I learnt about the land
wars and confiscation; the
struggle that Maori went
through to preserve Te Reo
Maori and their culture.
It was then that I started
to understand the Treaty
settlement process and the
protests on Waitangi Day.
A public meeting that I
attended recently in Pt.
England highlighted the
importance of learning
Maori history.
The meeting was called
to hear the views of residents
on a government Bill
that would enable the sale
of a third of the Pt. England
Reserve to Ngati Paoa as
part of their Treaty settlement
process.
There were various
views expressed,
both for and against
the sale of the land.
However, there
were a couple of
questions that led me
to realise that there
was a need for more
education around the
Treaty settlement and
negotiation process -
why it is happening
and what it entails.
As New Zealanders,
we are all in this
together.
As migrants, Aotearoa's
history has become ours.
The onus is on us to find
out about the historical
injustices and to understand
the attempts being made to
VISITING THE TREATY GROUNDS:
Filipino Migrant News would like to thank Copthorne Hotel and
Resort Bay of Islands for hosting our accommodation.
www.millenniumhotels.com
address those wrongs.
Naku te rourou nau te
rourou ka ora ai te iwi.
With your basket and my
basket the people will live.
Editor: Priyanca Radhakrishnan
is a Labour
Member of Parliament.
A day we appreciate and celebrate with the Maori ...
Many migrants are aware
of Waitangi Day and the
debate centred around it.
Filipino-Kiwi Laddie
Lou Corpus said: “Waitangi
Day is New Zealand Day. It
was the time that the Maori
signed a treaty that opened
their country to immigrants.
A day we appreciate and celebrate.”
Hilary Martin Patrao
from India said: “l know that
they (the Maori) were the
first migrants to the country
and they are the people who
were uprooted because of
the cultures that came after
that.
“I feel that we should
learn Maori culture when we
are in the country and make
our lives easy.”
Somalian Fadumo Abdul-Kadir
Ahmed said: “I
heard that it is the day on
which the white people and
the Maori people signed for
peace. Most people are
happy (about it), but some
people are still talking about
it. They go to the (Waitangi)
house for a celebration to
remember that day.”
Jun Zhou, a Chinese
immigrant, said: “I’ve heard
of it. I don’t know the date. I
know that the Maori and the
Europeans signed a document
about peace in New
Zealand.”
One man from Kosova,
Vullnet Abdyli, has visited
Waitangi in Northland. “I’ve
been to the Bay of Islands
and seen the house where
they signed the document …
“I watch the TV news
every day and see them trying
to work things out. The
Maoris think that the
Europeans cheated them.
But the Maoris have benefitted
from the Europeans
coming here.”
www.migrantnews.nz

WAITANGI DAY 2018 ISSUE 111 | www.filipinonews.nz : www.pinoynzlife.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | ADVTG tel: 027 495 8477 03
MANILA - More
than 1.5 million
Filipinos tuned in to
watch a recent episode
of a popular television
programme
Rotorua’s thermal
wonders wow
Filipinos
LAKE ROTORUA is an idyllic
place to watch the sun come up.
Photo Credit: Mark Smith
showcasing Maori
culture and Rotorua’s
geothermal wonders.
The crew from
award-winning documentary
show I-
Witness visited Rotorua
in November
2017 to film the indepth
episode titled
Biyaya ng Bulka
(Blessing of the Volcano).
They were
supported by Tourism
New Zealand.
The episode is the
first of a two-part
series airing at prime
time on Saturday
evenings. It featured
popular tourist attractions
such as Te Puia
Geothermal Valley
and Hell’s Gate and has so
far generated an estimated
advertising value of $2.2
million.
The second episode was
filmed in Taranaki, where
the crew completed the
Pouakai Crossing.
Tourism New Zealand’s
Regional Manager for South
and South East Asia, Steven
Dixon, says that the organisation
has seen positive
growth in the number of visitor
arrivals from the
Philippines since it entered
the market in 2016.
“Although the Philippines
is still a relatively new market
for us it is already generating
strong results.
“In the year ending
November 2017 23,424 Filipinos
visited New Zealand,
an increase of 18.2 percent
on the previous year. Of
these, 8320 were holiday
visitors, an increase of 12.1
percent.
“Working with a high-performing
broadcast such as I-
Witness provides us with an
opportunity to showcase
New Zealand to a large audience
to get more Filipinos
dreaming of a New Zealand
holiday.”
I-Witness is the Philippines’
longest running and
most awarded television
documentary programme. It
has been around for 16 years
and has won various major
international awards —
including two of the four
prestigious George Foster
Peabody Awards bestowed
on the Philippines, with one
awarded to host Kara David.
The programme also has a
strong social media presence
with 1.089 million followers
on Facebook, and 901k subscribers
on YouTube - where
the episode has been viewed
352k times.
