Filipino News (Focus Pilipinas Edition) 2018

08 MABUHAY ISSUE 115 | www.filipinonews.nz : pinoynzlfie.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | GIVE US A CALL : 027 495 8477
FOCUS PILIPINAS
BY LOUIE ENCABO
Kiwipinos Converge for the
Annual Philippine Festival
WELLINGTON
WELLINGTON - It’s a
daunting task to leave the
comforts of your country
of origin to migrate to a
foreign country, whose
culture is entirely different
from what you’ve
grown accustomed to. The
culture shock can induce
a feeling of alienation
among these migrants
and their most potent
remedy is to seek the company
of their compatriots
in their newfound countries
and to form a community
to give them the
semblance of being at
home.
The Filipino diaspora in
New Zealand, fondly
called 'Kiwipinos' (a portmanteau
of a Kiwi and a
Filipino), is no different. A
community of 50,000
strong Filipino migrants
and their progeny residing
in this Anglo-
Polynesian nation in the
South Pacific have
formed a vibrant, productive
community in their
new country – preserving
the culture and heritage
which their motherland
imparted unto them.
Part of their exercise of
community is by conducting
events that celebrate
the Filipino culture, one
of which is the annual
Philippine Festival, that is
held annually in Wellington.
While other similar
events are organised in
other parts of New
Zealand, the iteration in
the Capital City is the
most prominent due to the
scale of its production and
because it is located in the
country’s seat of government
as well.
Dubbed 'Fil-Trip', this
year’s edition was noted
as the biggest yet. There
was also a marked
increase in value with the
participation of the
Philippine Barangay Folk
Dance Troupe, a worldrenowned
clique that performs
traditional Filipino
folk dances.
Even prior to Fil-Trip,
the Dance Troupe engaged
with other Filipino
communities in other
cities in New Zealand,
embarking on a mini-tour
of the country. They presented
folk dances such as
the cariñosa and the
tinikling to an audience
comprised of Kiwipinos
and non-Filipinos alike.
At this year’s Wellington
festival, the group
showcased a full-length
show called 'Sayaw' –
where they portrayed the
evolution of different
Filipino dances throughout
history. It was a rich
cultural experience that
helped connect Kiwipinos
to their roots and introduced
the beauty of
Philippine arts to the foreigners
who were present.
It was not only the
dances that were on display;
our love for singing
also was showcased – as is
expected from Filipinos
on any occasion. Part of
Fil-Trip was 'Fil-Jam', an
open-mic session singing
well-loved Filipino songs
and accompanied by a
live band.
Besides the arts, the
faith which is a vital part
of the Filipino way-of-life
was also celebrated. In a
segment called 'Nation of
Faith' a prayer rally was
held alongside keynote
addresses from religious
community leaders in
MANILA
Wellington.
As a country where
90% of the people are
Christian and another
5% are Muslim, partaking
in religious commemorations
was important. It
would fall short of being
an authentic Filipino
experience without such
observances of faith.
And naturally, an exposure
to Filipino culture
would not be complete
without a banquet of
native cuisine.
Fil-Trip made sure that
it satisfied the appetites of
those who took part in the
event, with a showcase of
Filipino cooks and their
dishes in the 'Taste of
Home' portion of the
event.
Filipino food is a main
draw of Filipino culture,
offering foreigners an
eclectic blend of Malay
cuisine with sharp
Spanish and Chinese
influences that produces a
truly unique culinary
experience. There were
also several food vending
stalls present, allowing
visitors to bring home a
sample of the Filipino
dishes they had just tasted.
In summary, Fil-Trip
2018 proved to be a jubilant
and meaningful occasion
which featured a
truly authentic Filipino
experience. It was a celebration
of faith, food and
folk arts – the hallmarks
of Filipino identity.
The event was also celebrated
by thousands
(organisers estimated that
a total of 5,000 visitors
graced the event) of
Kiwipinos and non-
Filipinos, which allowed
them to reconnect with
their Filipino roots or
experience a culture that
was different from their
own.