Filipino News 161 July 2022

BUHAY
NZ
08 ISSUE 161 6th HERO AWARDS | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz | MOB: 027 495 8477
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SUPPORTED BY:
PLATINUM SPONSORS - 6TH FILIPINO-KIWI HERO AWARDS 2022
SPONSOR OF THE
COMMUNITY GROUP
OF THE YEAR
GOLD
SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
Enrico’s Lechon
TOP COMMUNITY GROUP:
The Igorotak NZ group from Palmerston
North is led by Mendi Kipaan Julian, the
President.
This group, which started in 2017, aims to
unite Filipino Igorots in New Zealand and to
promote cultural awareness through various
programs and events.
They are a stand-out group because they
have gone the extra mile – helping not only
their members here, but also people in the
Philippines affected by landslides during
typhoons.
“Thank you Celso Roger Baldo for nominating
us and sharing our story. We would
like to thank our sponsors and donors for our
team performance,” said Julian.
COMMUNITY LEADER:
Leah Baterbonia is a tireless community
leader from Hawkes Bay.
Evident from her immersive kawanggawa
works in the Philippines and New Zealand
throughout the years, Leah is undeniably a
good role model for community leadership.
Since 2007, when she came to New
Zealand, she has been involved in projects
which have benefited migrants.
Filipino-Kiwi Hero of the Year: Dr Lira Lecias
Dr Lira Lecias is a front-line Health
Professional from Auckland.
Leah handles some challenging roles - a
Philippine radio announcer, a Justice of the
Peace, a Multicultural Association board
member, an environmental advocate and a
Filipino Language and Culture Class facilitator.
She is quoted in Filipino News NZ as saying:
“I have a good heart for people; receiving
thanks is payment enough.”
YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT:
M i g u e l
Manaig is a
university student
from Rotorua.
Miguel demonstrates
how
you can excel in
your studies and
also make time
for community
service. He
made headlines
when he represented
his school in the Annual Race Unity
Speech event. Since then he has been invited
to be a guest speaker at a Rotary Club
Meeting and is actively involved in the
Rotorua Multicultural Council.
Last year Dr Lira launched a
media campaign to encourage
Kiwis to get vaccinated and keep
their family and friends safe.
It all began when she wrote an
open letter to all New Zealanders
in honour of her beloved mother,
the late Lilia Gamboa, about her
family’s experience with COVID
in the Philippines.
The heartfelt letter appeared as
a cover story in Filipino News NZ,
The Sunday Herald and the New
Zealand Doctor magazine.
It turned out that Dr Lira
became the accidental poster girl
of the Covid education programme
in New Zealand.
Kiwis have deep gratitude for
the bravery of each and every
frontline medical staff member
who helped us get through the pandemic.
Maraming, maraming salamat
po.
“I thank Tita Sheila Mariano and Tito Mel
Fernandez for being instrumental in recognising
Filipino talent here in New Zealand.
To Ate Queenie Tanjay for acknowledging
my achievements and featuring me in one of
her articles.
“I also acknowledge those who supported
me in all my endeavours: Tita Romelyn
Fernandez Ybanez Garde and the Philippine
Club Rotorua, Miss Keri Hay and all my
teachers at Rotorua Boys’ High School, my
speech coach Mr Brian Gillespie and Dr
Margriet Theron and Multicultural Rotorua.”
PINOY CHEF OF THE YEAR:
Romelyn
Fernandez
Garde from
Rotorua is a
professional
chef who
manifests
her compassion
through
a series of
community
services.
She is an
active member
of the
Philippine Club of Rotorua, the Rotorua
Multicultural Council and the Rotorua
Council, to name a few.
Within Romelyn the spirit of volunteerism
is very much alive
FASHION SUPREMO:
Frances
Martirez - the
Fashion Designer
of the
Year - is a
fashion giant
with HQ Fashion
her highprofile
brand.
She has
worked with
some of New
Zealand’s top
designers.
For many
years her stunning Philippine costumes have
been featured in numerous fashion shows in
Auckland and even in our Hero Awards.
Frances is a great supporter of the Filipino
community.
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD:
Jeths Lacson of Epiphany Cafe in
Hamilton.
The Epiphany Cafe brand is now familiar
to Pinoys throughout New Zealand, because
the company has 60+ franchised and licensed
outlets nationwide.
They are now expanding their brand in
North America with the help of their USbased
investment company - Starfleet
Innotech.
The signature pillow-soft quality and the
wide range of donut flavours offered by the
company are world class, hence their popularity
both amongst Pinoys and Kiwis.
This is a business success story worth
emulating.
continues on page 9