Since Tourism New
Zealand entered the
Philippines two years ago
there has been a significant
increase in air capacity
between the two countries.
“We entered the
market to coincide
with the launch of
Philippine Airlines’
service to Auckland
via Cairns,” says
Steven.
“Since then, Philippine
Airlines has
replaced this route
with a three times a
week direct service
from Manila to
Auckland, providing a
60 percent increase in
seat capacity and
reducing flight time by
2.5 hours.
“With New Zealand
now more accessible
from the Philippines
than ever before I am
confident that we will
continue to see visitor
numbers from the
country increasing.”
In 2018-19 Tourism New
Zealand will be increasing
its presence in the
Philippines through joint
venture partnerships with
travel agents, joint venture
tactical marketing campaigns
and broader public
relations activity.

BUHAY
NZ
04 WAITANGI DAY 2018 ISSUE 111 | www.filipinonews.nz : pinoynzlfie.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | ADVERTISING: 027 495 8477
OFW File:
A whopping $23,000 hospital bill
– but no travel insurance
Attracted by work opportunities in the
booming construction industry, Cesar
Arqueza, 41, came to Auckland in
October last year on a one-year work
visa. Six weeks after his arrival he landed
in hospital for an operation and
received a $23,000 medical bill. He had
no health insurance to cover this debt.
Cesar supports a young family in the
Philippines - a wife and three children
aged 20, 16 and a one-and-a-half year
old (toddler).
He said that he was in two minds
about coming over because he could not
bear to leave his wife behind as she was
fighting her own battle with breast cancer.
However, by working overseas he
could earn a lot more and better the life
of his family - just like millions of other
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Heal Cesar
AUCKLAND – Early in the New Year
we received this private message on our
Facebook page: “Hi, Cesar has no family
in New Zealand, would someone be
kind enough to post this on Facebook to
support Cesar or pass this on. Bless
you.”
A link was provided to the ‘givealittle’
website - https://givealittle.co.nz/
(please search for Cesar Arqueza). It
showed the photograph of a man in a
hospital gown with three bandages on
his tummy. The appeal read: “Cesar
has a $23,000 hospital bill, but no travel
insurance. His weekly payment plan
to Auckland District Health Board is
the minimum, but leaves him with
nothing to support his family and pay
off his loan with.”
The ‘givealittle’ page was put up by
Barbara Brooks, the payroll administrator
for a small construction business
that employs Cesar Arqueza.
According to her, Cesar was already
over committed before going into hospital.
“With $2,300 a month from his
wages being sent back to the
Philippines for his loan repayments,
school fees and family living expenses, I
was already concerned how Cesar was
going to cope, and now this?
“I feel so bad for Cesar. After only 6
weeks in New Zealand on a one-year
work visa (he is here to support his
young family back in the Philippines), he
ended up in Auckland Hospital due to
gallstones. After spending 7 days in a
surgical ward, with three operations
and an MRI scan he had his gall bladder
removed and must now pay
$23,000.
“Cesar arrived in Auckland from the
Philippines just 10 weeks before being
hospitalized. He had a healthy medical
clearance but sadly no travel/health
insurance for the unexpected. And the
unexpected happened – gall stones!
“Cesar is such a gentle soul, who is
gravely concerned for his family’s
future and children's education. His
decision to borrow $6,000 to come to
New Zealand to make a difference for
his family has left him in more debt
than he could ever imagine.
“The goal is to pay as much of
Cesar's hospital fees as possible, so he
can continue to use his wages to support
his family and pay off his loan.”
AUCKLAND - Cesar Arqueza,
41, from Isabela in
the Philippines, was working
as a construction worker in
Abu Dhabi when he heard
that New Zealand was seeking
construction workers.
In January 2016, when he
returned to the Philippines
at the completion of his contract,
he started contacting
several agencies that were
hiring construction
workers for
New Zealand.
He wasn’t
successful at
first because of
language difficulties.
As he
showed sheer
determination
to make it to
New Zealand, a
recruitment
agency lined up
Skype interviews
for him
with employers
in New Zealand.
Although
he couldn’t
communicate
well in English,
one employer
liked him and
offered him a
job as he had
the requisite skills.
The plan was to secure a 2-
year work visa, but Immigration
New Zealand only
granted him a one-year visa.
On top of that, there was a
substantial cost to the whole
exercise - about $6,000
(P180,000) for the expenses
incurred to apply for his job.
Lacking any savings, he was
forced to borrow that
money.
Finally, on 22nd October
2017 he landed in Auckland
with his bags and great
hopes for the future. At first
things went pretty well. He
had a very compassionate
employer and a good job
that paid well - enough to
send money to the Philippines
for his family and to
drip-feed his debt repayments.
December 4, 2017, seemed
to be just another day for
Cesar. “I felt some discomfort,
but I thought it was just
my usual bloated tummy
problem. I ignored it and
went to work as usual.
