Filipino News 15 January 2017
www.filipinonews.nz; www.pinoynzlife,nz; email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz New Zealand's only fortnightly Filipino community newspaper since 2000. Print. Online. Tablet. Cellphones. Celebrating 17 years of publishing.
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New Zealand's only fortnightly Filipino community newspaper since 2000. Print. Online. Tablet. Cellphones. Celebrating 17 years of publishing.
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1Number<br />
Officially NZ’s #1 <strong>Filipino</strong> <strong>News</strong>paper since 2000.<br />
FORTNIGHTLY<br />
PRINT. WEB. MOBILE. TABLET. FB. YOUTUBE.<br />
Vol 7 No 95<br />
<strong>15</strong>-31 Jan <strong>2017</strong><br />
North<br />
and<br />
South<br />
Island<br />
www.filipinonews.nz, www.pinoynzlife.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong> | mobile: 027 495 8477, 027 445 7887<br />
Let's 'fortify' the goodwill<br />
we have shared with China<br />
“May all of us develop a<br />
more profound appreciation<br />
of our heritage as two<br />
distinct yet intertwined<br />
peoples,” says President<br />
Duterte.<br />
“Each beginning signals<br />
new chances and vast<br />
opportunities for change<br />
and change can mean a<br />
forward move, a rising, or<br />
a leap towards a better<br />
station, a steady ground, a<br />
reason to be grateful for<br />
and proud of the gift of<br />
life and the fulfillment of<br />
our aspirations.<br />
“The government<br />
shares the joys and hopes<br />
of our Chinese friends<br />
and Chinese-<strong>Filipino</strong>s<br />
who have found a root<br />
and reason for staying in<br />
the country.<br />
“They have enriched<br />
the <strong>Filipino</strong><br />
culture and<br />
history with their<br />
own. They have<br />
contributed to<br />
the economy through<br />
trade and investments.<br />
Their cuisine has become<br />
dearly familiar to many<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong> homes.<br />
“Their philosophy and<br />
attitude to life are a wellspring<br />
of practical lessons<br />
that all of us, regardless of<br />
nationality, can learn<br />
from.<br />
“May all of us develop a<br />
Duterte's<br />
Chinese<br />
New Year<br />
Message<br />
more profound appreciation<br />
of our heritage as two<br />
distinct yet intertwined<br />
peoples and further fortify<br />
the goodwill that we<br />
have shared over the<br />
years.<br />
“To everyone else who<br />
believes in the miracle of<br />
beginnings and who<br />
makes a choice for hope<br />
against fear, my best<br />
wishes in this auspicious<br />
season of the Chinese New<br />
Year.”<br />
Duterte to<br />
gov’t agencies:<br />
Fast-track<br />
Yolanda projects<br />
page 2<br />
Marian & Dingdong:<br />
The Royal Couple's<br />
2nd Anniversary<br />
pg07<br />
I keep coming back<br />
to Manila<br />
pg02<br />
The Year of the Rooster.<br />
The Rooster is the tenth Chinese zodiac<br />
symbol. Roosters were born in 1933,<br />
1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005<br />
and now <strong>2017</strong>.<br />
They are characterised as being very<br />
observant, hardworking, resourceful,<br />
courageous and confident. Their lucky<br />
numbers are 5, 7 and 8 and their lucky<br />
colours are gold, brown and yellow.<br />
“I hope this day<br />
will never end.” - Digong<br />
pg05<br />
The Sunday Beauty Queen(s)<br />
in our lives.<br />
pg08<br />
Miracles aplenty, pageantry,<br />
dancing queens and street food<br />
pg12<br />
“Gong Hei<br />
Fat Choi”
02 <strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong> ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong><br />
By LOUIE<br />
ENCABO<br />
Just like any <strong>Filipino</strong>-<br />
Kiwi household, my family<br />
embarked on a trip to the<br />
motherland during the<br />
recent Christmas holidays.<br />
For the <strong>Filipino</strong> diaspora<br />
worldwide the process of<br />
balikbayan is a ritual that<br />
we have grown accustomed<br />
to. It is tedious, but rewarding<br />
at the same time.<br />
We spend copious<br />
amounts on pasalubong,<br />
while constantly doublechecking<br />
that we did not<br />
forget to bring one for any<br />
family member - regardless<br />
of how distant the relation<br />
may be. We pack our maletas<br />
to the brim, while at the<br />
same time fretting about<br />
exceeding the allotted baggage<br />
allowance.<br />
When we touchdown at<br />
NAIA we immediately<br />
complain of the heat - but<br />
can't tell whether it's the<br />
climate or the warmth of<br />
being home again. We go<br />
through the Customs area,<br />
praying silently that the<br />
Customs officers do not ask<br />
I keep coming back to<br />
us to reveal the contents of<br />
our luggage.<br />
Exiting the terminal is<br />
just as exhausting; without<br />
a sundo you must para a<br />
taxi. In the process you<br />
either get hassled by<br />
obnoxious porters or argue<br />
endlessly with a taxi driver<br />
trying to con you into paying<br />
an overly generous<br />
fare.<br />
Manila<br />
For the <strong>Filipino</strong> diaspora worldwide the process of balikbayan is a ritual that we<br />
have grown accustomed to. It is tedious, but rewarding at the same time.<br />
You sit in the uncomfortable<br />
back-seat of the colorum<br />
taxi while you traverse<br />
through the dreaded<br />
Philippine traffic; surrounded<br />
by an endless sea of<br />
vehicles that neither stay in<br />
their lanes nor use their<br />
indicator lights when<br />
switching.<br />
You arrive at your relatives'<br />
place, where the rest<br />
of your kin greets you. You<br />
become overwhelmed by<br />
their warmth and hospitality,<br />
until you get asked what<br />
pasalubong you brought<br />
for them.<br />
They then swoop in for<br />
the mix of food and clothes<br />
that you stashed in your<br />
luggage; your heart faints<br />
when it seems as though<br />
they care more about the<br />
material goods than they do<br />
about you.<br />
In that brief lull you<br />
wonder if it was all worth<br />
it. You traded that sane,<br />
orderly Western country<br />
you came from for this<br />
urban jungle of bad drivers<br />
and pollution. You spent<br />
quite a lot on gifts which<br />
are appreciated more than<br />
your presence is.<br />
But then you are told that<br />
noche buena is ready and<br />
you salivate at the banquet<br />
prepared especially just for<br />
you: all the dishes you<br />
deprived yourself of while<br />
you callously worked<br />
abroad.<br />
You then sit at the dinner<br />
table with your extended<br />
family; they ask you about<br />
that foreign country you<br />
work in and update you<br />
about their lives while you<br />
were away. You reminisce<br />
about the past and make<br />
grand plans to say hello to<br />
your childhood friends.<br />
Then the answer becomes<br />
apparent to you: yes,<br />
it was all worth it.<br />
For all the trouble it<br />
causes you, for all the<br />
heartaches you get reading<br />
the news or the migraine<br />
the travel gives you - being<br />
home and feeling the<br />
warmth of being at home<br />
makes all that worth it.<br />
And hence the reason I<br />
keep coming back, despite<br />
the madness, because as the<br />
saying goes: there's no<br />
place like home.<br />
Foreign consultant proposes<br />
an e-voting system<br />
“Give me a call if you would like to get the<br />
best possible price for your property!”<br />
“I came to New Zealand from the Philippines more than<br />
30 years ago, I can also claim ancestral heritage from China<br />
and Spain. With over 23 years in the Real Estate business,<br />
I am renowned for acquiring the most up-to-date<br />
information on the property trends in the Western and<br />
Central suburbs. My success in Real Estate is evident<br />
by my hundreds of satisfied customers.”<br />
By CRISELDA DAVID<br />
FMN Correspondent<br />
TUGUEGARAO CITY,<br />
Philippines - A foreign<br />
computer system architect<br />
and volunteer consultant has<br />
proposed an electronic voting<br />
system in the country as<br />
a solution to election fraud<br />
and manipulation.<br />
Keith Brent Duncan,<br />
who is now in the province,<br />
has proposed some methodologies<br />
for eliminating<br />
societal problems that hamper<br />
economic progress during<br />
the recent episode of<br />
the Philippine Information<br />
Agency's 'Tipon Tipan sa<br />
PIA' here.<br />
Duncan explained to the<br />
local media the importance<br />
of an electronic voting system<br />
in which the control<br />
number of each voter will<br />
not be manipulated or<br />
hacked.<br />
“As an expert in computer<br />
programming I can create a<br />
system of voting which will<br />
lead to a clean, orderly, safe<br />
and honest election,” he<br />
said.<br />
He said that the e-voting<br />
system's concrete structure<br />
has already been published<br />
on his website, which government<br />
agencies can<br />
access and study further for<br />
adoption.<br />
He urged concerned agencies<br />
to adopt the e-voting<br />
system for the coming local<br />
elections to assess its credibility<br />
and accuracy.<br />
He said that his proposed<br />
methodologies are still in<br />
the dissemination phase, in<br />
which he is trying to involve<br />
