Taranaki Filipino

Hello everyone,

It’s time again to ask how you all are, and how you are coping with the children going back to school?

We are shocked by the Christchurch earthquake and extend our sympathy to everyone affected by the quake. This time the tragedy was as the result of nature and not man-made. I call on all our members and friends to help by providing practical support to the Filipino, our kababayan, affected by the disaster by donating any extra money. If you give all donations to our Treasurer, Lulu, she will ensure that the money is distributed to the Filipino that require assistance through the Federation. Elsewhere in the newsletter is a letter from the Federation seeking your support – thanks.

Welcome to all our new Filipino that have arrived in New Zealand. I hope they are settling in and making friends.

On a personal note; good news about my boy. He is clear of the cancer, but has to have three-monthly check-ups to see if he is still OK – Thank you God. We have the Multi-ethnic Extraganza coming up in two weeks time and I need help to cook and to serve on the stall. If you can help: call me on 06 765 5615, or call Lulu on 06 756 8952, or call any of our Committee members.

Thank you.

Ulinda Sandford
President

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery’s International Artists in Residence are Filipinos, Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan. The couple were in New Plymouth for a couple of weeks working on an artwork for the upcoming exhibition Stealing the Senses opening Saturday 12 March.

Happy New Year everybody.

How are you? I hope you are in good health. How is every one enjoying this summer? I hope you put on heaps of sunblock. How was your Christmas and I hope you got lots of presents – Filipino always have lots of food for their
family and friends, but not drinking much for us. As for me before Christmas one of my boys was in the hospital for two weeks, but luckily he was out before Christmas. Sometimes life sucks! We all have different problems, but we have to solve our own problems, or we need someone to talk to, to help us. We need to look after our family and our health – life is short, so enjoy yourself and be thankful for what we have.

Thank you to all those who helped with the carolling this year – the singers from New Plymouth, Inglewood, Stratford and Urenui, and thank you for your donations which keep us going.

The Christmas Party was good with us all having fun singing Christmas songs
and dancing.

On February 12 the Society is holding a Valentines party and dance at the Fred Tucker Memorial Hall in Bell Block starting at 6:30 pm. This is a pot luck tea and please dress up in something with red on it (shoes, dress, belt, hats – anything with red). Come along and have fun and bring your children along – there will be games and prizes.

On February 15 we have our barbeque at Ngamutu Beach from 10 am onwards. Bring your own food, drinks, cutlery, plates, glasses, swimming togs and towels. Every body is welcome to enjoy the day swimming – please look after your own children in the water. I hope you all have fun and we will have a game and prizes for the kids.

March 26 is the Multi-ethnic weekend with dancing and cooking. The dancing is being organised by Gemma Evans, so if you have spare time or would like to dance with Gemma please ring (06) 751 5406 or 021 0231 9158. I am in charge of the cooking, so if you are interested in helping please give me a call – we need your help, along with any suggestions of what we can cook for the Multi-ethnic Extravaganza.

Thank You.
President
Ulinda Sandford

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!

From: Taranaki Filipino Society

How is everyone, I hope you are all in good health. As for me I have had a very hard last two months as a result of my Father passing away in the Philippines. However, I am alright now and thank everyone who sent me flowers and cards, and also those who donated the money – once again thank you very much.

Also a thank you to all the committee members who had to work so hard during my absence, running our Society and arranging the functions. Then when I arrived back we had the presentation evening for Michelle Lupian, our candidate for the Labour Weekend functions held in Auckland.

Our trip to Auckland was on a sunny and beautiful day with no rain. Even if we lost our way we got there and it was worth it to meet our kababayan again. Here in New Zealand they live in different regions and cities, often engage in different work to what they are used to, but they are happy to live in this beautiful country.

Congratulations to North Shore City for providing us with a good time and thoroughly enjoyable weekend. Well done and you have wonderful accommodation and facilities for holding the sporting events and the pageant.

Lastly, but not least, congratulations to to Michelle Lupian for winning the Pistang Filipino crown at the North Shore City pageant. You are a beautiful and intelligent young woman and you must have very proud parents – well done Mr & Mrs Lupian. Also thanks to Flora who worked hard with the fundraising for Michelle, and thank to all those who donated and helped. If we work together we can do it. Many, many thanks to all the people who went to Auckland to support our young lady in competing for the Miss Philippines-NZ title. Good on you Michelle for bring home the title for your supporters from New Plymouth and the Taranaki region.

Thank you very much Katrina for helping our candidate. She did well without you – it must have been hard for her. Also thanks to Rowena Bermoy who assisted on stage in Auckland. Well done guys. The Halloween Party for the children was well done. Thank you to all the committee and members who helped to organise the programme.

And see you next year. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Ulinda Sandford
President

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If you are looking for the old site, please click here.