“But late in the afternoon
I was getting weaker and
weaker. My employer
realised that something was
wrong and offered to take
me to the hospital. I said that
it would be alright once I got
home and drank a hot cup of
coffee.
“Unfortunately, in the
evening my stomach pain
got worse and it became
unbearable. Luckily my
roommate, who also happened
to be my workmate,
knew someone who could
drive us to the hospital.
“After a medical examination
the doctor said that it
was a gall stone that was
causing the agonizing pain.
They had to operate to
remove my gall bladder.
“I knew that I wasn’t entitled
to free health care and
that this procedure would
cost a lot of money. Plus I
had to pay cash for the operation.
I told the doctor about
my financial predicament
and asked if he could prescribe
medicines that would
bring some relief.
“But the doctor said that I
needed the surgery and not
to worry about the money
for now. ‘Think of your
health and safety first. We
really need to do this surgery.’
“A social worker visited
me to find out how I was
Cesar supports a young family in the Philippines - a wife and three children aged 20, 16
and a one-and-a-half year old (toddler).
doing and asked if I had
insurance. I was asked not to
worry too much, because in
New Zealand there is financial
assistance available. I
could pay the money back on
an installment plan. My
employer was kind enough
to arrange this for me.
“After the operation I was
really thankful - especially to
my employer. Even though I
was unlucky in the health
area I am lucky in other
ways.”
FMN: Do you regret coming
to New Zealand?
CESAR: I believe that this
is only one of the trials I will
face. I am just very lucky to
be here.
I’m also thankful that this
happened here and not in
the Philippines. I don’t know
what would have happened
to me back home.
It was unexpected. I had
my medicals checked before
I left the Philippines.
FMN: Didn’t the recruitment
agent advise you about
taking out Health Insurance
before coming over?
CESAR: I believed that I
was entitled to free health
services. When I
was about to leave
the agency explained
to me that
as I only got a
one-year visa I
was not entitled to
free health services
in New Zealand.
FMN: What do
you feel about the
fact that now,
instead of earning
money to support
your family back
home, you are
confronted with a
huge debt that
has to be repaid?
CESAR: At the
end of the day
what’s important
is that I’m getting
better and soon
I’ll be back to work. I pray
that I will be in a position to
pay off all my debts. What
I’m really worried about is
how I will be able to repay
everyone that has come forward
to help me. I thank
God for the kindness you’ve
showered on me. Thank you.
Cesar added that he is
very grateful to his compassionate
employer who assisted
him in every way - including
setting up the ‘givealittle’
fundraising page and
attending to his needs when
he was in hospital.
Please search for cesar
arqueza at https://givealittle
.co.nz/

WAITANGI DAY 2018 ISSUE 111 | www.filipinonews.nz : www.pinoynzlife.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | ADVTG tel: 027 495 8477 05
BUHAY OVERSEAS
O P I N I O N
B y L o u i e E n c a b o
Ambra Batillana Gutierrez
Instagram photo.
Ambra Gutierrez first made headlines in 2015
when she accused Harvey Weinstein, a powerful
media mogul, of sexually assaulting her.
Each time an individual
of Filipino descent
achieves success on the
global stage, expect a
vociferous assertion of
pride from the rest of the
community. Without fail,
the wider Filipino population
will bask in the limelight
of a single compatriot’s
triumph with jubilant
exaltations that they are
“proud to be Pinoy”.
Fair enough, if the tradition
of nationhood dictates
a shared struggle
among the members of
that nation then it should
also imply a sharing of
exploits.
If Manny Pacquiao is
crowned victorious in the
international arena, the
entire Philippine nation
shares in his glory as
though they were members
of his support team.
Filipinos are proud of
almost everything their
compatriots succeed in
that is of relevance to the
rest of the global community,
whether it be beauty
A Pinoy to be
proud of.
pageants, boxing matches
or singing competitions,
provided that the
endeavour is mentioned
in global media. There is
nothing wrong in doing
so, these exploits are
substantial, but we must
also be cognizant that
achievements transcend
vocal prowess or athletic
ability.
There is an individual
of Filipino-descent who
has caught the attention
of the international
media, but sadly has not
achieved the same attention
from the community
as Pia Wurtzbach did
when she clinched the
Miss Universe pageant
title. Her name is Ambra
Batillana Gutierrez, a
Filipino-Italian model
who has championed
women’s empowerment
outside of beauty competitions.
Gutierrez first made
headlines in 2015 when
she accused Harvey
Weinstein, a powerful
media mogul, of sexually
assaulting her.
The latter is best known
to be the brains behind
the Miramax film studio
and later, The Weinstein
Company, which produced
blockbuster hits
such as Inglourious
Basterds and The King’s
Speech. He is widely
known as one of the elites
of American society, with
his stature in Hollywood
as well as his significant
links in the political
realm, being a long-time
patron of the Democratic
Party.