the public in assessing<br />
whether the proposed solutions<br />
would be helpful in<br />
eradicating societal challenges<br />
or not.<br />
Duncan is also partnering<br />
with religious organizations<br />
here and abroad to raise<br />
funds for the rehabilitation<br />
of typhoon 'Lawin' victims<br />
in the province.<br />
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P: 09 845 5906<br />
E: m.baker@barfoot.co.nz<br />
W: barfoot.co.nz/m.baker<br />
1186 Great North Road, Pt Chevalier
<strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong> - ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong> 03<br />
By<br />
CRISELDA<br />
DAVID<br />
FMN<br />
Correspondent<br />
MANILA, Philippines -<br />
President Rodrigo Roa<br />
Duterte has ordered government<br />
agencies to speed up<br />
the rehabilitation projects in<br />
Tacloban City, which was<br />
severely damaged by super<br />
typhoon 'Yolanda' three<br />
years ago.<br />
President Duterte,<br />
who expressed dissatisfaction<br />
about<br />
the slow pace of<br />
the ongoing rehabilitation<br />
works, on<br />
the spot ordered<br />
Presidential Assistant<br />
for the Visayas<br />
Michael Dino to<br />
take charge of the<br />
rehabilitation projects.<br />
He said that after<br />
three years only a number of<br />
bunkhouses and other shelter<br />
houses had been built.<br />
“Dapat 'yang Yolanda, one<br />
year after, tapos na 'yan<br />
lahat. So you cut the red<br />
tape,” Duterte said.<br />
“I ask everybody to cooperate,<br />
kindly cooperate. Do<br />
not delay government projects,”<br />
he added, noting that<br />
he will be back in December<br />
to inspect the progress of the<br />
Duterte to gov't agencies:<br />
Fast-track ‘Yolanda’ projects<br />
rehabilitation<br />
projects. The President likewise<br />
directed local government<br />
units to speed up processing<br />
permits such as<br />
building, electrical and business<br />
permits to spur development<br />
and progress.<br />
President Duterte also said<br />
that he will come up with a<br />
regulation similar to Davao,<br />
wherein government permits<br />
are out in 72 hours.<br />
“Ako, I do it in 72 hours.<br />
Any business<br />
permit that<br />
you would like<br />
to apply, it's 72<br />
hours in Davao … Then,<br />
beyond that, you go to the<br />
Mayor and explain why you<br />
need more than 72 hours to<br />
process the papers,” Duterte<br />
said. The Chief Executive<br />
said that there will be no<br />
room for laziness in his<br />
administration. “Alam mo,<br />
indolence is part of corruption.<br />
When you are paid for<br />
eight hours to do your work,<br />
mag-trabaho ka ng eight<br />
hours, do not shortchange<br />
the public,” Duterte said.<br />
In the same speech<br />
President Duterte said that<br />
he will no longer allow more<br />
than two bodyguards for<br />
government officials, citing<br />
the Alunan Doctrine. “I will<br />
return the Alunan Doctrine.<br />
The doctrine says that more<br />
than three bodyguards,<br />
including you kung may<br />
armas ka, pangatlo ka, that's<br />
a private army and you will<br />
be arrested,” he said.<br />
“Wala akong pakialam<br />
kung sinong governor ka o<br />
mayor. We will go back to<br />
the simple days of you can<br />
have one or<br />
two,” he<br />
added. Duterte<br />
also<br />
warned the police to do their<br />
job properly. “Di kita<br />
papalusutin. But lahat ng<br />
pulis na nagpasubo sa trabaho,<br />
they will have my protection<br />
and I will not allow a<br />
single policeman to go to<br />
prison just because he was<br />
doing his duty. Tandaan<br />
ninyo 'yan,” he said.<br />
The President also assured<br />
people that the typhoon victims<br />
will receive emergency<br />
assistance worth P5,000<br />
from the Department of<br />
Social Welfare and Development<br />
and another P5,000<br />
from the Department of<br />
Trade and Industry<br />
(DTI)'s livelihood assistance<br />
III scheme.<br />
Earlier, President Duterte,<br />
together with two survivors,<br />
laid a wreath on the grave of<br />
one of the victims of the<br />
tragedy to demonstrate his<br />
sympathy and honour those<br />
who perished. After the<br />
wreath laying President<br />
Duterte and Vice President<br />
Leni Robredo lighted a candle<br />
to show respect to those<br />
who died in the super<br />
typhoon. Typhoon survivors<br />
and members of their respective<br />
families and friends also<br />
offered flowers and candles<br />
to their dead loved ones.<br />
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04 <strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong> ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong><br />
Edwin Caballero<br />
Golf Tournament<br />
Jan <strong>2017</strong><br />
@ Maungakiekie<br />
Golf Club<br />
Photo credit: PGC<br />
By JAY ARANAS<br />
The Pinoy Golf Club of<br />
Auckland's first tournament<br />
of <strong>2017</strong>, The Edwin<br />
Caballero Golf tournament,<br />
turned out to be a<br />
family affair with the<br />
Hansens and Lansis winning<br />
the major awards.<br />
Henning Hansen turned<br />
in the Lowest Gross score<br />
of 79, while Mitzi Hansen<br />
won the Ladies Division<br />
Championship with 35<br />
Stableford points.<br />
In the Men's division,<br />
Anjo Lansi scored 38<br />
Stableford points to top the<br />
Men's Division 1 group.<br />
Not to be outdone by his<br />
son, Jay Lansi scored the<br />
same to master the Men's<br />
Division 2 field via countback.<br />
Anton Garrido, Richard<br />
Horner, 2016 Golfer<br />
of the Year and Lorna<br />
Abbott settled for runner<br />
It's a family affair<br />
Ladies Champion Mitzi Hansen<br />
with Edwin Caballero<br />
up honours.<br />
Other winners were<br />
Patrick Fraser, with the<br />
Longest Drive and Elmer<br />
Galang, who was just a<br />
metre away from the Pin.<br />
In spite of the intermittent<br />
EDWIN CABALLERO CUP:<br />
afternoon showers 42<br />
golfers supported the<br />
tournament hosted by<br />
Edwin Caballero at<br />
the Maungakiekie<br />
Golf Club.<br />
It was well worth it,<br />
as Edwin made sure<br />
that everyone was<br />
happy with the food,<br />
drinks and raffle<br />
prizes galore!<br />
Club president<br />
Donjie Mendoza<br />
reminded the group<br />
of the upcoming tournaments.<br />
This February a team will<br />
be representing New Zealand<br />
at the 70th PAL<br />
Interclub to be held in<br />
Davao City, Philippines.<br />
This will be the first time<br />
NZ joins the longest running<br />
amateur tournament,<br />
participated in by 80 teams<br />
from all over the world. The<br />
team is composed of Edwin<br />
Caballero, Ton Garrido,<br />
Gerry Quijano and Jude<br />
Daculan from Auckland<br />
and Archie Milo, Ed<br />
Magadia, Elier Tingzon<br />
and Fr. Mar Dorado from<br />
Wellington.<br />
Our next tournament will<br />
be at the Pakuranga Golf<br />
Club on the 19th of Feb,<br />
hosted by Simon Lim. For<br />
more details and to register<br />
please contact Donjie Mendoza<br />
at Donovan.mendoza<br />
@thewarehouse.co.nz.<br />
Editor - Jay Aranas was<br />
awarded the <strong>Filipino</strong>-Kiwi<br />
Hero Award for 'Sports<br />
From left:<br />
Men’s Division 2 Champion<br />
- Jay Lansi;<br />
Division 1 Runner-up -<br />
Richard Horner;<br />
Lowest Gross Winner -<br />
Henning Hansen<br />
Organiser of the Year<br />
2016'.<br />
Above:<br />
Men’s Division 1<br />
Champion -<br />
Anjo Lansi<br />
with Donjie<br />
Mendoza and<br />
Edwin Caballero<br />
• UPCOMING •<br />
EVENTS<br />
True Faith.<br />
Live in Auckland<br />
18 February <strong>2017</strong>.<br />
Avondale College Theatre,<br />
51 Victor St, Avondale,<br />
Auckland<br />
Tickets: Mike Cruz<br />
021 045 0550, Trixie<br />
Diongson 021 028 46974,<br />
Reynald Ricafrente<br />
021 050 7381.<br />
Email: greencrateaudio<br />
@gmail.com<br />
5th Maginoo at<br />
Binibining <strong>Filipino</strong><br />
<strong>News</strong> Cultural<br />
Show<br />
8 April <strong>2017</strong><br />
Venue: Auckland<br />
Expressions of interest<br />
welcome:<br />
filipinonews@xtra.co.nz<br />
Website:<br />
www.maginooatbinibini.nz<br />
3rd <strong>Filipino</strong>-Kiwi<br />
Hero Awards <strong>2017</strong><br />
When: 17 June <strong>2017</strong><br />
Venue: Auckland<br />
Nominations for the <strong>2017</strong><br />
awards welcome<br />
www.filipinoheroes.nz<br />
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<strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong> - ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong> 05<br />
“I hope this day will never end.”- Digong<br />
By SHEILA MARIANO<br />
MANILA - “Before I proceed<br />
I'd like to make an<br />
admission that never in my<br />
life have I been … (in) a<br />
room full of beautiful<br />
women. This is (a) privilege<br />
and an honour and I hope<br />
that this day will never end,”<br />
said President Duterte<br />
when 84 international beauties<br />
visited him at Malacanang<br />
Palace earlier this<br />
month.<br />
These women, from all<br />
corners of the earth, are<br />
competing in the 65th Miss<br />
Universe competition,<br />
which is being held in<br />
Manila this year. The finals<br />
will be held at the Mall of<br />
Tania Dawson (2nd from left)), contestants and 2016 Miss Universe Pia Wurztbach (red top)<br />
