MIGRANT NEWS OCT 2020

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This Filipina’s
OPINION
By Dr Lilia Sevillano
A few days back, hubby and I
were watching TV and an ad for
the two coming referendums
came on. At the end of it I turned
to him and said. “It’s amazing
how we take voting for granted.
It’s hard to imagine a time when
minorities and women could not
vote. What great times we live
in!”
We are fortunate to live in a
time and in a country where voting
is an important part of life
every 3 years. Yet many of us take
it for granted and do not actually
exercise this right. Sadly this has
The Right to Vote
left many of our citizens, particularly
the youth, apathetic about
how issues are resolved.
Many seem to think that their
vote will not matter in a sea of
other hundreds or thousands of
votes. If you are of that mentality,
think again.
Did you know that one more
vote could decide which party (in
the case of New Zealand) or candidate
(in the case of countries
with presidential elections like the
Philippines) wins? That one vote
– yours – could actually tip the
balance for one side.
The other day I attended the
campaign launch of one political
party at my local electorate. As I
sat there observing the supporters
streaming in, I realized that the
majority were either middle-aged
or elderly.
There were a handful of young
ones, but these were part of the
campaign group. Where were the
‘young’ voters? The dismal lack
of representation of said group
seemed to reflect the apathy I
mentioned earlier.
It had me thinking and reminiscing
about my own youth. To
be honest, elections then seemed
an event that did not really concern
me or my immediate concerns
or interests. And I don’t
think that attitude has changed
much, regardless of where in the
world one lives.
This was confirmed when some
young people were interviewed
recently on TV about voting.
Most of the responses seemed to
reveal that they didn’t see how it
could make a real difference to
them. And the second main reason
was that they were not
informed enough.
I myself only began to take an
interest as I gained more years of
life experience and a better understanding
of the significance of
voting. Perhaps what is needed
for the younger population is a
more proactive provision of educational
awareness?
The coming elections are
important – as important as previous
elections - and if there are
young readers taking the time to
read this, I urge you to exercise
the right to vote.
Collectively, if enough people
vote, a difference can be made
and you can be heard. We also
finally have representation for
Filipinos in the two main political
parties.
Yet another indication of how
fortunate we are to be in living in
New Zealand. Voting these days
has become so much easier: we
can vote earlier than the actual
date, there are voting booths conveniently
located everywhere,
there really is no reason not to
take a few minutes
– because that’s all
it actually takes.
In the final analysis,
vote based on
your conscience and
on who you think
will genuinely best
move the people’s
and nation’s welfare
forward, not on who
is most popular or
who kissed the most
babies or what the
polls claim or who your family or
friends are voting for.
Case in point, hubby and I are
each voting for different parties.
There will probably be friendly
banter and ribbing if either one of
our choices wins.
If you haven’t yet decided (and
there is time), this requires, I
think, a balance of using heart and
mind, listening to all sides and
doing your own research to help
you reach an informed decision.
But do not let that vote go unused.
So many before us were deprived
of this opportunity and in some
societies still are. Let’s not waste
ours.
Dr Lilia Sevillano is a professional
Life Coach.
As more Filipino-Kiwis voice concerns,
will their voter turnout surge?
By Queenie Lee Tanjay
On 17th October New
Zealand permanent residents
and citizens will
exercise their right to
select the next set of leaders
in the 2020 general
elections.
Although migrants are a
minority of the population,
their participation
has been more critical
than ever due to the pressing
issues present, such as
the global pandemic.
In this regard, some
Filipino migrants have
shed light on their personal
insights about voting
and their various inclinations.
"It's essential to make
our opinions/preferences
heard through our voting
rights. Undoubtedly democracy
matters for the
overall electoral results as
we are part of a wider bigger
change going forward
and in the near future,"
Jayvee Lagunda, an active
voter since her migration
here ten years ago, shared.
"It gives me the voice to
(from left to right:) Dorothea Hawkins, Meggy Bartlett-McBride, Leigh Vidamo and Jayvee Lagunda
express what I think and
the changes that I hope
for," Leigh Vidamo,
another registered voter,
concurred.
With the vast array of
platforms promoted
today, migrants weigh up
different programs and
contemplate how each
benefits the migrant population
at large.
"I'm interested in housing
projects that make living
affordable for more
people.
“My vote goes to platforms
related to arts too,
as most opportunities for
younger generations only
include Pasifika or Maori,
but not Asians/Filipinos,"
Leigh shared.
On the other hand
Jayvee enumerates more
than a handful of the projects
she's interested in.
"(1) Covid19 response to
continue to support small
businesses affected by
Covid through wage subsidy.
(2) Justice for keeping
our communities safe
and support for victims of
violence. (3) A boost in
health funding (cancer,
mental health, viruses).
(4) The transportation
infrastructure (effective
ways to counter traffic
congestion and opening
job opportunities for civil
construction). (5) Helping
our whanau with warmer
healthier homes. (6) The
promotion of living with
dignity and good wellbeing."
"There's a large group
of nurses, technical and
construction workers,
migrant families and
related people supporting
these platforms who will
surely benefit from all of
these," Jayvee continued.
Moving forward, migrants
still feel hopeful for
better days, regardless of
the surrounding uncertainty
in the future, they
regard their votes as
sacred and as instrumental
in driving changes.
"We look forward to
platforms that continuously
help grow the economy
and support small and
major businesses.
“Completing these projects
will definitely make a
huge impact and a positive
difference," Jayvee
concluded.
“Just like everyone else,
we Filipinos would like to
elect a government that
can improve conditions so
that we can all move forward
as a nation,” says
Dorothea Hawkins, coordinator
of the Southland
Filipino Society Inc.
“But migrants also tend
to choose candidates that
promise to improve the
welfare of migrants and to
make their settlement in
New Zealand easier.
“For many Filipinos
immigration is a key concern.
They would like to
see the incoming government
implement favourable
policies that can
assist Filipinos to gain residency.
Another concern is
the housing situation as
many Filipinos are trying
to buy a house in
Invercargill.”
“It is so important for
us to vote as it is the way
for ethnic New Zealanders
to participate in the democratic
process and to
determine who is going to
govern this country,” says
Meggy Bartlett-McBride,
co-ordinator of the
Southland Multicultural
Council. “Our voices need
to be heard and I guess
that’s why we have so
many Filipino candidates
in this election aspiring to
become politicians.
“I believe that immigration
matters are of great
concern to a lot of
Filipinos.
“We’d like to see the
government implementing
more consistent policies
that will benefit both
migrants and New
Zealand.”