Hence, when the accusations
against him came to
light in 2015 Weinstein
was vehemently defended
by the tabloid press, who
disparaged Gutierrez as
an opportunist instead.
..... continues on page 6
Louie Encabo is an award
winning journalist (Filipino-
Kiwi Hero Award 2014)

06 WAITANGI DAY 2018 ISSUE 111 | www.filipinonews.nz : pinoynzlfie.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | ADVERTISING: 027 495 8477
BUHAY OVERSEAS
A PINOY
TO BE PROUD OF
..... continues from page 5
Even the Manhattan District
Attorney’s office refused to prosecute
the businessman, citing a lack
of evidence even though the New
York Police District recommended
pressing charges against him.
The Filipino-Italian model
would remain defiant in her pursuit
of justice amidst all her
detractors and set up a meeting
with Weinstein equipped by the
NYPD with an audio recorder to
catch him in the act. The recording
was published by the New
Yorker, which exposed the latter
coercing Gutierrez to perform
sexual acts while also admitting to
physically harassing her during
their previous encounter.
The revelation sparked a revolution
in the entertainment industry;
since then almost a hundred
other women have come forward
to reveal similar experiences with
Weinstein. Many were aspiring
actresses at one point who
approached the latter for a role in
his movies only to find themselves
sexually assaulted by him; their
silence was bought with his promise
of landing a career in
Hollywood. Several of these victims
are now big-name stars in the
industry, such as Gwyneth
Paltrow, Cara Develigne and
Angelina Jolie.
It also exposed a web of coddlers
that attempted to protect
Weinstein throughout the whole
saga, including members of the
press and of the entertainment
industry. The deceit of the DA’s
office was revealed, which
explained the lack of urgency to
prosecute the media mogul in the
first place. When the evidence
came to light Weinstein’s most
powerful allies such as former
president Barack Obama and
Hillary Clinton came out condemning
him.
Gutierrez’s bravery toppled the
elitism of a man as powerful as
Harvey Weinstein, who at one
point was considered 'untouchable',
given his powerful ties and
how he made his past victims suppress
any objections they had
regarding his treatment of them.
Even individuals as influential as
Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth
Paltrow were tight-lipped of their
experiences with him, emboldened
only by the courage of one Ambra
Gutierrez to come forward first.
The reluctance of the other
women victimized by Weinstein
highlights the prevalent rape culture
present in the entertainment
industry; a 'casting couch' tradition
that preys on desperate individuals
aspiring to a career in
Hollywood one day. This makes
Gutierrez’s deed all the more
praiseworthy, since submitting to
the desires of the media mogul
would have helped further her
career.
What she did instead empowered
women more than any beauty
pageant victory ever could. The
heavyweight she brought down
was more intimidating than anyone
any boxing superstar could
ever come to face. Her heroism
has been widely acclaimed by the
global community, as it should,
which is why the Filipino community
needs to recognize what she
has done and commend her
accordingly.
Singers are rightfully admired
for their inborn talent and beauty
queens are understandably
adored for winning the genetic lottery,
but in an age of consumerism
and a culture obsessed with outward
beauty the courage to buck
the trend and reject the opportunity
for material gain is a deed
worthy of our praise. What
Ambra Batillana Gutierrez did
was nothing short of heroic; she is
deserving of our collective 'Pinoy
pride'.
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Philippine Embassy
WAITANGI DAY 2018 ISSUE 111 | www.filipinonews.nz : www.pinoynzlife.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | tel: 027 495 8477 07
BUHAY
NZ
121st ANNIVERSARY OF THE
MARYTRDOM OF DR. JOSE P. RIZAL
WELLINGTON – To
bring consular services closer
to Pinoys, outreach missions,
including the registration of
overseas Filipino voters, will
be conducted in the following
areas throughout the year
(subject to final confirmation):
15-19 February, Auckland,
9am-6pm at the
Community Action Centre,
766 Sandringham Road
Extension, Mt Roskill.
For the consular services in
Auckland, appointments can
be made online through:
http://philembassynzl.
appointy.com
March, South Island
April, Tauranga
May, South Island
August, Auckland
Consular Services
September, South Island
October, Rotorua
November, South Island
The consular services are
as follows:
• passport issuance/renewal/replacement
• civil registration, i.e.
reports of births and marriages
• authentication and notarisation
of legal documents
• NBI fingerprinting and
certification (recent passportsized
photos required)
• Philippine citizenship
retention/reacquisition and
administering of the oath of
allegiance
• overseas voting registration
Registration of overseas
Filipino voters for the 13
May 2019 National Elections
and subsequent elections is
still ongoing until 30
September 2018.