Asia Arena on 30th <strong>January</strong>.<br />
And guess what, this year's<br />
event is once again being<br />
hosted by Emmy Award<br />
Winner Steve Harvey.<br />
Three Filipinas have won<br />
this competition previously,<br />
including Pia Wurtzbach,<br />
the reigning Miss Universe,<br />
Gloria Diaz (1969) and<br />
Margarita Moran (1973).<br />
As you would expect with<br />
the event being held on their<br />
home ground, Philippine<br />
media and the locals are in<br />
the throes of pageant fever.<br />
Many are betting on Miss<br />
Philippines, Maxine Medina,<br />
to grab the crown to<br />
make it a double win for a<br />
contestant from the Philippines.<br />
It was revealed that<br />
Maxine's national costume<br />
will include a headpiece of<br />
pearls worth P1 million.<br />
Another popular contestant<br />
in PH media is Miss<br />
Universe New Zealand,<br />
Tania Dawson (nickname<br />
Tanz), 5ft 5”, who is half<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong>.<br />
“I am a born and raised<br />
Kiwi, but I have always been<br />
proud of my <strong>Filipino</strong> diversity<br />
and heritage,” she said on<br />
her Facebook page. “What<br />
an amazing opportunity<br />
@missuniversenz has given<br />
me to represent New<br />
Zealand and at the same time<br />
find my <strong>Filipino</strong> roots. I am<br />
on an amazing journey!”<br />
Tania's mother Margarita<br />
Pelenda is a Filipina from<br />
Pangansinan and Baguio<br />
City and her dad is a Kiwi. “I<br />
have always been very proud<br />
of my mix of ethnicity and it<br />
has always been a conversation<br />
point,” she told FMN.<br />
“I am currently working as<br />
a secondary school teacher<br />
of Media and Drama at<br />
Southern Cross Campus,”<br />
she added. “I have a<br />
Bachelor of Arts degree, a<br />
double major in Film,<br />
Maxine Medina<br />
Tania Dawson (right)<br />
Television, Media Studies<br />
and Drama and a Graduate<br />
Diploma in Secondary<br />
Teaching.”<br />
Tania wrote in her tell all<br />
event questionnaire that she<br />
is secretly afraid of failure.<br />
And the best advice she has<br />
ever received is: “If you<br />
don't try you will never<br />
know.”<br />
Her ultimate heroes are<br />
her teachers: “They inspired<br />
me to find my potential.”<br />
Tania defines success as:<br />
“setting personal goals and<br />
doing your best to meet them<br />
- even if you don't, at least<br />
you gave it your best.”<br />
By the way, her hidden talent<br />
is singing.<br />
She feels most comfortable<br />
in Active Wear and<br />
working out is her great<br />
stress relief.<br />
Finally, she believes that<br />
beauty is internal and comes<br />
in different shapes and<br />
forms.<br />
As reported in the New<br />
Zealand Herald: “The last<br />
and only time a New<br />
Zealander won the coveted<br />
International Miss Universe<br />
title was in 1983 by Lorraine<br />
Downes.”<br />
Check out our websites for<br />
ongoing updates about this<br />
pageant:<br />
www.filipinonews.nz,<br />
www.pinoynzlife.nz.<br />
Tania’s family in the Philippines
06 <strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong> ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong><br />
CHIKA<br />
MUNA<br />
TFC, PAL flew in showbiz duo<br />
for a 'Kapamilya' treat<br />
By SHEILA MARIANO<br />
AUCKLAND - Remember<br />
the exciting 'One<br />
Kapamilya Go Concert'<br />
to celebrate TFC's 20th<br />
Anniversary on 26th September<br />
2014 at the Victory<br />
Convention Centre in<br />
Auckland?<br />
Top billing for that event<br />
was 'Mr Pure Energy' himself<br />
- Gary Valenciano.<br />
And he was joined by the<br />
phenomenal love team of<br />
Kathryn Bernardo and<br />
Daniel Padilla, 'The Voice'<br />
first runner-up Klarisse de<br />
Guzman and female comedian<br />
Kakai Bautista.<br />
As it was such a memorable<br />
show FMN featured<br />
the event as our cover story<br />
for the October 2014 edition.<br />
And ever since, many<br />
like me have been eagerly<br />
looking out for a repeat of<br />
the 'Kapamilya' series.<br />
Then on 9th December<br />
last year the 'TFC Kapamilya<br />
Fun Day' concert was<br />
Jay Santos and Linlin<br />
Linsao of TFC<br />
back. As Philippine Airlines<br />
was celebrating the<br />
first anniversary of its<br />
Auckland to Manila flight,<br />
the carrier powered the<br />
show by flying in a couple<br />
of well-known TFC entertainers.<br />
The headline act was<br />
Jaya - the sensational<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong>-Jamaican 'Queen<br />
of Soul'. Her real name, by<br />
the way, is Maria Luisa<br />
Ramsey and she is the<br />
daughter of the late Elizabeth<br />
Ramsey.<br />
She was associated with<br />
the rival GMA-7 network<br />
for over 16 years before<br />
joining TFC in July last<br />
year.<br />
According to media<br />
PAL’s raffle draw ticket winners<br />
(1st and 3rd from left) with Didi Verata of PAL,<br />
Fr Elric Jorquia, Linlin and Jay Santos, TFC<br />
reports:<br />
“Jaya<br />
h a s<br />
released<br />
m o r e<br />
than 11<br />
studio<br />
albums<br />
throughout<br />
her<br />
25 year<br />
career. She is also the first<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong> recording artist to<br />
feature on the US Billboard<br />
Hot 100 chart. Her debut<br />
single 'If You Leave Me<br />
Now' peaked at 44 in<br />
1989.”<br />
Jaya was supported by<br />
comedian Negi, a former<br />
sidekick of Vice Ganda in<br />
the long running 'Gandang<br />
Gabi Vice' show.<br />
Jaya and Negi had been<br />
performing at Australia's<br />
'Kapamilya Fun Day' in<br />
Darwin, Adelaide and<br />
Sydney before taking on<br />
their Auckland gig.<br />
The event held at the<br />
Auckland Girls Grammar<br />
School in Auckland was<br />
packed, because I suspect<br />
that we can't get enough of<br />
quality acts making their<br />
way to our shores.<br />
I sat riveted listening to<br />
Negi<br />
and Jaya<br />
Jaya belt out her famous hit<br />
songs and a selection of<br />
OPM and mainstream pop<br />
songs. It was just brilliant!<br />
Jaya and Negi were supported<br />
by popular local<br />
front acts.<br />
Bring on the next<br />
'Kapamilya Fun Day'. I<br />
can't wait.<br />
‘My dear heart’ is set to<br />
inspire Pinoy viewers<br />
QUEZON CITY,<br />
Philippines - ABS-CBN's<br />
newest teleserye 'My Dear<br />
Heart', starring Coney<br />
Reyes, Zanjoe Marudo,<br />
Bela Padilla and introducing<br />
the newest ABS-CBN<br />
child star Nayomi Ramos,<br />
is about to spark hope for<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong>s in and outside the<br />
homeland as the upcoming<br />
Dreamscape Entertainment<br />
TV series premieres<br />
on <strong>January</strong> 23 via The<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong> Channel (TFC),<br />
streaming live via TFC.tv.<br />
After Marudo's heavy<br />
drama stint in 'Tubig at<br />
Langis' in 2016 with<br />
Cristine Reyes and Isabelle<br />
Daza, he will now star in an<br />
inspiring series with Padilla,<br />
who will be paired with him<br />
for the first time. This is also<br />
Padilla's second big project<br />
with ABS-CBN since her<br />
network transfer last year.<br />
In 'My Dear Heart', a production<br />
of Dreamscape Entertainment,<br />
Marudo will<br />
play the role of Jude, the<br />
father of Heart (Ramos) and<br />
husband of Clara (Padilla).<br />
They are living a simple and<br />
happy life until they discover<br />
that Heart is suffering<br />
from congenital heart disease.<br />
Meanwhile, Reyes has<br />
expressed her excitement<br />
about her latest project,<br />
especially since their show<br />
aims to give hope to their<br />
viewers. “This teleserye will<br />
show that life is not perfect.<br />
Life is not fair. But you will<br />
see that if you hang on to the<br />
only one who can do something<br />
about your situation<br />
then there will always be<br />
hope and that there is something<br />
good to look forward<br />
to,” the experienced actress<br />
explains.<br />
In this show Reyes will<br />
give life to Dr. Margaret, the<br />
top heart surgeon in the<br />
country. Her success has<br />
hardened her heart, especially<br />
after her daughter Gia<br />
(Ria Atayde) got pregnant<br />
by Jude when they were still<br />
students. She ruins Jude's<br />
life in return to exact<br />
revenge for what happened<br />
to her daughter.<br />
“I know that this is something<br />
that many people will<br />
enjoy watching,” assures<br />
Reyes. “There is something<br />
in it for everyone in the family,<br />
from the lolas and lolos<br />
to the young moms and<br />
dads, the teens and the little<br />
ones.”<br />
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Look for Jojo Segui
<strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong> - ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong> 07<br />
Marian & Dingdong:<br />
The Royal Couple's<br />
2nd Anniversary<br />
Sources: @therealmarian, Wikimedia, www.gmanetwork, www.pep.ph<br />
MANILA - Great Britain<br />
has a Royal couple - Prince<br />
William and Kate Middleton.<br />
Japan has Emperor<br />
Akihito and Empress Michiko.<br />
The US has the former<br />
President Barack Obama<br />
and Michelle Obama.<br />
Jay-z and Beyonce were the<br />
music industry's royalty.<br />
