Federation of Filipino Associations Societies and Clubs in New Zealand Incorporated

Welcome to the 2012

AGM of the

Federation

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Chalrmans Message 1

Federation History 2

Previous Gatherings 3

Welcome to MImiddot 3

grants

Previous Gatherings

Federation Execumiddot

Welcome continued 4

Education Asslsmiddot 5

tance Program

Federation Website

Sports Issues 2011

Membership list 6

NEWSLETTER 2012 OCTOBER 2012

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Our year commenced with a set of newly elected executives Steve who is a first time executive officer as Secretary leaped into action to retrieve records from Rolyn who had done an excellent job for the Federation for four years Cora in the meantime assured Delia that she would assist and made arrangements to endorse the Treasurers records Delia is also havshying her first time as an executive officer Cherry and Ion the other hand had been on the executive previously and knows the expectations and the hard work ahead of all of us The presshyence of Bert for a year following his term was valuable too in giving us background information on the task ahead of us

The inability of Tauranga to host the Pistang Pilipino 2012 had placed our yearly reshyunion in jeopardy Due to unforeseen circumstances they were forced to postpone their hosting at some other year It had created concern as any city who will host a Pistang Pilipino knows at least two years is required for the preparation

With a brief consultation among those present in the AGM Council of Auckland Pilipino Organization (CAPO) reluctantly volunteered so we will not miss out on our yearly reshyunion gathering They became the sacrificial goat

As it turned out things happened for a reason Who will ever imagine that HE President Benigno S Noynoy Aquino III President of the Republic of the Philippines will come over on this Pistang Pilipino 2012 He had decided to make NZ Filcom his priority to visit this year and planned it to coincide with our Pistang Pilipin02012 WHAT AN HONOUR A large crowd is expected to turn in his Filcom meet with the President This Pistang Filishypino 2012 is another one to remember as there are too many challenges for CAPO and the Federation to overcome

My first official engagement was in 22nd Feb 2012 to attend the first year anniversary of the death of our young nurses in Christchurch It was a very sad moment Delia who is from Christchurch did an excellent job in the preparations of the occasions helped by her association and other leaders of the community

This year the Federation ably headed by Cherry Andrews prepared the documents for the Educational Financial Assistance Programme to be presented to the 2012 AGM This document was thoroughly discussed during two consecutive executive meetings The purpose of this programme is to provide limited educational financial assistance to deserving Filipinos in NZ

This year will also see the revival of our Website We encourage member organizations to forward their contributions to the federation Cherry and Steve will oversee the Webshysite development with Kristoffer Bandong who with his very busy life still gave us time for the service to the Filipino Community

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all member organizations who continued to support the Federation I also give my gratitude to CAPO for taking the challenge this year

No doubt we will see each other during this Pistang Pilipino 2012 and with the Filcom meet the President

God Bless

Sincerely yours Dr Antonio Noblejas aSM

HISTORY OF THE FEDERATION

Page 2 NEWSLETTER 2012

Written by Dr Antonio Noblejas QSM

It was sometime in the late 1960s that a few Filipinos started to be aware of New Zealand as a very desirable place to work and raise a family At this time there were only around 7 Filipinos in the Auckland region mainly in the Medical profession and their wives Slowly but surely more arrived with the hope of gaining citizenship and further their professional careers

By 1970s there were more Filipinos scattered around NZ with the majority settling in Auckland Several settled in Wellington Hamilton Tauranga and as far as Christchurch

The first known Filipino organization come to being in 1976 It was named Filipino Club of New Zealand This club went into transformation and was later renamed Philippine Society (Auckland) Inc And later the name changed to Philippine Bayanihan Club Inc

As more and more Filipinos arrived other Cities also started their own Association and Clubs As these meet by chance during their exploration of this country during holiday season friendships were formed Mutual invitations to meet up commenced on an informal basis

1977 The first known intercity PicnicBarbeque social gathering started in Hamilton and was attended by Filipinos from Auckland Tauranga and Wellington This social event soon gathered momentum Tauranga and Wellington soon issued an invitation to meet again for the next two years To make the weekend worthwhile friendly Ten Pin Bowling games commenced and a cultural presentation in the evening became an expectation Beauty pageant was later included as part of the activities

By 1991 Philippine Bayanihan Club of NZ proposed formation of Federation of Filipino Association and Societies of NZ Inc (FFASCNZ Inc) through their new drive to get all Filipinos together The theme appropriately named Pagbabago at Pagkakaisa presented their intention to the various community leaders of several cities and to the Philippine Ambassador who offered the Philippine Embassy to host fthe first meeting of leaders at the time