All citizens of the
Philippines, who are abroad
or will be abroad during the
30-day voting period, commencing
on 13 April 2019
(Philippine time), who are at
least 18 years of age on the
day of the elections and are
not otherwise disqualified by
law may register.
Please note: Consular
Appointment System
In order to deliver more
effective and efficient consular
services the Philippine
Embassy has implemented an
online appointment system
(no walk-in policy).
WELLINGTON -
Ambassador Jesus S.
Domingo led the officers,
staff and families of
the Embassy of the
Philippines in Wellington,
New Zealand, in
commemorating the
121st Anniversary of the
Martyrdom of Dr. Jose P.
Rizal at the Embassy
Chancery on 30 December
2017.
Held at the Sentro
Rizal of the Philippine
Embassy, the occasion
began with the singing of
the national anthem,
'Lupang Hinirang', by
all Embassy personnel
and their families.
Ambassador Domingo
gave his welcome
remarks and discussed
the important role of Dr.
Rizal in shaping the
Filipino nation, underscoring
his achievements
and the ideals that he
stood for as the
Philippines' foremost
nationalist, patriot and
advocate for reforms
through peaceful means
during the Spanish colonial
period.
As the event’s primary
audience were the youth,
Ambassador Domingo
invited the children of the
officers and staff of the
Embassy as well as the
Embassy’s visitors and
applicants to attentively
watch the films José
Rizal, a biographical
movie directed by
Marilou Diaz-Abaya and
starring Cesar Montano
as José Rizal and Pluma:
Si Rizal, Ang Dakilnag
Manunulat, a GMA
News TV Docudrama.
The event culminated
with a simple Filipino
salu-salo.
Credit: Photo and text
from the Philippine
Embassy website: https://
www.philembassy.org.nz/

08 WAITANGI DAY 2018 ISSUE 111 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | ADVERTISING: 027 495 8477
BUHAY OVERSEAS
WHAT, YOU’RE STILL SINGLE!?!?
By LORELEI AQUINO
Mom on a Mission
MANILA - Christmas can
be tough when you’re single.
After all, it is the season of
joy, generosity and of
course, love.
You probably just attended
a party or a family reunion
over the Christmas break,
where you inevitably experienced
some awkward
moments with all the innocent
yet incessant teasing,
insensitive remarks and
downright offensive comments
about your relationship
status – or lack thereof.
“Another cold Christmas
for you? That’s too bad.”
“You look attractive
enough. I don’t understand
why you can’t find a man to
marry you.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure the
perfect man is right around
the corner.”
“Maybe you should lower
your standards.”
“Your
biological
clock is
ticking.
Your career
won’t keep
you warm
on cold
nights, you
k n o w .
Neither will
it keep you
company
when you
grow old
and gray.”
“Your
father and I
are already
old. When
are you
going to
give us
grandchildren?”
All the single men and
women I know are eerily
familiar with these thinly
veiled criticisms and all too
often, these never fail to
annoy and exasperate them.
That, however, is not the
case with Techie Buenaventura.
Yes, Techie is no stranger
to that entire affair. But,
unlike when she was
younger, she no longer
allows herself to get affected.
With age and stature
comes self-confidence, I
suppose, and as a 43-yearold
bank executive she is
assured of her place in the
sun. Nothing much can ruffle
her feathers.
Techie spends her workdays
attending meetings and
conferences, conducting
client calls and ensuring the
Philippine Week : 11-17 June 2018
A celebration of Philippine Culture,
Food, Travel, Products and Services
www.halohalo.nz is now into its 10th year.
As business, trade, cultural and direct air links between
the Philippines and New Zealand is growing at a fast pace,
we have revamped the original 2-day Halo Halo NZ Expo
into a week-long celebration.
Authentic Filipino Food Festival (16 & 17 June).
Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards. Filipino Music Awards.
Two Cultural Pageants.
Schools Programme. And lots more!
We invite everyone to join with us to showcase
the very best that Philippines has to offfer to New Zealanders.
filipinonews@xtra.co.nz or text 027 495 8477.
smooth operation of the
bank branches she handles.
Her spare time, on the
other hand, is devoted to
bonding with her family,
going out with friends,
mountain climbing or wakeboarding
with her more
adventurous colleagues, or
exploring new destinations
with her travel buddies.
Her Christian duties usually
occupy her Sundays as
she serves as a lector-commentator
in her parish
church.
She also lends support to
community-based missions
and other worthy causes. In
short, she is having the time
of her life!
Thus, she is completely
immune to the reactions of
regret, disappointment, or
pity that she gets from other
people when they learn that
she is still single.
Like Techie, many of
today’s women (and men),
especially millennials,
decide to put off marriage or
not get married at all for various
reasons.
A great majority consider
themselves too ambitious
and career-driven to ever
contemplate marriage. Some
have already been married
once in their lives, but due to
circumstances now live in
solitude.