The Philippines also has a<br />
royal couple - Marian Rivera<br />
and Dingdong Dantes,<br />
dubbed 'DongYan' by millions<br />
of fans in the<br />
Philippines.<br />
Sorry 'Brangelina', you're<br />
not part of the list anymore.<br />
Local TV Network GMA<br />
7 (Kapuso Network)<br />
Primetime King Dingdong<br />
Dantes and Queen Marian<br />
Rivera managed to capture<br />
the hearts of many with their<br />
love story that transcended<br />
the TV screen into real life.<br />
Ever since the touted<br />
Kapuso Royal Couple have<br />
been on everyone's radar.<br />
Both of them are blessed<br />
InStar<br />
Instagram Chika<br />
B y S H E I L A M A R I A N O<br />
with good looks and charisma.<br />
The couple was voted as<br />
two of the sexiest people in<br />
the world. Both also won<br />
several awards, including<br />
Best Actor awards, in TV<br />
series and movies.<br />
Marian, 32, a Spanish-<br />
Filipina commercial model<br />
and actress married Dingdong,<br />
36, an actor, commercial<br />
model, TV presenter and<br />
film producer, on 30<br />
December 2014 at the<br />
Immaculate Conception<br />
Cathedral in Quezon City.<br />
The wedding dubbed as<br />
'The Royal Wedding' was<br />
attended by the then<br />
Philippine President and<br />
well-known personalities<br />
from the television and<br />
movie industry. The grand<br />
royal wedding was paid for<br />
by the groom as his gift to<br />
his beautiful bride.<br />
After five months of marriage<br />
the young couple<br />
announced that they were<br />
expecting their first child.<br />
And on 23 November 20<strong>15</strong><br />
Marian gave birth to a baby<br />
girl, Maria Letizia, at the<br />
Makati Medical Centre.<br />
Although many oppose<br />
Marian's stand, she supports<br />
breastfeeding in public. She<br />
was given the 'Breastfeeding<br />
Influencer and Advocate<br />
Award' by the Mother and<br />
Child Nurses Association<br />
of the Philippines on<br />
November 25, 2016, citing<br />
her advocacy for public<br />
breastfeeding.<br />
Going back in history,<br />
Marian and Dingdong both<br />
made a name for themselves<br />
in the entertainment industry<br />
and started to work together<br />
in 2007 in GMA Network's<br />
adaptation of the popular<br />
Mexican series 'MariMar'<br />
(based on Televisa's 1994<br />
Mexican telenovela of the<br />
same title), where Marian<br />
played the lead role opposite<br />
Dingdong. The show became<br />
the highest-rated<br />
prime time drama on<br />
Philippine television at that<br />
time and launched both<br />
Marian and Dingdong's<br />
careers to stardom. Their<br />
undeniable chemistry made<br />
them the hottest love team in<br />
the Philippines and GMA<br />
Network dubbed them the<br />
Primetime King and Queen.<br />
The success of 'MariMar'<br />
was followed up by more<br />
TV series, such as 'Dyesebel'<br />
in 2008, 'Ang Babaeng<br />
Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang'<br />
in 2009, 'Endless Love' in<br />
2010 and 'My Beloved' in<br />
Ang sarap alalahanin ang araw na ito kung saan sa harap ng<br />
Panginoon, ikaw ay aking pinangakuang mahalin, aalagan, at<br />
pagsilbihan hangga't ako'y nabubuhay- sa hirap at ginhawa. Isang<br />
biyaya ng pagmamahalan na habambuhay kong ipagpapasalamat.<br />
Happy Anniversary Mahal ko. I Love You! #DongYan<br />
2012, in which both played<br />
the lead roles opposite each<br />
other. They also made<br />
movies together: 'One True<br />
Love' in 2008 and 'You To<br />
Me Are Everything' in 2010.<br />
After working together on<br />
numerous projects, rumours<br />
of an off-screen romance<br />
began to surface.<br />
From June 2009, after<br />
their team-up in 'Ang<br />
Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking<br />
Tadyang', Dingdong and<br />
Marian grew closer. From<br />
working together to travelling<br />
abroad together, the<br />
actors started to behave as if<br />
there was something more<br />
between them.<br />
Then came Marian's 25th<br />
birthday in August 2009,<br />
when they openly held hands<br />
all evening and looked very<br />
much like a couple.<br />
Finally, in February 2010<br />
Dingdong and Marian<br />
revealed in an exclusive<br />
magazine interview that they<br />
had a special relationship.<br />
They came to the relationship<br />
slowly, shared Dingdong.<br />
He was in New York<br />
with friends and Marian was<br />
in Los Angeles when they<br />
realized that they had feelings<br />
for one another.<br />
By the looks of it this is a<br />
fairy tale love story where<br />
the couple will live happily<br />
ever after.
08 <strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong> ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong><br />
Screengrab from YouTube / Tuko Film Productions.<br />
L e o<br />
Selomenio<br />
(addresses a<br />
crowd of <strong>Filipino</strong><br />
maids):<br />
“Wag niyong<br />
isipin katulong<br />
lang ako binabayaran<br />
lang ako ng amo<br />
ko. Nandito ako dahil may<br />
sahod akong dollar may ipapadala<br />
ako sa Pilipinas. It's<br />
not that. Isipin ninyo sa sarili<br />
ninyo manager kayo!<br />
Syempre ako nag mamanage<br />
ng bahay ng amo ko. Bakit<br />
kayo hindi? O? Tatawa sila.<br />
Bakit kinahihiya mo trabaho<br />
mo? Sabihin mo muna manager<br />
ka. Siyempre titignan<br />
ka niya from head to foot.<br />
Oo may nakasabay ako sa<br />
eroplano. Anong ginagawa<br />
mo sa Hong Kong? Manager.<br />
Manager? Manager ka<br />
ng ano? Manager ako ng<br />
amo ko. O tinapat ko nga<br />
iPhone ko ha! Manager?<br />
Tapos tinignan niya ko from<br />
head to toe.”<br />
(Don't think of yourselves<br />
as mere helpers. You're here<br />
just for your salary to send<br />
back home. It's not that.<br />
Think of yourselves as managers.<br />
Of course I manage<br />
my employer's household.<br />
Don't you do the same? They<br />
laugh at me. I met someone<br />
on the plane and was asked<br />
my job. Tell them you're a<br />
manager. They look at me<br />
from head to foot. You're a<br />
manager? Yes, I manage the<br />
affairs of my employer.<br />
Then I whip out my iPhone.<br />
Then they look me over<br />
from head to toe.)<br />
SUNDAY BEAUTY<br />
QUEEN is a touching love<br />
letter to all mothers, sisters,<br />
aunts or anyone who has<br />
sacrificed something to<br />
make us who we are. When<br />
you think about it it's for<br />
every <strong>Filipino</strong>; for any parent<br />
and child or family in the<br />
world. It will make you want<br />
to hug every woman in your<br />
life.<br />
Directed by Babyruth<br />
Villarama Gutierrez, it is<br />
the only documentary to<br />
ever win BEST PICTURE<br />
in the history of the Metro<br />
Manila Film Fest Awards.<br />
It also garnered BEST<br />
EDITING - Chuck Gutierrez,<br />
GATPUNO ANTO-<br />
NIO J. VILLEGAS CUL-<br />
TURAL AWARD and<br />
CHILDREN'S CHOICE<br />
along with SAVING<br />
SALLY and VINCE &<br />
KATH & JAMES.<br />
It's a story we're all familiar<br />
with regardless of race.<br />
There's someone - a mother,<br />
an aunt, a sister, a father, a<br />
provider - who sacrifices<br />
themselves so we can go to<br />
school, have<br />
food to eat and<br />
have clothes on our<br />
back. They are stories that<br />
don't attract million-dollar<br />
blockbuster excitement; it's<br />
not necessarily Gal Gadot of<br />
WONDER WOMAN or<br />
Hugh Jackman as LOGAN<br />
for <strong>2017</strong>. More often than<br />
not they are the people we<br />
take for granted and don't<br />
really think about.<br />
We feel and see the sacrifice<br />
through the experiences<br />
of Leo Selomenio (Science<br />
Education Graduate), Rudelie<br />
Acosta (IT Graduate),<br />
Mylyn Jacobo (AB English<br />
Graduate), Hazel Perdido<br />
(Computer Science Graduate)<br />
and Cherrie Mae<br />
Bretaña (Hotel Management<br />
Graduate).<br />
They are all Overseas<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong> Workers who work<br />
as domestic helpers in Hong<br />
Kong, but have found meaningful<br />
activity during<br />
Sundays. Leo is an organizer<br />
of pageants and other events<br />
specifically for Filipina<br />
OFWs since 2008. The rest<br />
of the subjects are the candidates.<br />
The pageants are held<br />
only on Sunday as their one<br />
free day in the week.<br />
We go through their typical<br />
day, hear their stories and<br />
even hear from their employers.<br />
As you can see from<br />
their college degrees they're<br />
actually overqualified for<br />
the position of domestic<br />
helper. That doesn't protect<br />
them from experiencing verbal<br />
abuse from their employers<br />
or from being looked<br />
down upon even by their<br />
own countrymen. Even as<br />
the government hails our<br />
OFWs as modern day<br />
heroes, other <strong>Filipino</strong>s<br />
sometimes look down on<br />
domestic helpers.<br />
Just like the joke that Leo<br />
shares above, SUNDAY<br />
BEAUTY QUEEN isn't just<br />
a tearjerker, but more of an<br />
inspirational journey. We see<br />
that they cope with loneliness<br />
through mutual support,<br />
performances and yes beauty<br />
pageants.<br />
Ju-Chen Chen, an<br />
Anthropologist at the University<br />
of Hong Kong, was<br />
at first puzzled at their<br />
efforts, time and passion for<br />
these activities, even after an<br />
