Filipino News (Focus Pilipinas Edition) 2018

More documents

Recommendations

Info

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.
NEWSLINK. ISSUE 115 | www.filipinonews.nz | filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz | FB : Filipino Migrant News 09 FOCUS PILIPINAS BY JEREMAIAH OPINIANO EVERY seventh of June a Southeast Asian archipelago commemorates the 'heroism' of compatriots who have been visible reasons for the steady growth of their motherland's economy. The celebration is National Migrant Workers Day and the date's historicity was brought about by the passage of a law to protect the rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos and their families. That law, currently coded as Republic Act 10022, spells out regulations for labour migration and lays out the bureaucratic structure - found at home and abroad - that ensures safe and orderly overseas migration. The original law, RA 8042, was a result of the execution of a domestic worker in Singapore, Ms. Flor Contemplacion, in March 1995. That episode created diplomatic tension between the two countries, as well as national shame for a country that then had no enabling law for migrant A new Philippine future beside the exodus? workers' protection. The said law helped the Philippines lay out a program on labour export that (explicitly) facilitates Filipino workers' overseas placement in destination countries requiring certain skills. Decades since, having learned hard lessons since Contemplacion's execution, the Philippines has now 'excelled' in migration management. Filipinos are now in over 200 countries and territories, in all sorts of occupations, with their migration statuses either legal or irregular. Filipinos have contributed to countries' economic growth, especially countries facing demographic shortfalls and labour shortages. The estimated 10.3 million overseas Filipinos have (unfortunately) become the Philippines' top export. Their overseas migration is a response to the search for more gainful opportunities, what with the country's agriculture and manufacturing sectors still struggling and services being the top draw for homeland employment for nearly two decades. Remittances have been the reason for overseas Filipinos' symbolic tags as heroes since a formal labour export program began in 1974. From the 1970s to the mid-2000s remittances have helped shore up the homeland economy's fiscal issues, have mitigated the impacts of domestic unemployment and have somewhat helped buoy the Philippines' gross national product. That period, spanning just over three decades, saw the Philippines' macro-economic growth performance being referred to as 'boom and bust' —like a roller coaster, going up and down. Meanwhile, there is rising overseas migration (including that for overseas permanent residency, depending on the migration pathways countries offer to foreigners) and a concomitant rise of labour, welfare, human rights and crimi- Continued on page 10
Page 1 and 2: 1Number REACHING PINOYS ACROSS NZ F
Page 3 and 4: Photo Jun Mendoza NEWSLINK. ISSUE 1
Page 5 and 6: PH IN FOCUS : ISSUE 115 | www.filip
Page 10 and 11: 10 OPINION ISSUE 115 | www.filipino
Page 12 and 13: 12 SHOW BIZ ISSUE 115 | www.filipin
Page 14 and 15: 14 FILIPINO JOB BOARD : www.filipin
Page 16 and 17: 16 PH IN FOCUS : ISSUE 115 | www.fi

Filipino News (Focus Pilipinas Edition) 2018

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?