1992 The proposal was taken further during the Sports Festival hosted by Wellington This weekend was again a weekend of activities and socialization

1993 The first steering committee met in Auckland during the Labour Weekend Re union in Auckland named Paligsahan sa Auckland

1994 The Federation became a reality The first set of officers where elected Since then the tradition to have a weekend of Cultural presentation various sports competitions Miss Philippine-NZ beauty pageant and Filipino businesses expose their services to everyone attending became an expectation

As the years went by the Federation has evolved from just a yearly reunion and has became an organization that also tries to cater for the social and educational needs of New Zealand Filipinos A good example was $10000000 equivalent scholarship grant that was awarded by Raffles Design Institute and the scholarship fund of the Fedshyeration itself

During the unfortunate tragedies that have befallen our people especially natural disasters the Federation endeavshyour to help wherever possible by coordinating and raising funds to benefit the victims The latest was when 13 nurses died in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake The Federation managed to raise money for the families When the Philippines suffer from some natural disaster the Federation tries to coordinate fund raising efforts from around the country

The Federation has also worked with Philippine Embassy on matters that affect both our country and our countryshymen A good example is our annual Philippine Independence Day celebration where the Federation plays an important role in organizing the celebrations The Federation is also actively involved during state visits of government offishycials

References From the compilation of the writers documents kept during the past 20 years or more

HISTORY OF THE FEDERATION

Page 2 NEWSLETTER 2012

Written by Dr Antonio Noblejas QSM

It was sometime in the late 1960s that a few Filipinos started to be aware of New Zealand as a very desirable place to work and raise a family At this time there were only around 7 Filipinos in the Auckland region mainly in the Medical profession and their wives Slowly but surely more arrived with the hope of gaining citizenship and further their professional careers

By 1970s there were more Filipinos scattered around NZ with the majority settling in Auckland Several settled in Wellington Hamilton Tauranga and as far as Christchurch

The first known Filipino organization come to being in 1976 It was named Filipino Club of New Zealand This club went into transformation and was later renamed Philippine Society (Auckland) Inc And later the name changed to Philippine Bayanihan Club Inc

As more and more Filipinos arrived other Cities also started their own Association and Clubs As these meet by chance during their exploration of this country during holiday season friendships were formed Mutual invitations to meet up commenced on an informal basis

1977 The first known intercity PicnicBarbeque social gathering started in Hamilton and was attended by Filipinos from Auckland Tauranga and Wellington This social event soon gathered momentum Tauranga and Wellington soon issued an invitation to meet again for the next two years To make the weekend worthwhile friendly Ten Pin Bowling games commenced and a cultural presentation in the evening became an expectation Beauty pageant was later included as part of the activities

By 1991 Philippine Bayanihan Club of NZ proposed formation of Federation of Filipino Association and Societies of NZ Inc (FFASCNZ Inc) through their new drive to get all Filipinos together The theme appropriately named Pagbabago at Pagkakaisa presented their intention to the various community leaders of several cities and to the Philippine Ambassador who offered the Philippine Embassy to host fthe first meeting of leaders at the time

1992 The proposal was taken further during the Sports Festival hosted by Wellington This weekend was again a weekend of activities and socialization

1993 The first steering committee met in Auckland during the Labour Weekend Re union in Auckland named Paligsahan sa Auckland

1994 The Federation became a reality The first set of officers where elected Since then the tradition to have a weekend of Cultural presentation various sports competitions Miss Philippine-NZ beauty pageant and Filipino businesses expose their services to everyone attending became an expectation

As the years went by the Federation has evolved from just a yearly reunion and has became an organization that also tries to cater for the social and educational needs of New Zealand Filipinos A good example was $10000000 equivalent scholarship grant that was awarded by Raffles Design Institute and the scholarship fund of the Fedshyeration itself

During the unfortunate tragedies that have befallen our people especially natural disasters the Federation endeavshyour to help wherever possible by coordinating and raising funds to benefit the victims The latest was when 13 nurses died in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake The Federation managed to raise money for the families When the Philippines suffer from some natural disaster the Federation tries to coordinate fund raising efforts from around the country

The Federation has also worked with Philippine Embassy on matters that affect both our country and our countryshymen A good example is our annual Philippine Independence Day celebration where the Federation plays an important role in organizing the celebrations The Federation is also actively involved during state visits of government offishycials

References From the compilation of the writers documents kept during the past 20 years or more

