maya issue 13

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Celebrating Filipino Life in New Zealand Issue 13| Dec 09

What a challenging year it has been!

The Philippines experienced one of its most wrenching calamities ever. We lost lives to Typhoon Ondoy. The heavy rains and flooding destroyed properties and left thousands of our kababayans homeless.

In New Zealand, the economic recession sent many of our kababayans home. Their dreams were shattered by unexpected news of redundancies and unemployment.

However, despite the trying times, the Filipino spirit remains resilient and caring.

In this issue, we’d like to honour and celebrate the efforts of our kababayans who are keeping the spirit of bayanihan alive. Thank you to AKLnzPinoy, Migrant Action Trust, Auckland Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy and Streetchildren & Orphans Trust for making our lives more meaningful.

May these groups inspire you to do good this season of giving. Have a happy and peaceful Christmas, everyone!

The season of giving

Editor Email [email protected]

2 Celebrating Filipino Life in New Zealand

AKLnzPINOY

Ask any AKLnzPINOYS member what the group is about and it is very likely the person would tell you what the group is not – first of all, it is not your typical hierarchical and structured organization. The thousand plus members are moderated, rather than led, by a group of volunteers, who manages its online activities and organizes its regular meetings throughout the year.

My interview with the group’s moderators started in true Pinoy fashion – a catch up on artista gossip and update on telenovelas. There is an atmosphere of barkadahan. It is quite obvious that these people genuinely like and respect each other.

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It is no surprise that the group’s foundation is that of friendship. Many of the founding members met in the Philippines while applying for their New Zealand entry visa. When they finally moved here, they flatted and explored Auckland together. From a small close-knit team of seven, the group has now over 1,200 members who count on each other to give advice on decisions as serious as buying a house to trivial matters like where to buy the best sans rival.

When asked why they do what they do, the answer came easy to all of the moderators.

Husband and wife tandem Jim and Bim Tenedero, more popularly known online as JimBim say in unison, “It is a labour of love.”

Indeed, it is. The group is a tremendous help to new migrants. They keep them informed of immigration policies and also educate them on the New Zealand’s way of life. Jun Dolon reckons membership is growing because the group discusses topics that are relevant, engaging and timely.

Founding members Jinkee Say and Beah Ulama share that there is a sense of fulfillment when they hear of members who have been

“ Pay it

forward Jun Dolon, Anthony Patricio and Jinky Say Beah Ulama

Carlo Jaminola Ervin Llacuna Bim & Jim Tenedero

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granted permanent residency. Carlo Jaminola adds, “Napakasarap ng pakiramdam na naakay mo sila... na nakakatulong ka pala.”

So, what inspires their commitment to the group? Anthony Patricio says that he can empathize with many of the members’ concerns, as he too, was once, a newbie.

Ervin Llacuna stresses that the group’s well-meaning advice and support is free of charge. The group agrees that this is something appreciated by many members.

In fact, it is the moderators themselves who sometimes have to shell out to keep the group motivated. Mauro Oreta is much loved by the group for his generosity. Ulama remembers, “Si Ka Uro ang laging nanglilibre sa min.” Oreta’s monicker Ka Uro befits him. Ka is an informal Filipino title that is usually given to the wise. He drives the group spirit of bayanihan.

Carina Ferrer, more fondly known as Snow White, is acknowledged for her hard work in helping organize group meetings. The most recent party attracted close to two hundred people.

The moderators of AKLnzPINOY are admirable in their sincerity and selfless service. It is people like them who will define the next generations of Filipinos in New Zealand.

Mauro and Jean Oreta

Fact Sheet Members as at Dec 2009

1,268

Founded:

February 14, 2006

Goals:

Meet old and new friends

Network

Share and compare experiences with other migrants on job search, residency application and settlement in Auckland

Help new migrants integrate

Join by signing up:

http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/AKLnzPINOYS/

Issue 13| Dec 09


Issue 13| Dec 09

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“One life. That is all I have. And with that life, I would like to make a difference.”

Since 2002, Agnes Granada has dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of migrants in New Zealand. As a coordinator at Migrant Action Trust, she has helped many migrants and refugees adjust to their new life in New Zealand.

“Initially, we wanted to know why it was so hard for migrants to find employment. Then we thought, why not start a group that would support fellow migrants like us? It is not just about helping a migrant with his job search, but also being able to help him fully integrate into the New Zealand community.”

This year, though not deliberate, Agnes found herself involved in some advocacy work. Public forums were organized to discuss the plight of temporary work permit holders who were affected by the economic recession.

“It was heartbreaking to hear stories of our kababayans who were being sent home. Together with Mel Libre, Dennis Maga,

MIGRANT ACTION TRUST

Kenneth Leong and Russell Wood, I met with Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman to discuss migrants’ concerns regarding temporary work permits. We also collected a petition among different ethnic groups, asking for these issues to be considered and reviewed by the government.”

So, what keeps her motivated? “ A sense of responsibility that whatever God has assigned to me, I have to give it my best shot.”

Agnes Granada (far left) with the Migrant Action Trust team.

How to contact Agnes @ Migrant Action Trust

Phone 6293500Email [email protected] Address161StoddardRd,MtRoskill

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Damages to properties and loss of lives due to heavy rains, flooding and landslides, Typhoon Ondoy destroyed thousands of homes and properties, but not the Filipino people’s generous spirit. As news of Mother Nature’s wrath hit the Internet, overseas Filipinos mobilized to collect relief goods to send to typhoon-stricken areas in Luzon.

