Kumusta kayong lahat,

I hope you are in good health, as are my family and I, apart from the ongoing effects from shifting to the new shop. John and I knew it would be a big undertaking, but neither of us really appreciated how much work was involved. What with the planning and organising the new premises which took a lot of time, the actual move itself was real hard graft – I still have lots of boxes in storage in the house. Both John and myself are looking forward with eager anticipation to the day when we can say “it is done”, and finally sit down and relax – well as much as we ever do with all our other commitments.

I thank all those members of the committee and others who have covered for me over the last few months, ensuring the Society still functions smoothly.

Our Annual General Meeting is fast approaching as you are aware, where we are going to have an Election of Officers. Those people who are elected, take care and actively maintain our society during his or her term and are committed to the Society’s aims and objectives. I ask, nay beseech, everyone to attend on the evening of 15 June and seriously consider standing for office, as the more committee members we have the more we can achieve, and everyone’s load is lightened. Even if you cannot serve on the committee your vote and inpu is needed. We also have to start discussing and planning for Labour Weekend 2014 when your Society hosts the activities and competitions, and remember if you wish to take part in these you have to be financial members of the Society.

Again I thank the outgoing committee for their help and support throughout the year – I could not have done it alone.

See you at the AGM as your presence is needed and God Bless us all…

Ulinda Sandford
President

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Evanny Ibag was selected to represent New Zealand at the annual World Championships of Performing Arts later this year. (6 July 15 July 2012).

Team New Zealand will represent New Zealand for the sixth time at the 16th annual World Championships for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, California. Participants from over 40 countries are invited to compete at this prestigious event. Evanny will be leaving with TeamNew Zealand on the 30th of June 2012 and return to NewZealand on the 15th of July 2012 arriving in Auckland on 17 July 2012.

This is a very special opportunity for her to compete internationally and possibly furthering her career. This is a major accomplishment, which may only come once in a lifetime! Unfortunately the costs are high and they have to rely on sponsors, donations and fundraising to make their dream come true.

The costs for her airline ticket, accommodation, entry fees, seminars,World Stars boot camp, teamuniform and taxes etc. amount to about NZ$6,500 per contestant.

To make it possible for her to represent her country, financial assistance is needed in the form of donations towards her travel expenses, hotel costs, meals etc. Without sponsorship she will not be able to reach her goals and we are therefore asking for any kind of sponsorship / donation.

Evanny will greatly appreciate your donation.

TheWorld Championships website: http://www.wcopa.com.

Please feel free to contact me for any further information.

Kind regards,

DINA JANSE VAN RENSBURG
National Director: New Zealand
World Championships of the Performing Arts

Hello Everyone!

Good day to you all!

I am Evanny Honey Ibag, Filipino Citizen and a Permanent Resident in New Zealand. I have lived in New Zealand since September 2007. I currently work in Ward 1 Taranaki Base Hospital. I am best known as “HONEY”. Before anything else I would like to give you a bit of background of myself. Year 2007, I arrived in the Garden City of Christchurch – full of hopes and dreams in the land of the long white cloud. I stayed in Christchurch for 2 years and eventually finished my return to nursing course and became registered in New Zealand. I’ve got lots of memories in Christchurch and friends and family in there will always be close to my heart.

Currently, I have been living in New Plymouth for 3 years and have been involved in various musical activities around town. I have been involved in Taranaki Star 2011 and was included as one of the finalists. From then on it opened the door for me to musicians and great talents in Taranaki. I have also been involved in the Rugby World Cup 2011 singing the National Anthem of the countries that played here in Taranaki Yarrow Stadium. I belong to a group called Acapella Bella which every end of each music term will sing in Singer Songwriters New Plymouth and last year we got invited to record in Access Radio Taranaki. I have performed in Pukekura Park in co-operation with the Festival of Lights 2011. I am one of the members of Performing Arts Collective and had lunchtime entertainment in Espresso Cafe for some time last year. And lastly I have played as Tina Turner in th e recently Hospice Fund Raising Show – musical comedy “The Wedding Singer 2012″ last month in TSB SHOWPLACE. There has been a National Competition held in Howick, Auckland for all the Performing Artists in New Zealand, both professional and amateurs, last March 8-10, 2012. Luckily, I brought back 3 silver medals and 1 gold medal upon singing 4 categories of songs (broadway, musical, pop, open and variety categories) and a chance to compete in Los Angeles, California for the 16th Annual World Championship of Performing Arts.
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Kumusta mga kabayan (How are you, countrymen/women),

First of all I would like to express my heartfelt concerns on Ulinda’ s brother in the Philippines who had been a victim of an assault and now lying in hospital with serious injuries and on life support. Let us all pray for him for his early recovery. May the Lord bless him and may he regain his good health soon. The past months have been quite hectic for the officers and members of our society. The Christmas carolling, New Year’s Eve Party, the Pukekura Park Festival of Lights presentation, and then Valentine’s Day Party. All these activities have made us much closer and very much involved. I am pleased to say that our membership has improved and now we have at least over 65 financial members.