exhausting work week. Chen<br />
witnessed firsthand the<br />
camaraderie during an event.<br />
She discovered that they<br />
literally carry the Philippine<br />
FILM REVIEW<br />
By JUDE BAUTISTA<br />
judebautista.wordpress.com<br />
flag<br />
The Sunday<br />
Beauty Queen(s)<br />
in our lives.<br />
through the performan-ces<br />
of cultural dances, pageants<br />
and concerts. There are elaborate<br />
costumes and choreography.<br />
They are proud bearers<br />
of <strong>Filipino</strong> identity. Chen<br />
realized that the fulfillment<br />
they get is far greater than<br />
their day-to-day difficulties.<br />
Through their gatherings<br />
and performances they find<br />
a greater sense of self worth.<br />
In the face of a stressful and<br />
often discriminatory work<br />
environment they take the<br />
one day they have for themselves<br />
and still find the energy<br />
to put on a show for others.<br />
HK Mindset<br />
There's no doubt that<br />
domestic helpers in Hong<br />
Kong have a vital role. Long<br />
time TV producer Jack Soo<br />
was interviewed and said. “I<br />
live alone. Mylyn is the only<br />
one taking care of me in my<br />
daily life … Let me tell you<br />
something. If Hong Kong<br />
had no foreign helpers then<br />
Hong Kong would be in<br />
trouble. Just imagine those<br />
familys without a foreign<br />
helper. How are they gonna<br />
work; how will they take<br />
care of their children? How<br />
are they going to do their<br />
daily lives? So if the<br />
Philippine government stops<br />
all the helpers in all the<br />
country then the whole<br />
world will be in big trouble<br />
without helpers. There will<br />
be a big problem.”<br />
Not everyone, though, has<br />
a glowing opinion of foreign<br />
domestic helpers. In April of<br />
20<strong>15</strong> Executive Councillor<br />
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee<br />
made some derogatory comments<br />
about Filipina domestic<br />
helpers, accusing them of<br />
seducing their employers.<br />
The comments on her blog<br />
and official facebook page<br />
were particularly painful<br />
knowing the abuse that a<br />
majority of foreign domestic<br />
helpers endure. Some of<br />
them have even suffered<br />
physical and sexual abuse.<br />
For Filipinas who sacrifice<br />
so much this has the potential<br />
to damage their familial<br />
relationships back home.<br />
The issue came up in the<br />
Q&A portion in one of the<br />
pageants. Mylyn Jacobo<br />
very ably replied: “It's a big<br />
insult to us that most<br />
Filipina OFWs are called<br />
prostitutes. I will cite something<br />
that Mrs. Regina Ip<br />
told us. We <strong>Filipino</strong> domestic<br />
helpers are working here<br />
to serve a need and support<br />
our families in the Philippines.<br />
Whatever you say<br />
about us you should think<br />
twice about.”<br />
2 Week Rule<br />
Documentaries put important<br />
issues to the forefront<br />
because viewers see real<br />
people in real situations, not<br />
actors. In this case it's the<br />
policies of the HK SAR concerning<br />
domestic helpers.<br />
This affects not just the DH<br />
themselves, but their wards<br />
and the elderly, not to mention<br />
their own families back<br />
home reliant on the money<br />
they earn.<br />
continues on pg 09
<strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong> - ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong> 09<br />
Continues from pg 08<br />
Discrimination against<br />
foreign domestic helpers is<br />
built into the system. A clear<br />
example is what happened to<br />
Rudelie Acosta. After one of<br />
the pageants she was late<br />
coming back to her employer<br />
and went over her curfew<br />
hours. She was fired on<br />
the spot and was asked to<br />
leave the only lodgings that<br />
she had. Even after pleading<br />
to at least spend the night her<br />
employer refused and kicked<br />
her out without a roof over<br />
her head. On top of this she<br />
only has 2 weeks to find<br />
another employer or she will<br />
lose the right to stay in Hong<br />
Kong.<br />
Although the termination<br />
was abrupt and unfair,<br />
because of the 2 week rule<br />
there's almost no recourse to<br />
both file a complaint and<br />
immediately find a new job.<br />
Rudelie's case is an example<br />
of the unfairness and injustice<br />
that thousands of foreign<br />
domestic helpers find themselves<br />
facing in Hong Kong.<br />
Different foreign workers<br />
associations of Indians, Indonesians,<br />
Thais, Malaysians,<br />
Nepalese and of<br />
course <strong>Filipino</strong>s, have banded<br />
together to formally<br />
complain against the 2 week<br />
rule since the late 1990s. But<br />
the HK SAR has stuck to its<br />
guns, allowing this discriminatory<br />
and racist policy to<br />
The Sunday Beauty Queen(s) in our lives<br />
continue.<br />
A comprehensive article<br />
entitled Maid in Hong<br />
Kong: Protecting Foreign<br />
Domestic Workers explained<br />
clearly how the 2 week<br />
rule is unjust: “Beyond<br />
cramped housing conditions,<br />
the isolation of domestic<br />
workers means that abuses<br />
by employers often go unrepor-ted.<br />
A 2013 survey conducted<br />
by another Hong<br />
Kong based group, Mission<br />
for Migrant Workers,<br />
found that 58 percent of the<br />
more than 3,000 workers<br />
surveyed had experienced<br />
verbal abuse in the home, 18<br />
percent physical abuse and 6<br />
percent sexual abuse.”<br />
The report continues.<br />
“Another policy, the 'two<br />
week rule', mandates that<br />
once foreign domestic workers<br />
quit or are let go, that<br />
they must depart Hong Kong<br />
within two weeks. This policy,<br />
critics say, discourages<br />
domestic workers from seeking<br />
justice in fear that they<br />
could lose their jobs. It also<br />
makes finding a new<br />
employer difficult, as this<br />
process can take from four to<br />
six weeks. Moreover, a visa<br />
extension, the length of<br />
which varies by case, costs<br />
HK $190 (US $24) and during<br />
the extension application<br />
period migrants cannot work<br />
and must pay for their housing<br />
and food. Many domestic<br />
workers, therefore,<br />
choose to stay silent about<br />
abuses.”<br />
Interestingly enough a<br />
possible solution also came<br />
from one of the victimized<br />
helpers in the documentary.<br />
She theorized that no less<br />
than our own Philippine<br />
Screengrab from YouTube / Tuko Film Productions.<br />
government, along with<br />
other nations like India,<br />
Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand<br />
and others, should<br />
negotiate on behalf of their<br />
workers with the Hong Kong<br />
authorities to abolish the 2<br />
week rule.<br />
Track Record<br />
SUNDAY BEAUTY<br />
QUEEN is another meaningful<br />
and significant creative<br />
contribution from executive<br />
producers Vincent R.<br />
Nebrida, Fernando Ortigas<br />
and E.A. Rocha. These<br />
are the same executive producers<br />
who brought us the<br />
historical hit HENERAL<br />
LUNA and the enchanting<br />
KANA THE DREAM-<br />
WEAVER. In a short period<br />
of time they have established<br />
a winning track record of<br />
award winning and critically<br />
acclaimed films.<br />
Director Babyruth Villarama's<br />
loving and supportive<br />
husband Chuck Gutierrez is<br />
both Producer and Editor.<br />
Chuck has added yet another<br />
BEST EDITING award from<br />
the MMFF to his wins at<br />
Cinemalaya, Cinema One<br />
and many others.<br />
Dexter Dela Peña as cinematographer<br />
also deserves<br />
credit for being able to make<br />
everyday scenes more cinematic.<br />
Even though it was a<br />
run and gun style we were<br />
able to see the character of<br />
the city and more importantly,<br />
the beauty of the contestants.<br />
Babyruth must have<br />
also handled the secondary<br />
camera. The trio of<br />
Babyruth, Dexter and Chuck<br />
have already been together<br />
for several projects, including<br />
JAZZ IN LOVE,<br />
another documentary that<br />
was part of Cinemalaya in<br />
2013.<br />
Invaluable<br />
Watching SUNDAY<br />
BEAUTY QUEEN is so<br />
enriching and educational in<br />
so many ways and on so<br />
many levels. There are many<br />
touching moments between<br />
the families that helpers literally<br />
care for. Employers<br />
address Leo as 'he', even if<br />
he is biologically a woman.<br />
They see him as who he is,<br />
as a person. If you bring<br />
every family member, every<br />
maid, yaya, kusinera and<br />
labandera to this movie then<br />
you will all come out richer<br />
for it. Respect and kindness<br />
truly goes a long way.<br />
Leo uses the earnings<br />
from the pageants to help<br />
domestic helpers who were<br />
abused and need emergency<br />
assistance. In truth, he has<br />
given those who participate<br />
in them and even those who<br />
watch something more valuable.<br />
He has given them a<br />
chance to see and feel the<br />
beauty they have. You can<br />
see the pride in the costumes<br />
and dances, unique to their<br />
provinces and hometowns in<br />
the Philippines. This pride<br />
extends not just to participants,<br />
but to the audiences as<br />
well.