In Auckland, the Auckland Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy (ACFC) led by Dicdic del Castillo received generous donations from the community and was able to ship a container-full of relief goods to the Philippines.

ACFC members gathered at the Good Shepherd Parish Church in Telford, Balmoral to sort and pack the relief goods.

To find out more about the group, please contact Rev Ruben Elago on 09 620 6517.

AUCKLAND CATHOLIC FILIPINO CHAPLAINCY

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Dicdic del Castillo (far left) and ACFC members


Street children & Orphans Trust Nanette Carillo’s dream is not that simple - she would like every homeless child in the Philippines to have an opportunity to live a better life. The Street Children and Orphans Trust is making this happen by helping at least 400 kids in the Philippines particularly in Bulacan, Batangas, Caloocan and Manila. The Trust aims to support these kids’ health and education.

Last month, the Trust organized Hope & A Future Concert to raise funds for their scholars and the establishment of a vocational training centre in the Philippines. Gospel singer Sista Jacqui and local groups WOW Life Ensemble, Philippine Christian Group, West City Christian Centre International Dance Group and Christ Side of CNCF put in a great show for a good cause. To contact Nanette, email her at [email protected]

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Filipinos in New Zealand have had the privilege to be among the first to join mooplace.com, a social networking site for Filipinos across the globe.

This comes as no surprise because mooplace.com is the project of retired Kiwi businessman Bob Carpenter.

Bob is the spouse of Edith Carpenter, who owns travel agency Planet Earth, and the couple is very active in Filipino community events across New Zealand.

Bob says the website, which he developed with the help of Filipino IT professionals based in New Zealand, provides the tools to allow members to build an online global community. Membership to mooplace is free.

“It is our very own social networking site. It is a place to have fun, meet and celebrate with fellow kababayans,” says Bob who considers himself a ‘Kiwinoy’.

The e-meeting place

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He and Edith have been married for more than 20 years and their two children Peter (17) and Jacqueline (13) were born in New Zealand, but join their parents in their annual visits to the Philippines.

Bob retired four years ago as an auctioneer, and was one of the first to develop a site for online auctions in New Zealand. He had initially wanted to develop a business website but Edith had encouraged him to do work on something that will help the Filipino community. “So this is what I have been doing instead of fishing and playing golf,” he says in jest.

The website is unmistakably Filipino, with a carabao as a motif, against a backdrop of the red, white, blue and yellow colours of the Filipino flag.

Bob says it took him a year to develop the website.

He wanted it to be different from other social networking websites for Filipinos, which he says were mainly ‘dating websites’.

He noted that Filipinos in New Zealand, for instance, congregate at certain events like the Sinulog festival, church gatherings and the annual Labour Day Weekend celebration. From talking to his Filipino friends, he learned they want a site where they can upload photos of their families, and their communities and places they have been to. They also want to

have links to YouTube where they can upload songs, comedy sketches and videos of events.

Bob explains the most popular postings in the site are videos and pictures of Manny Pacquaio, and OPM (Original Pilipino Music). “It is Filipino everything,” he says.

Bob says he and the team of Filipino IT specialists ensured that the site is secure and robust.

Other current features at Mooplace include:

- A Directory where members can share their business details - address, phone numbers and websites - to encourage members to use their services. - An Events section where members can list their events. Bob says the calendar is easy to use, categorised into countries, with search functions and a calendar. - A Photo section where members can upload up to 20 photos, five videos and five songs at a time. Every month, mooplace will hold a monthly photo competition. Members can post entries and vote for other members' photos. The first competition will be held in December, with the theme 'Family Holiday Photos'. Entries will be accepted until 31 December 2009, 12 noon NZDT.

He is also encouraging Filipinos to contribute to the blogs section, post comments and participate in forums.

Bob expects the section where people can create their own greeting cards will be very popular during this holiday season. Members can choose from several Christmas card designs and add their photos and email the finished card.

“It is a work in progress,” says Bob, as he will continue to add new features regularly, and listen to suggestions from members across the world.

Edith and Bob Carpenter

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Ethan Matthew Cuison visits Mount Whakapapa

Anna Theresa "Reese" Turingan christening at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hamilton

The University of the Philippines Alumni thanksgiving party at Sylvan Park, Auckland

+Brgy Pinoy

Maligayang Pasko, mga ka-barangay!

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I ♥ NZ

Maya is a free electronic newsletter distributed to the Filipino community in New Zealand. To submit photos, community-related announcements, feedback and requests for subscription, email [email protected]. We’re on Twitter, username mayanz; and Facebook: Maya Magazine New Zealand.

Maya Magazine would like to thank the following organisations for their support and contribution: AKLnzPINOYS, Council of Auckland Philippine Orgnisations (CAPO), Samu’t Sari Philippine Cultural Society and the University of the Philippines Alumni NZ.

Tree Adventures, Woodhill Forest, Auckland

Issue 13| Dec 09

maya issue 13

Documents

new zealand issue

new zealand aklnzpinoy

celebrating filipino

new migrants

filipino spirit

new zealand entry visa

group of volunteers

new zealands way of