Others, who are in 'complicated'
relationships, cannot
marry because of legal,
religious or cultural considerations
and impediments.
An increasing number are
in happy, long-term relationships,
yet opt to live with
their partners without the
benefit of either a marriage
contract or the Sacrament
of Holy Matrimony. And
still there is a handful who
have never been in a serious,
committed relationship
since, well, time immemorial
because they are either
pining for their 'one that got
away' or still waiting for
their 'Mr. Right'.
The world used to adhere
to the feudal view that a
woman’s rightful place is at
home – that while men are
busy working outside to support
the family financially,
women should spend their
days (and nights!) painstakingly
tending to their brood.
The world, however, has
changed tremendously over
time – and with it, our collective
belief of women’s
roles, both in the family and
in society.
I, for one, have come to
realise that marriage is not
the be-all-end-all for everyone.
Women should have the
freedom to choose their own
path and the equal opportunities
afforded to men to
pursue their dreams.
In fact, I have a lot of contemporaries,
mostly friends
and acquaintances from college,
who have remained
single to this day and are
contentedly so. It is actually
these single men and women
who seem to have acquired
total control of their lives.
They can pursue their
dreams and further their
careers with an enviable
ferociousness and singlemindedness
that married
people like me, with our tons
of extra baggage, cannot
afford to do.
Time is a commodity that
they can avail themselves of
and dispose of on a whim.
They can socialise with
friends, pay relatives frequent
visits, explore new
hobbies, travel to any place
that strikes their fancy – all
without the need to secure
someone else’s approval or
permission.
They have gained adequate
financial independence
that allows them to
spend money on things that
could make any girl’s heart
sing.
They have the freedom to
go out with different guys
and have non-committed
fun, guilt-free.
They look a lot younger
than people their age who
are perennially burdened
with issues about their failing
careers AND inadequate
finances, less-than-perfect
marriages, non-existent time
for themselves, strained relationship
with their in-laws
and/or a whole slew of worries
and concerns with
regards to the kids.
They don’t need to constantly
compromise with
someone whose set of needs,
wants, beliefs or habits may
be totally conflicting with
their own.
Also, with today’s dismal
and staggering rate of marital
separations all over the
world, this growing bunch is
spared from the potential of
becoming just another statistic.
And if they are observant
enough, they can learn many
lessons just by watching
other people’s lives unfolding
before them. Valuable,
free, painless lessons.
These 'men/women of the
world' are invariably oozing
with boundless confidence.
They are used to wielding
power, authority and influence.
They are comfortable
in their own skins. They
have no qualms using whatever
is at their disposal to get
what they want and believe
me, they do know what they
want. And they never fail to
command rapt attention and
admiration from the people
around them.
So, the next time people
ask why you’re still single,
or treat you condescendingly
just because you decide not
to settle down – just yet or
permanently – say, “I’m fabulous
and I haven’t found
anyone equally as fabulous,
that’s why!”

WAITANGI DAY 2018 ISSUE 111 | www.filipinonews.nz : www.pinoynzlife.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | ADVTG tel: 027 495 8477 09
PGC season 2018 tees off with
EDWIN CABALLERO CUP
71st PAL Men’s
Interclub Golf
Tournament 2018
27 Feb - 10 Mar
Bacolod City
By ELMER GALANG
AUCKLAND - The Pinoy Golf
Club of Auckland teed off its first
golf tournament of 2018 on the
14th of January. 35 golfers from all
over Auckland gathered to compete
for the Edwin Caballero Cup
at the Akarana Golf Course.
James Thompson came up on
top and was declared the champion
with 44 stableford points. Peter
Gordon was declared 1st runner
up with 43 stableford points which
he won by count back over Paul
Familara, who settled for the 2nd
runner up honours. 3rd runner up
went to Sam Dignadice, who
turned in 40 stableford points.
Other winners were: Gabby
Lansi, who submitted the lowest
gross score. Joel Nieves won the
longest drive. Peter Gordon also
won the nearest the pin prize.
Everyone who stayed for the
awards received at least a raffle
prize.
The Edwin Caballero Cup lived
up to its reputation of being one of
PGC’s sought after golf tournaments,
known for its generosity.
Everyone went home happy with
the food, drinks and prizes.
Donjie Mendoza, PGC president,
extended invites to everyone
for the next club tournament,
which will be held on the 11th of
February at Redwood Park Golf
B
Course. Richard Horner is the
tournament sponsor.
For more details, please get in
touch with Donjie Mendoza
at donovan.mendoza@thewarehouse.co.nz.
C
Edwin Caballero with Champion - James Thompson (A),
3rd Runner up - Sam Dignadice (B) and 2nd Runner up -
Paul Familiara (D).
Donjie Mendoza, PGC president with Longest Drive -
Joel Nieves (C).