10 <strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong> ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong><br />
By LORELEI B. AQUINO<br />
Mom On A Mission<br />
In today's digital world<br />
online connectivity has<br />
become an important and<br />
indispensable component<br />
of our everyday lives.<br />
Online predators and<br />
cybercriminals, however,<br />
are constantly lurking on<br />
social networking sites,<br />
ready to pounce on their<br />
unsuspecting victims at the<br />
first opportunity.<br />
It is important to note,<br />
though, that most cybercrimes<br />
are made possible<br />
by the netizens themselves<br />
- through the seemingly<br />
harmless act of cyber sharing.<br />
As a cyber Pinoy how<br />
can you protect yourself,<br />
your loved ones, your<br />
home or your business?<br />
Here are some tips<br />
to help you stay on<br />
the safe side of cyberspace.<br />
1. Don't post any personal<br />
information that<br />
could be used to steal<br />
your identity. According<br />
to the Internet World<br />
Stats as of June 2016, 54<br />
million <strong>Filipino</strong>s (or 52.6%<br />
of our total population) are<br />
internet users. There are 47<br />
million active Facebook<br />
accounts. Along with<br />
Brazil, the Philippines tops<br />
the daily time spent online<br />
using a PC or tablet with 5<br />
hours and 12 minutes, the<br />
highest among many countries.<br />
At 3.7 hours we also<br />
top the list of countries<br />
with the most time spent on<br />
social media each day. And<br />
with a data consumption of<br />
about <strong>15</strong>0k terabytes annually<br />
we are fast developing<br />
into a land of online data<br />
guzzlers. With that vast<br />
potential audience that<br />
stays online longer, we<br />
need to be extra careful<br />
about what we put out<br />
there.<br />
How to be a responsible and cautious cyber Pinoy:<br />
The Do’s and Dont’s<br />
of Cyber Sharing<br />
weapons to use against us.<br />
3. Don't flaunt pictures<br />
of your personal possessions<br />
or property. The<br />
Philippines ranked 39th<br />
globally in 2014 on internet<br />
threat activities, based on<br />
the annual report of<br />
Symantec Internet Security<br />
Threat. Seeing pictures<br />
of your mansions,<br />
flashy cars, sparkly jewelry,<br />
etc. might be too difficult<br />
for these online predators<br />
to resist.<br />
4. Don't divulge any<br />
information that could<br />
compromise the safety of<br />
your home or business.<br />
According to the 2014-<br />
20<strong>15</strong> Cybercrime Report of<br />
the Department of Justice's<br />
Office of Cybercrime,<br />
cyberespionage attacks<br />
or intellectual property<br />
theft are on the rise as a<br />
major threat. 31% of<br />
the attacks in recent<br />
years were directed<br />
against small businesses.<br />
information to the leaked<br />
data that the hackers have<br />
already amassed about us.<br />
6. Don't be too comfortable<br />
sharing anything<br />
with someone you just<br />
met online. Identity<br />
thieves can easily create<br />
fake profiles in order to<br />
obtain personal information<br />
that should have been private.<br />
7. Do secure your social<br />
media accounts. Your<br />
security setting should not<br />
allow you to share everything<br />
with the 'public'.<br />
Swift (or the Society for<br />
Worldwide Interbank<br />
Financial Telecommunication)<br />
stated last year<br />
that “a wider and highly<br />
adaptive campaign” was<br />
underway targeting banks.<br />
From the last quarter of<br />
20<strong>15</strong> until the first quarter<br />
Print • Web • Tablet • Facebook<br />
of 2016, Philippine banks<br />
were the target of cyberattacks<br />
from foreign hackers.<br />
Also, following the release<br />
of the ruling on the arbitration<br />
case filed by the<br />
Philippines against China<br />
last year, 68 Philippine<br />
government websites were<br />
subjected to various forms<br />
of cyberattacks. In retaliation,<br />
Anonymous Philippines,<br />
a loosely associated<br />
network of <strong>Filipino</strong> hacktivists,<br />
hacked and defaced<br />
more than 200 Chinese<br />
websites. The University<br />
of the Philippines, DZ-<br />
MM and many others were<br />
also targeted. We can never<br />
be too vigilant or too cautious.<br />
8. Do read everything<br />
you want to share before<br />
clicking the share button.<br />
Avoid spreading click and<br />
link baits as these could<br />
launch malicious software<br />
or viruses that damage<br />
computers.<br />
9. Do fact check from<br />
reliable sources any information<br />
you feel the need<br />
to share online. The<br />
Philippine National Police<br />
Anti-Cybercrime Group<br />
(PNP-ACG) has reported a<br />
total of 1,211 cybercrime<br />
complaints covering the<br />
years 2013-20<strong>15</strong>. Online<br />
libel is the top 2 complaint.<br />
10. Do teach your children<br />
about safety precautions<br />
when using the<br />
internet. They should<br />
know how to spot and deal<br />
with online predators that<br />
prey particularly on children.<br />
Our deep-rooted<br />
problem of poverty, coupled<br />
with the failure of the<br />
law enforcement agencies<br />
in the Philippines to fully<br />
protect the children under<br />
RA 9262 (Anti-Violence<br />
Against Women and<br />
Children), RA 7610<br />
(Child Abuse Law) and<br />
RA 9775 (Anti-Child<br />
Pornography Act of<br />
2009), attracts international<br />
pedophiles and child<br />
pornographers to come<br />
here, abuse our children<br />
and make money from it.<br />
UNICEF says that the<br />
Philippines is “the number<br />
one global source of child<br />
pornography”.<br />
11. Do share links and<br />
articles that will only<br />
inspire, empower, entertain,<br />
educate and bring<br />
good vibes to the social<br />
media universe.<br />
filipinonews.nz; pinoynzlife.nz<br />
2. Don't share your<br />
exact location at any<br />
given time. While other<br />
countries have already<br />
developed cyberwarfare<br />
armories to address the<br />
growing threat of increasingly<br />
sophisticated cyberattacks,<br />
the Philippines has,<br />
over the years, been regarded<br />
as a cybercrime hotspot<br />
or a haven for crimes committed<br />
online due to its<br />
weak cybersecurity. We<br />
need not equip these cyber<br />
criminals with more<br />
5. Don't share information<br />
about your<br />
travel documents. A<br />
massive breach in the<br />
Comelec's database<br />
happened just days<br />
before the national<br />
elections in May 2016.<br />
The personal data of<br />
more than 55 million<br />
registered voters was<br />
leaked online, making<br />
each voter susceptible<br />
to fraud and other<br />
risks. There is no need<br />
to provide additional<br />
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<strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong>. ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong> 11<br />
FAITH<br />
CORNER<br />
By Brendan<br />
& Elly<br />
Roberts<br />
The US election euphoria<br />
is dying down with a new<br />
president taking office. On<br />
one side of the great divide<br />
you have those in ecstasy or<br />
relief and on the other those<br />
in despair. Then we should<br />
not forget those who didn't<br />
really care who won.<br />
Many of us were perched<br />
on the edges of our seats<br />
during the election, because<br />
there was so much at stake.<br />
The secular media tended<br />
to portray Donald Trump<br />
as hating all women,<br />
Hispanics and even homosexuals.<br />
Even the NZ<br />
Herald reprinted US media<br />
reports which claimed that<br />
it was “impossible” for<br />
Trump to win as Hillary<br />
Clinton was leading in<br />
most polls. An opinion<br />
piece in the NZ Herald to<br />
US President Donald Trump<br />
their credit showed how the<br />
mainstream media pitched<br />
relentless propaganda with<br />
“misinformation” and “cynical<br />
reshaping of the truth”<br />
at the American public.<br />
Many ordinary Americans<br />
who don't follow the secular<br />
media were never polled<br />
according to the same article,<br />
because they “don't<br />
count in the liberals' eyes”.<br />
Therefore it was the educated<br />
who mattered in the<br />
polls.<br />
Although the secular<br />
media reported that Clinton<br />
was pro-abortion they did<br />
not report that she supported<br />
the ghastly practice of<br />
partial birth abortion,<br />
which is abortion up to<br />
birth. This came out in both<br />
the vice presidential debate<br />
and the last debate between<br />
Clinton and Trump.<br />
Many Americans were<br />
woken up to the fact that<br />
Hillary Clinton was continuing<br />
the attack on the<br />
Catholic Church and<br />
Christianity in general<br />
when she said that those<br />
who were against abortion<br />
should be forced to change<br />
their beliefs and as they<br />
saw the LGBT movement<br />
being promulgated by<br />
Obama to the extent of<br />
men or women being able<br />
to use the restrooms and<br />
shower blocks of the sex<br />
they most adhered to, even<br />
being able to share such<br />
accommodation when on<br />
field retreats.<br />
Furthermore Obama Care<br />
forced religious institutions<br />
to provide for contraception<br />
Trump gives<br />
pro-life<br />
movement<br />
much hope.<br />
and even abortifacients in<br />
their healthcare plans for<br />