I would like to thank you all for your contributions. I would like to specially thank the Couples for Christ group who participated in our cultural performance at the park. I also would like to thank Ruel Sanchez for leading the choir group. Thanks to Evanne Hull for acting as our compere. Thanks to all the performers, too many names to mention but you know that I mean you because you were there and you gave your best. With our efforts, we continue to raise funds for our community. Recently, Ulinda conducted the lotto bonus and we had the raffle at the Valentine’ s Day party. Thanks to those who bought tickets and those who donated goods for our raffle.

Next month, we are going to have a beach picnic at Ngamotu Beach, on Taranaki Anniversary Day. Bring your husband/wife/partner and children, swimming togs, hats, sun block, towels, sandfly spray skin protector, beach umbrella, and most importantly your food and drinks. Its our family day (weather permitting) and you can also bring your cricket ball & bat, volleyball & net, anything that you can play games with. To all parents, please keep a close watch on your children to prevent any accidents. No Multi Ethnic Extravaganza this year but instead there s a Race Relations Day on Wednesday 21st March, 5:30-8:00pm to be held at Huatoki Plaza. Our committee have talked about it and decided that we will participate. We will have a food stall and present an entertainment; either a dance or a song. We are counting on your support.

On Easter Monday, our first Sausage Sizzle fundraising for the year. If you can help, we welcome you. Just turn up at the New Plymouth Warehouse at 9 am.

See you around and God Bless us all…

Edna Wilson
Secretary

Hi everybody.

It is so good to see you happy, especially on the dance floor. How are you? I hopeyou are in good health, winter is over. How is your work?

We have new faces and new members. On the committee we now have Nanay Sim and Bing Robertson. Welcome to the new committee and thank you to the

outgoing committee. A good time was had by all at the Spring Ball and thank you to everyone for the hard work to organise the programme and decorate the hall – well done for a great job. I can see that we have beautifull young ladies coming to our club, and we want you back again supporting our functions. During the ball some of the husbands watched the rugby – so everyone was happy enjoying themselves.

This Labour Weekend we are going to Hamilton, so if any one wants to go ring me on (06) 765 5615, or Edna on (06) 751 1766. Or you can find your own accommodation and transport as we are organised already.

I would like to mention that from now until April I will be very, very busy because I have a project to complete. Because of this I need your help and support, especially in March for the Multi-ethnic Extravaganza which involves a lot of work to organise. Thank you in advance for your support.

If anyone is interested in going to Auckland for Sharon’s concert, or you need a hand or help, ring us.

Thanks

Ulinda Sandford
President

Kumusta.

Before I became officially elected as the Secretary this year, some members expressed a desire to conduct a religious gathering or prayer, such as the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in every interested household. Bing Robertson would like to start this off. So if you are keen, come and join us and then we can start the chain. Please see the special invitation on the next page.

The Committee would like to apoligise for the cancellation of the November “Guy Fawkes Evening” due to no venue being available. The carolling is still going to happen and we encourage members or non-members who are aware of this annual activity of the Society to contact us if you want our carollers to come to your home. Please look at the dates in the Upcoming Attractions and chose which one will suit you best. This is one of our fundraising efforts to finance our activities.

A group of us are going to Hamilton this Labour Weekend to accompany Michelle Lupian, Miss NZ Philippines 2010, as she hands over her crown to this year’s winner. Ulinda and I will attend the Federation meeting and represent our Society.

The next event that I would like to encourage members to attend is the Festival of Lights. As we have done successfully before, this promises to be another outstanding performance from our Society from a cultural perspective. If interested contact Chona or Gemma. We already have a line up of entertainers, so hurry before space runs out.

Looking forward to your participation and cooperation!!!!

Secretarially yours

Edna Wilson
Secretary