A
D

10 WAITANGI DAY 2018 ISSUE 111 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | ADVERTISING: 027 495 8477
Mason cum Builder Needed
Auckland – Immediate Start
Salary range: $40,000 - $49,999, Full Time
An Auckland based medium sized building company is looking for
Qualified and Experienced Carpenter Builders that are conversant
with both timber and concrete constructions. Our Company
is involved in restoring heritage structures, new residential and
commercial builds and seismic strengthening of existing buildings.
CORE HANDS ON SKILLS:
• Erecting Framework and Roof Framing,
• Laying Subflooring and Floorboards and
• Verifying trueness of Structure
• Nailing Fascia Panels, Sheathing roofs and
fitting exterior wall cladding and door and window frames
• Block Laying & Concrete floor placing
• Fixing mesh and reinforcing steel into position
in formwork and concrete pours
•Installing plasterboard, skirting, architrave and
hardware and finishing stage
• Solid Plastering over masonry and other substrates
WHAT WE CAN OFFER:
Consistent Work in a fun Team Environment
Good Pay rates & Continuous work
Variety of New Builds and Renovations and Extensions
Work Permit Assistance to Overseas workers
with the above skills is available.
Interviews scheduled around 15 February 2018.
We are an equal employment opportunity employer and
encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for the Job.
Email CVs to: projectlinknz@gmail.com
Wanted Builder!
We are looking for Builders (Labour- tagagawa
and Hammerhand - bihasa)
for commercial cladding house
and some renovation work for the house.
Our jobs are mainly focused in the Auckland region
- North Shore and the West.
Applicants need to have their own work tools.
NZ residency or a valid NZ Work Visa is a must.
Send your CV to:
sinin71@gmail.com
or call: 021 025 85430

ISSUE 111 | www.filipinonews.nz email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | tel: 027 495 8477, 09 838 1221 | www.pinoynzlife.nz 11
www.halohalo.nz
websites: filipinonews.nz, pinoynzlife.nz
DUE DILIGENCE. Acceptance of advertisements is at the discretion
of the publisher. We encourage readers to practice due diligence when buying
products and services. For advice contact resource centres like the Citizens
Advice Bureau. If you wish to lodge a complaint against an advertiser don't
hesitate to call Filipino Migrant News on: 027 495 8477 or email: filipinonews
@xtra. co.nz.
Escape to a quiet villa at
Casa Alegria-Bohol
Bohol, Philippines
P: 09 837 4944
E: jesjor@outlook.co.nz
Book your group now at Casa Alegria-Bohol, and enjoy the
serenity around our holiday home. Get discounts up to 35%
(conditions apply). This is truly your home away from home.
We will do everything to make you feel at home.
The
BEST
Place to
RELAX
ACCOUNTING SERVICES
View from the cottage
GEM Accounting
Annual accounts, income tax, GST, PAYE, payroll,
Xero set-up and etc.
Call Grace at 021 0258 3270
e: mumford.grace@gmail.com www.gemaccounting.co.nz
WEBSITE DESIGNERS,
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STAFF
We are a start-up Marketing Company looking for
two web-designers and three social media
marketing personnel.
You will be contracted to undertake various adhoc
projects for our clients. Experience essential.
Expressions of interest by text please:
027 495 8477
SHOP
ASSISTANT
LOGOLAND - a workshop doing custom
embroidery and printing - is seeking a
full time shop assistant for it’s
Westcity Shopping Mall branch.
Requirements:
Good spoken English. And can work
shopping mall 's late night
and weekend hours.
ADVERTISING, Asian Media
Print/Web/Tablets/Cellphones
www.filipinonews.nz, pinoynzlife.nz
filipinoheroes.nz, maginooatbinibini.nz
halohalo.nz, asia2nz.com,
migrantnews.nz, travelgalore.nz
m: 027 495 8477 p: 09 838 1221
e: migrantnews@xtra.co.nz
BALIKBAYAN Box Forwarder
BM Express
Air and Sea Cargo
p: 027 587 8080
a: 15 Pyramid Place, Glen Eden, Akl
Crewcare Commercial
Cleaning
p: 0800 800 209
e: info@crewcare.co.nz
email: logoz@xtra.co.nz .
or text: 0211012588.