their staff. Obama even<br />
went to the extent of<br />
redefining a religious institution<br />
as those who only<br />
cared for those of their own<br />
denomination. This forced<br />
many states and even religious<br />
nuns to take the<br />
Obama Administration to<br />
court. Trump has promised<br />
to repeal Obama Care and<br />
replace it.<br />
On election day the number<br />
one search term with<br />
the name Hillary Clinton<br />
was 'abortion'. Clinton<br />
failed to see that many<br />
Americans would not support<br />
her since she favoured<br />
'partial birth abortion';<br />
abortion through all<br />
trimesters of a woman's<br />
pregnancy.<br />
Besides freedom of religious<br />
belief there was<br />
something else which was<br />
even more important on the<br />
line. It would have meant<br />
the continuing collapse of<br />
the United States as we<br />
know it, especially morally.<br />
It was continuing to redefine<br />
and thus change the<br />
constitution of the United<br />
States.<br />
The new president has<br />
the power to select two or<br />
three Supreme Court justices.<br />
In fact there is a<br />
vacant position on that<br />
bench currently. Donald<br />
Trump actually named 21<br />
pro-life candidates that he<br />
promised to pick from,<br />
while Hillary Clinton<br />
vowed to pick only proabortion<br />
candidates. For his<br />
presidential campaign<br />
Trump formed a Pro-life<br />
Coalition of 32 pro-life<br />
leaders, including Fr.<br />
Frank Pavone of Priests<br />
for Life.<br />
Many of us were shocked<br />
when the US Supreme<br />
Court allowed the redefinition<br />
of marriage, which is<br />
popularly labelled 'same<br />
sex marriage'. But when<br />
you change the definition<br />
of something you change<br />
its entire meaning. Thus<br />
marriage as we know it as<br />
Christians as being a<br />
covenantal relationship<br />
between a man and a<br />
woman open to the<br />
supreme gift of life was<br />
redefined and thus the<br />
meaning has been changed.<br />
continues on pg 12<br />
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12 <strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong> ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong><br />
Sinulog <strong>2017</strong>, <strong>15</strong>th <strong>January</strong>, North Shore Events Centre, Auckland.<br />
Miracles aplenty, pageantry,<br />
dancing queens and street food<br />
By SHEILA MARIANO<br />
Oscar Batucan, Event<br />
Organiser.<br />
FMN: Pang ilang years<br />
nyo na po ba ito ino-organize<br />
ang Sinulog?<br />
OSCAR: For 24 years.<br />
FMN: Are you the<br />
founder and the organiser<br />
of the event throughout this<br />
time?<br />
OSCAR: Since the<br />
beginning. We arrived in<br />
New Zealand in 1986 and<br />
the following year we<br />
established Sto. Nino. It<br />
took a while. We started<br />
with about 200 people, but<br />
now there are thousands.<br />
FMN: Are you happy<br />
with the attendance this<br />
year?<br />
OSCAR: This year a<br />
couple thousand more people<br />
attended. During the<br />
mass all the chairs were<br />
occupied and some had to<br />
stand.<br />
FMN: Has the 9-day<br />
novena moved to St.<br />
Patricks Cathedral?<br />
OSCAR: Yes, we have<br />
been holding the novena<br />
there for the last three years<br />
because of the size of the<br />
cathedral.<br />
FMN: Are the people<br />
attending the novena mainly<br />
from Cebu or from<br />
everywhere?<br />
OSCAR: Everywhere.<br />
When we ask devotees why<br />
they attend the Sinulog festival<br />
they tell us that the<br />
Infant Jesus has done miracles<br />
for them. A lot of<br />
women pray to get pregnant<br />
and have a family.<br />
FMN: Has Sto. Nino<br />
granted you any miraculous<br />
Oscar and Miriam Batucan,<br />
‘Devotees of the Senyor Santo Nino Group’<br />
Jessica,<br />
Dela, Ema<br />
and Dr Oliver<br />
Samin<br />
Janet<br />
Espirito<br />
favours?<br />
OSCAR: Binigay nya ng<br />
magandang, it's everyday<br />
miracles - good health of<br />
mind and body at saka we<br />
can help other people yun<br />
ang mga miracles na binibigay.<br />
Janet Espirito, Devotee<br />
from West Auckland.<br />
FMN: Taga Cebu po ba<br />
kayo?<br />
JANET: Hindi, taga<br />
Panggasinan ako (laughing).<br />
FMN: Madalas po ba<br />
kayo uma-attend ng<br />
Sinulog?<br />
JANET: Every year.<br />
The Bernardo<br />
family came<br />
for the basket<br />
ball awarding<br />
FMN: Bakit?<br />
JANET: Maganda, saka<br />
ano masaya.<br />
Jessica, Dela and Ema<br />
(the nurses) and Dr.<br />
Oliver Samin.<br />
FMN: Do you come for<br />
Sinulog every year?<br />
DELA: Yes, every year,<br />
but this time we volunteered<br />
to be part of the medical<br />
team.<br />
FMN: How was it; any<br />
serious problems because<br />
of the hot weather?<br />
DELA: Wala naman pero<br />
mga nose bleeds lang. No<br />
serious problems.<br />
FMN: Will you volunteer<br />
again next year?<br />
DELA: Definitely, if all<br />
is well.<br />
Sinulog NZ Festival<br />
Queen <strong>2017</strong>:<br />
Congratulations to Kimberly<br />
Tabar who won the<br />
Sinulog NZ Festival Queen<br />
<strong>2017</strong> crown and Best in<br />
Gowns.<br />
Ma Lita Luz Zhao was<br />
PH Ambassador to NZ<br />
Jesus ‘Gary’ Domingo<br />
the 1st Runner Up<br />
and Miss Friendship.<br />
Carla Mae Bito-on<br />
was the 2nd Runner<br />
Up. Erica Soliman<br />
was Miss Photogenic.<br />
Krisha Ann<br />
Nunez was Most<br />
Popular.<br />
Above: Tibiao caterers from Wellington<br />
Above: Previous Sinulog Festival Queens<br />
Credit: Freelanzer Photography<br />
Centre: Sinulog supporters<br />
Left: Didi Verata, Philippine Airlines<br />
Below: Kimberly Tabar<br />
Credit: Freelanzer Photography<br />
Continues from pg 11<br />
Many Americans saw<br />
Trump as the better of two<br />
evils. It was alleged that he<br />
mistreated women. And it<br />
was incredible that the secular<br />
media attacked him by<br />
accusing him of hating<br />
homosexuals, when he has<br />
actually come out in support<br />
of them in the past.<br />
The same media also<br />
called him divisive because<br />
he planned to build a wall to<br />
keep out illegal immigrants<br />
and wanted to deport those<br />
who were criminals and<br />
Trump gives pro-life movement much hope<br />
illegally in the US. I know<br />
many Americans were upset<br />
with this rhetoric, because<br />
of their loved ones possibly<br />
being deported. Obama's<br />
government deported over<br />
2.5 million people from<br />
2009-20<strong>15</strong>.<br />
The new administration<br />
also sees a new dawn in<br />
relation to the United Nations.<br />
Under Obama the US<br />
often bullied other nations,<br />
particularly Catholic nations<br />
that sought to uphold<br />
their value for human life<br />
and particularly the unborn.<br />
This bullying tactic also<br />
meant coercing such<br />
nations to abstain from particular<br />
votes if they would<br />
not support their way. But<br />
Trump has already appointed<br />
a pro-life woman to be<br />
the US representative to the<br />
United Nations.<br />
As sore losers, the secular<br />
media continue to bash<br />
President Trump, but we<br />
believe that he will in fact<br />
bring to a halt much of the<br />
social engineering and<br />
oppressions of those with<br />
Christian beliefs that Obama<br />
forced on the American<br />
people and other nations.<br />
While the president often<br />
shoots from the hip and has<br />
said many deplorable things<br />
he, together with his very<br />
pro-life Vice President,<br />
gives the pro-life movement<br />
much hope.<br />
Editor: Elly grew up in<br />
Bohol and is the co-author<br />
of 'Worth the Chase:<br />
Finding Love God's Way'.<br />
She is a contributing writer<br />
for Kerygma Magazine and<br />
also very artistic, creating<br />
customisable name poems<br />
on demand.<br />
Brendan is the author of<br />
five books, ranging from<br />
love to science and religion<br />
and the crusades. Like Elly<br />
he has a passion for writing,<br />
living and sharing his<br />
Catholic faith with the<br />
world.<br />
Their books are available<br />
as eBooks on Amazon.com<br />
and as paperbacks in the<br />
Philippines and New<br />
Zealand.<br />
You can contact the writers<br />
by emailing: filipino<br />
news@xtra.co.nz
<strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong>. ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong> 13<br />
Migrant <strong>News</strong> Online: www.migrantnews.nz I FB page: Migrant <strong>News</strong> NZ; Migrant Job Search I Asian Migrant <strong>News</strong>: www.asia2nz.com I mobile: 027 495 8477<br />
At the University of Auckland there are<br />
dozens of young <strong>Filipino</strong> students pursuing<br />
degrees, be they undergraduate or<br />
postgraduate. A smooth transition from young<br />
students to young professionals; that is the<br />
dream.<br />
Also studying at the university are <strong>Filipino</strong><br />
postgraduate students - some are resident<br />
here and others from overseas - who are role<br />
models for many of the undergraduate students<br />
of the <strong>Filipino</strong> Students’ Association<br />
(FSA).<br />
Building their experience and prestige for<br />
their chosen career paths, they have chosen to<br />
study in Auckland for the social and political<br />
development of the Philippines as well.<br />
I have chosen to interview my Ates and Kuyas<br />
