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BUHAY<br />
NZ<br />
04 ISSUE <strong>172</strong> | FIESTA PILIPINAS | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.migrantnews.nz | Facebook: Migrant <strong>News</strong><br />
www.filipinoheroes.nz : Over a 120 <strong>Filipino</strong> Kiwi Heroes have been recognised over the years by <strong>Filipino</strong> <strong>News</strong> NZ.<br />
CHRISTCHURCH - In<br />
the heart of Christchurch<br />
a celebration of Philippine<br />
culture takes place every<br />
year. The brainchild of<br />
Delia Richards, Philippines<br />
Day has become a<br />
cornerstone of cultural<br />
exchange, fostering connections<br />
between the<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong> community and<br />
the rest of the diverse<br />
population of Christchurch.<br />
Delia is the founder of<br />
Philippine Culture and<br />
Migrant Services, has<br />
been involved in the<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong> community for<br />
decades and continues to<br />
promote Philippine cul-<br />
“Normally, when<br />
you have cultural<br />
shows, the usual<br />
thing is to sit<br />
down and listen<br />
to what is happening.<br />
That’s<br />
been done year in<br />
and year out. But<br />
this year we wanted<br />
everyone to participate<br />
and to interact,”<br />
Delia<br />
explains.<br />
“This year is the<br />
first time we<br />
urged people to<br />
participate in all<br />
the activities and<br />
one way to do this<br />
was to dress up in<br />
Festive fun at a <strong>Filipino</strong><br />
‘karnabal’ with dance, theatre,<br />
games and street food.<br />
By Ricky Matthew<br />
Esteemed Christchurch<br />
community leader,<br />
Delia Richards(above),<br />
is praised for a decade<br />
of dedicated service.<br />
She has been<br />
nomimated to recieve<br />
the ‘Community Leader<br />
of the Year’ Hero<br />
Award for 2024.<br />
ture to <strong>Filipino</strong> youth and<br />
the wider community.<br />
"The organisation was<br />
set up in 1996 and this<br />
Philippines Day event was<br />
initiated in the early 20s,”<br />
says Delia. “We are a nonprofit<br />
organisation with<br />
volunteers, so we are trying<br />
our best with what we<br />
have."<br />
Over the years the festival<br />
has grown into a massive<br />
celebration, drawing<br />
attendees from all corners<br />
of Christchurch. The<br />
event’s long history gives<br />
it a sense of richness, however,<br />
this blessing can also<br />
be a curse.<br />
“Every year is a challenge<br />
for us. We always<br />
have to think of something<br />
new. We can’t just<br />
repeat what we did last<br />
year and every year<br />
before,” Delia explains.<br />
To solve this problem<br />
Delia Richards comes up<br />
with a different theme<br />
every year. This year the<br />
theme is ‘Karnabal sa<br />
Christchurch'.<br />
The Philippines Day<br />
event featured dance performances,<br />
theatre and, of<br />
course,<br />
hearty<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong><br />
food. But<br />
the importance<br />
of the<br />
event goes<br />
beyond the<br />
entertainment.<br />
“This<br />
event is<br />
informative<br />
and educational.<br />
Via<br />
the event<br />
we can<br />
teach our kids<br />
our history and traditions<br />
so they are passed on to<br />
the next generation.<br />
“For the adults this year<br />
was about reminding us<br />
how we enjoyed the carnival<br />
back in the<br />
Philippines. This was a<br />
chance for <strong>Filipino</strong>s to<br />
come together as one.<br />
Although we are in<br />
Christchurch now, we can<br />
still retain our cultural<br />
identity through these<br />
events.<br />
“And this is not something<br />
that is going to be<br />
strange for non-<strong>Filipino</strong>s,<br />
because it is essentially a<br />
fun event. They saw some<br />
of the games that remind<br />
us <strong>Filipino</strong>s of home.<br />
Also, as we are in our<br />
integration phase, we<br />
incorporated some of the<br />
non <strong>Filipino</strong> games that<br />
are popular in Christchurch<br />
and New<br />
Zealand.”<br />
The carnival concept<br />
addresses the need for<br />
interaction in the learning<br />
process.<br />
Richards aims to educate<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong>s and locals<br />
about the culture through<br />
this unique approach.<br />
your cultural wear,” says<br />
Delia.<br />
Usually held at Victoria<br />
Square, the event has now<br />
moved to a bigger location<br />
due to the growing number<br />
of attendees.<br />
The event was held on<br />
Sunday 25th February at<br />
Ray Blank Park.<br />
“This event is leading<br />
up to the<br />
2 0 2 5<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong><br />
reunion.”<br />
Editor: Delia Richards<br />
has been nominated for<br />
the <strong>Filipino</strong> <strong>News</strong><br />
‘Community Leader of<br />
the Year 2024’ award.<br />
www.filipinoheroes.nz<br />
2024<br />
The <strong>Filipino</strong>-Kiwi Hero<br />
Awards is organised<br />
exclusively by<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong> <strong>News</strong> NZ.<br />
For more information and<br />
sponsorship enquries<br />
please contact us at:<br />
filipinonews@xtra.co.nz<br />
mob: 027 495 8477<br />
History of the <strong>Filipino</strong>-Kiwi Hero Awards.<br />
The inspiration for the <strong>Filipino</strong>-Kiwi Heroes hall of fame comes from a similar<br />
honours roll in the Philippines conferred by the Philippine Inquirer <strong>News</strong>paper.<br />
For a more detailed list of award winners over the years please visit the official<br />
website: www.filipinoheroes.nz, www.fiestapilipinas.nz<br />
We welcome nominations for the next <strong>Filipino</strong>-Kiwi Hero Awards.<br />
email: filipinonews @xtra.co.nz
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