BUSINESS FRANCHISE
CAR REPAIRS, Mechanics
Auckland Auto Clinic
291 Church St., Onehunga
p: (09) 622 1265
e: service@autoclinic.co.nz
Jo’s Garage
contact: Jojo Segui
Unit C, 145A Target Rd., Glenfield
p: (09) 442 5834 m: 0274372913
e: jogarage@xtra.co.nz
South Suburban Motor Bodies
53 Plunket Ave., Puhinui, Manukau
p: (09) 278 7623
www.ssmb.co.nz
CHURCH SERVICES - Filipino
AUCKLAND:
Good Shepherd Parish
27 Telford Ave., Balmoral,
Auckland
Every Sunday @11:30am
St Mary’s Parish
(Papakura)
1st Sunday of the month
@12:30pm
Our Lady Star of the
Sea Parish
24 Picton St., Howick
2nd Sunday of the month
@12:30pm
Holy Cross Parish
(Papatoetoe)
3rd Sunday of the month
@2:30pm
St Patrick Parish
(Panmure)
3rd Sunday of the month
@4pm
IMPORTER / DISTRIBUTOR
Tres Marias
Importer and distributor of Filipino goods and services
within New Zealand. p: (09) 570 8981 / (09) 274 7595
e: info@tresmarias.co.nz
MIGRANT JOB BOARD
Click on Migrant Job Search@
filipinonews.nz, pinoynzlife.nz
filipino.kiwi or migrantnews.nz
JOBSEEKERS:
Please visit the above websites and
click on the MIGRANT JOB SEARCH
banner to view the latest job listings.
EMPLOYERS:
For more details about listing your
vacancies please contact:
fillipinonews@xtra.co.nz
or text: 027 495 8477
St Joseph Parish
10 Dominion St.,
Takapuna,
North Shore
4th Sunday of the month
@4pm
WELLINGTON:
Sts Peter & Paul
Church
60 Knights Rd., Lower
Hutt
1st Sunday @12pm
St Anne’s Catholic
Church
22 Emmett St., Newtown
Sunday masses @9:30am,
@5pm
Sacred Heart Cathedral
40 Hill St., Thorndon,
Wellington
Sunday masses @10:30am,
@7pm
SARI-SARI STORE
Tofu Shop
Asian Groceries - Imported & Local • Open 7 days
Albany - Unit D, 50 Greville Rd.
Northcote - 16 Pearn Cres. Newmarket - 7-11 Kent St.
Henderson - Unit D, Pioneer St.
Pakuranga - 290 Ti Rakau Drive
LIST YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS
on our new website link. Coming soon! email listings to: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz
We started publishing
Migrant News
www.migrantnews.nz
in 1991 - one of the
first ethnic newspapers
to appear in New
Zealand.
Today the paper is
published monthly for
new immigrants.
We are planning to
increase our coverage
of news from all parts
of New Zealand.
If you have some
writing experience we
are looking for freelance
contributors to be
part of our team.
Our other newspapers
include: Filipino
Migrant News (circulated
nationwide),
Pinoy NZ Life (our
Christchurch paper).
Please contact us by
email: migrantnews@
xtra.co.nz
Facebook: Migrant
News NZ
Or you can text or
call at: 027 495 8477.
Legacy of Faith Church
"Love God. Love People. Pass it on."
Sunday Worship Time
and Venue:
1st Floor, 7 Princes Street,
Otahuhu, Auckland
10 am
web: www.lfc.org.nz
e-mail: lfcnz.info@gmail.com
Intensive JOB SEARCH SUPPORT for newcomers
Citizens Advice Bureau Eden
Albert at St Lukes is offering
intensive support for newcomers
looking for a job.
This course will help the participants
to understand the work
culture of New Zealand. It will
also help in discovering what
employers want from the staff
and how to build your own networking.
This course will include two
group workshops followed by
two individual coaching sessions
and two follow-up Job Club sessions.
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Dates: Tuesday 27 and
Wednesday 28 February 2018
Venue: CAB Eden Albert at St
Lukes, 82 St Lukes Road,
Mt Albert (adjoining Public
Library)
The dates and times for the
coaching sessions and Job Clubs
are on the registration form.
To register for this free course,
simply call us on 09 846 4023 or
email us on project.cabac@ cab.
org.nz
PINOY NZ LIFE www.pinoynzlife.nz
Check out newspaper for the South Island : Christchurch. Dunedin. Invercargill .......

12 WAITANGI DAY 2018 ISSUE 111 | www.filipinonews.nz : pinoynzlfie.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | ADVERTISING: 027 495 8477
Philippine Week : 11-17 June 2018
A celebration of Philippine Culture,
Food, Travel, Products and Services
www.halohalo.nz is now into its 10th year.
As business, trade, cultural and direct air links between
the Philippines and New Zealand is growing at a fast pace,
we have revamped the original 2-day Halo Halo NZ Expo
into a week-long celebration.
Authentic Filipino Food Festival (16 & 17 June).
Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards. Filipino Music Awards.
Two Cultural Pageants.
Schools Programme. And lots more!
We invite everyone to join with us to showcase
the very best that Philippines has to offfer to New Zealanders.
filipinonews@xtra.co.nz or text 027 495 8477.

Asian Migrant News
Reach the
broader
Asian
market!
Filipino Migrant News
One-third of Aucklanders will be ASIANS BY 2021.
Time to reach this market!
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