because I believe their stories should be<br />
heard. As they are the next generation at the<br />
helm of our futures, they are a few of the<br />
many who continue to thrive, defy, and<br />
progress for all the right reasons. Ready to<br />
take charge, and make a difference.<br />
First, let’s begin with introductions.<br />
ROLE MODELS<br />
FOR OUR<br />
UNDERGRADS<br />
PART 1<br />
THE POSTGRADUATES: (left to right) Analyn, Don, Gladys, Mark, Harold<br />
By MARIAH ALYSSA MEDEL, FMN Columnist<br />
GLADYS RABACAL is<br />
a postgraduate student<br />
studying towards her<br />
Masters in Development<br />
Studies. The social development<br />
of the Philippines,<br />
and of other developing<br />
countries is the main focus<br />
of her career. Previously a<br />
programme officer for<br />
Japan International Agency,<br />
social development<br />
has been filling her CV<br />
since day one post-her<br />
Bachelor’s degree. The<br />
Japan International Agency<br />
is, a Japanese agency which<br />
delivers social development<br />
programmes in the Philippines,<br />
her role with them<br />
mainly entailed handling<br />
“peace and development,<br />
maternal and child health.”<br />
A graduate of UP Diliman,<br />
she is a true academic and<br />
career woman.<br />
MARK PANGANIBAN<br />
is currently a business management<br />
student at the university,<br />
studying under the<br />
NZ Development scholarship.<br />
He was a member of<br />
the Presidential Management<br />
Staff, under President<br />
Noynoy Aquino prior to<br />
studying in Auckland.<br />
He graduated from the<br />
Univer-sity of the<br />
Philippines, Manila a year<br />
before working at<br />
Malacañang. At his alma<br />
mater, he also worked for<br />
two months as a technical<br />
officer for their English language<br />
and enrichment programme.<br />
DON PATRICK MAN-<br />
LANGIT was the previous<br />
President of the FSA, who<br />
continues to guide and help<br />
the new executives of the<br />
association.<br />
A graduate of UP Diliman,<br />
he also has a very<br />
impressive career and educational<br />
background, at a<br />
very young age.<br />
A professional landscape<br />
architect, he is pursuing further<br />
study with a Master’s<br />
Degree in Urban Planning<br />
and Urban Design at the<br />
University of Auckland. His<br />
hands on experience with<br />
urban planning and design<br />
has brought him a long way,<br />
from working for Century<br />
Properties and the Auckland<br />
Council, to now<br />
working as a tutor at the<br />
University of Auckland.<br />
ATTY. ANALYN AVI-<br />
LA is a feisty and fun-loving<br />
lawyer who continues<br />
to impress and awe the<br />
more we get to know her.<br />
Once an associate solicitor<br />
in the Office of the<br />
Solicitor General, her stay<br />
here is the beginning of a<br />
new career pathway.<br />
A true career woman, like<br />
all of our Ate’s, she went<br />
from probinsyana to a<br />
Manila lawyer defying<br />
stereotypes and showing<br />
voracious determination to<br />
be more than average.<br />
From Sta. Lucia, Ilocos<br />
Sur, she took an alternative<br />
route than the usual off-to-<br />
Manila pathway fresh High<br />
School graduates often<br />
took. Instead, she went to<br />
Baguio City to study at<br />
Saint Louis University, the<br />
largest university north of<br />
Manila and one of the<br />
Philippines’ most respected<br />
and leading educational<br />
institutions.<br />
HAROLD AQUINO is<br />
an instructor at his alma<br />
mater, the University of the<br />
Philippines-Diliman.<br />
There he also graduated<br />
with a Bachelor of Science<br />
in Civil Engineering, cum<br />
laude. He is currently a PhD<br />
student at the University of<br />
Auckland, when he’s not<br />
too busy going around Asia<br />
and representing the Philippines<br />
in various seminars,<br />
competitions and what<br />
not. We call him ‘#goals’<br />
which he is also bashful<br />
about, but it is true because<br />
he helps us stay in check<br />
with our progress. He continues<br />
to challenge us and<br />
impart his knowledge and<br />
experiences, to help us<br />
grow and learn, like the true<br />
teacher he is.<br />
continues on page 14
14 <strong>15</strong>- 31 JAN <strong>2017</strong> ISSUE 95 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong><br />
ANALYN: “Since my<br />
intention is to get an LLM<br />
on environmental law, of<br />
course I want to get it from<br />
a country which is a pioneer<br />
in environmental protection.<br />
I think NZ is, if not,<br />
one of the top countries<br />
which has strong policies<br />
on environmental protection.<br />
It’s even better than<br />
Germany I think and other<br />
European countries. So<br />
that’s it.”<br />
MARK: “I chose Auckland<br />
first, maybe because of<br />
the language. Because I<br />
wanted to study in an<br />
English speaking country. I<br />
think that makes it easier to<br />
communicate with people.<br />
“Because I also wanted to<br />
study business; I wanted to<br />
get away from my current<br />
education background. Because<br />
I studied political science<br />
and I worked in government.<br />
So I wanted to<br />
check out other opportunities.<br />
“It’s really my dream to<br />
study abroad, because I<br />
believe that when you go<br />
out of your country and<br />
explore other cultures and<br />
other places it will really<br />
widen your horizon. Because<br />
if you only stick to<br />
your country, the beliefs<br />
Pinoy postgraduates speak out:<br />
WHY AUCKLAND?<br />
WHY STUDY ABROAD?<br />
that you have will be confined<br />
only to the country<br />
you are in.<br />
“If you go to other places<br />
you get to appreciate more<br />
the different knowledge and<br />
the different cultures, and it<br />
allows you to further enrich<br />
your skills and unlock your<br />
potentials when you go to<br />
these places. Also when you<br />
live alone you get to know<br />
yourself more and explore<br />
more of yourself and your<br />
capabilities. It helps you in<br />
your personal growth.”<br />
HAROLD: “I think that<br />
it’s a given that when you<br />
begin your PhD you go outside<br />
so that you can bring in<br />
a lot of new knowledge and<br />
new learnings from other<br />
parts of the world.<br />
“What brought me to<br />
New Zealand exactly is<br />
their expertise in disaster<br />
management, particularly<br />
earthquakes. New Zealand<br />
is the hub of operations in<br />
the Pacific islands like Fiji,<br />
Tonga and Vanuatu. Because<br />
they typically experience<br />
strong cyclones and<br />
hurricanes, and NZ yung<br />
base ng mga operations.”<br />
GLADYS: “Gusto ko<br />
kasing, magpursue ng postgraduate<br />
studies abroad.<br />
Ang unang requirement ko<br />
is dapat English-speaking<br />
country siya. That made me<br />
decide na New Zealand,<br />
and the availability of the<br />
scholarship, hindi mas<br />
marami, pero hindi kasi sila<br />
exclusive. Kasi other scholarships<br />
kailangan government<br />
employee ka, pero sa<br />
scholarship na ino-offer ng<br />
New Zealand embassy is<br />
open to all.<br />
“Eh, I am not a government<br />
employee because I<br />
work in a bilateral agency.<br />
Kumbaga, yung chances of<br />
getting a scholarship is<br />
okay sa NZ kasi hindi sila<br />
selective.”<br />
DON:<br />
“So ang<br />
system sa<br />
New Zealand<br />
Aid<br />
scholarship,<br />
is<br />
50% private 50% government,<br />
so parang may edge<br />
yung mga taga private, private<br />
employees na makapag-apply.<br />
So, initially for<br />
me naman, actually second<br />
choice ko yung New<br />
Zealand, kasi nagapply ako<br />
for Australia tapos yung<br />
nga, medyo priority nila<br />
yung government. Pero,<br />
I’m very happy naman na<br />
nandito ako sa Auckland.”<br />
I had interviewed Gladys<br />
and Don together, both<br />
were from the private sector.<br />
They also had similar<br />
sentiments as to why they<br />
wanted to study abroad.<br />
The general answer to the<br />
question truly was the experience<br />
of it. Because the<br />
experience entails so much,<br />
most importantly the wider<br />
perspective and openness<br />
you gain from it.<br />
No matter what you<br />
study, venturing out of your<br />
comfort zone and mingling<br />
with people of different cultures,<br />
values, and beliefs<br />
truly imparts valuable lessons<br />
that you normally<br />
don’t get by staying in one<br />
place and following the<br />
same routines over and over<br />
again.<br />
Interviewing<br />
these postgrads<br />
gave me the<br />
opportunity to<br />
know them better,<br />
listen to<br />
their stories. It<br />
was valuable to<br />
me because I<br />
am still at the<br />
starting point of<br />
the career and<br />
education path<br />
that I have chosen.<br />
When I interviewed<br />
them I was not<br />
alone, I had a fellow undergrad<br />
sitting with me and<br />
joining the discussion. It<br />
reminded us of why we<br />
were at university in the<br />
first place, it wasn’t just to<br />
get a job in the future, we<br />
came here for the experience<br />
as well. One that only<br />
university life can offer.<br />
Editor – Part 2 of this<br />
article follows in the next<br />
edition.<br />
Print, web, tablet, mobile,<br />
and facebook:<br />
www.migrantnews.nz<br />
migrantnews@xtra.co.nz<br />
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