Filipino News Waitangi 2018

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)