Page 3 EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

CANTERBURY WELCOME FOR MIGRANTS

This Welcome Pack has been preshypared for the new Filipino migrants by the Filipinos living in Christshychurch It is designed to complement all other migrant settlement guides and resources available to newcomshyers to Christchurch It also provides additional useful information for conshynecting with kababyans making the transition to your new life in this beautiful city that much easier

Adjusting to a new way of living learning how things are done and getting familiar with New Zealand English takes time There are varishyous government agencies and comshymunity based organisations ready

PREVIOUS GATHERINGS

and willing to provide assistance However there is a long list of Filipino organisations in Christshychurch willing to help their fellow kababayans in the early stages of the settlement process as menshytioned in this pack Your fellow Pinoys will help you successfully integrate and enjoy the full beneshyfits of membership of the Christshychurch Filipino community and Canterbury at large

With this comprehensive welcome pack you can navishygate your way around the settling -in process at your fingertips Whether you prefer to use the do

-it-yourself approach or feel more confident being guided through the process by fellow kababayans releshyvant information you require is conshytained in this pack

Filipino Migrants before you thought that living in New Zealand was diffishycult but once they embraced and understood NZ culture and built opshyportunities around their dreams and expectations they realised that life in New Zealand is not difficult after all just different You can do it too

Welcome to Christchurch We look forward to helping you Delia Sipaco Richards Liason Officer Continued page 4

From a small beginning that started as Pinoys from around the country visiting each other to todats Pistang Pilipinas the annual Labour Weekend event is a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones Past hosts have been 1992 Wellington 1993 Paligsahan sa Auckland 1994 Christchurch 1995 Tauranga Fiesta Filipina 1996 Halina sa Wellington (Sports only) 1997 Palmerston North Pagkakaisa 1998 Auckland Alay sa Kalayaan 1999 Hamilton Pistang Pinoy 2000 Christchurch 2001 Balikatan at Kasayahan sa Rotorua 2002 Balik-Saya sa Wellington 2003 Pistahan sa Auckland 2004 Fiesta sa Tauranga 2005 Pagsiriwang sa Christchurch 2006 Pagkakaisa II sa Palmy 2007 Balik Kaysayahan sa Rotorua 2008 Salo-Salo at Kaunlaran sa Hamilton 2009 Fiesta sa Wellington 2010 Pistang Pilipino 2010 sa North Shore 2011 Pistang Pilipino 2011 sa Hamilton

FEDERATION EXECUTIVE MEMBERS-PAST amp PRESENT

Year President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Ex-Officio Member 1994-1995 Alfonso Gaerlan Bles Frost Thelma Spilevsky 1995-1997 Ramon Herrera Bles Frost Nilda Campbell Cherry Andrews 1997-1999 Ramon Herrera Nilda Campbell Bless frost 1999-2001 Bles Frost Nilda Campbell Cherry Andrews Amb Alicia Ramos

Ramon Herrera 2001-2003 Bles Frost Nilda Campbell Cherry Andrews Amb Francisco Santos 2003-2005 Antonio Noblejas Noberto Ricacho Cherry Andrews COA Lolit Capco

Bles Frost 2005-2007 Antonio Noblejas Alice Lozano Bles Sutherland Amb Bienvenido Tejano

Nilda Campbell 2007-2009 Alfonso Gaerlan Noberto Ricacho Rolyn Oemafelis Cora Noblejas Amb Bienvenido Tejano

Antonio Noblejas 2009-2011 Noberto Ricarcho Alice Lozano Rolyn Oemafeli Cora Noblejas Amb Bienvenido Tejano

Consul General Marcos Punsalang Alfonso Gaerlan

2011-2013 Antonio Noblejas Cherry Andrews Steve Robertson Oelia Richards Noberto Ricarcho

Page 4 WELCOME PACK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

What is Philippine Employees Social Integration

The PESI Program initiated by the Philippine Culshyture amp Sports team in conjunction with the Christshychurch Migrant Centre is set out to facilitate effecshytive settlement of Philippine employees participatshying in the rebuild phase of Christchurchs earthshyquake recovery strategy Philippine Employees also comprise those engaged in Health Care Dairy Farming Technology Hospitality and other areas Its mission is to give assistance and support as they integrate into the resident community as embedding into the local community is deemed

as a key component to the social development of a being

The program will utilize the skills and experiences of local Filipino association personnel The Philipshypine Culture and Sports group will be the lead agency to the Community Conduit concept

PESIP will

bull Make Contact with the Philippine Embassy Settlement Support (DOL) Workplace Engshy

lish Providers and individual employers

bull Initiate social contact between established Filipino residents and newcomers

bull Provide a pack containing useful informashytion in making a smooth transition to the Kiwi way of life

bull Connect with professional consultants on career immigration education finance health and legal matters

bull Facilitate access to agencies catering for the

personal social and cultural needs of the Filipino migrants

bull Hold group seminarstraining for the

development of new skills

bull Encourage participation in the celebrashy

tion of social and cultural events such as Independence Day Santa Parade Christmas New Year Sinulog and Sports Day

The Philippine Culture and Sports team inshyvites Filipino employees and New Zealand emshy

ployers to discuss issues of concern or just to day hello at their office Barangay 166 loshycated at the Christchurch Migrants Centre Trust office 166 St Asaphs Street Christshychurch

(Ang PESIP ay sinimulan ng mga piling mga pinuno ng Philippine Culture and Sport sa pamamagitan ng tulong ng administrador ng Christchurch Migrants Centre Trust Ang pakay nitong programa ay para padaliin ang mabisang kasunduan ng mga manggagawa at angmgaamo

If you would like more information on any of the information above please contact Delia Richards via her email dehLrichardsyahoocom

Page 4 WELCOME PACK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

What is Philippine Employees Social Integration

The PESI Program initiated by the Philippine Culshyture amp Sports team in conjunction with the Christshychurch Migrant Centre is set out to facilitate effecshytive settlement of Philippine employees participatshying in the rebuild phase of Christchurchs earthshyquake recovery strategy Philippine Employees also comprise those engaged in Health Care Dairy Farming Technology Hospitality and other areas Its mission is to give assistance and support as they integrate into the resident community as embedding into the local community is deemed

as a key component to the social development of a being

The program will utilize the skills and experiences of local Filipino association personnel The Philipshypine Culture and Sports group will be the lead agency to the Community Conduit concept

PESIP will

bull Make Contact with the Philippine Embassy Settlement Support (DOL) Workplace Engshy

lish Providers and individual employers

bull Initiate social contact between established Filipino residents and newcomers

bull Provide a pack containing useful informashytion in making a smooth transition to the Kiwi way of life

bull Connect with professional consultants on career immigration education finance health and legal matters

bull Facilitate access to agencies catering for the

personal social and cultural needs of the Filipino migrants

bull Hold group seminarstraining for the

development of new skills

bull Encourage participation in the celebrashy

tion of social and cultural events such as Independence Day Santa Parade Christmas New Year Sinulog and Sports Day

The Philippine Culture and Sports team inshyvites Filipino employees and New Zealand emshy

ployers to discuss issues of concern or just to day hello at their office Barangay 166 loshycated at the Christchurch Migrants Centre Trust office 166 St Asaphs Street Christshychurch

(Ang PESIP ay sinimulan ng mga piling mga pinuno ng Philippine Culture and Sport sa pamamagitan ng tulong ng administrador ng Christchurch Migrants Centre Trust Ang pakay nitong programa ay para padaliin ang mabisang kasunduan ng mga manggagawa at angmgaamo

If you would like more information on any of the information above please contact Delia Richards via her email dehLrichardsyahoocom

Page 5 EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

With education being a great personal interest Federation Vice President Cherry Andrews has been reviewing the Education Assistance Program to present to the AGM for consideration See the Insert inside this newsletter for details

The Financial Report and Statement of Performance are

included as inserts in the Newsletter

Federation Website Re-Iaunch The Federation Website is in the process of being given a major make-over unshyder the care of Cherry Andrews and will be re-Iaunched early in the New Year While content at the moment is limited the Under Construction site can be viewed at httpffascnzslickcodescom It may not be available 247 as it is being worked on The long term aim is to have links to member organizations Up coming events both national and local Federation History etc

Sports Issues 2011 My apologies to all concerned with regard to the three complaints that arose from the Basketball competition of 2011 For a variety of reasons the early resolution that should have happened in regard to this matter have dragged on The results of the internal investigation is as follows 1 Legends WFSA V NSFC-The nature of the complaint was that incorrect recording

of fouls occurred Team officials and sideline officials agreed to extend normal time but at the end of extended time one team had gone ahead to win the game As game officials are deemed under international rules to be the sole judge of time this complaint is not upheld

2 Under 15 WFA V NCFC-The nature of this complaint was that the game clock showed extra time but officials continued the game for a short period which alshylowed one team to go ahead of the other and thus win the game For the same reashyson as in 1 above this complaint is not upheld

3 FILSARI 1 V PBA 1-The nature of this complaint was that both teams conspired to manufacture a result which allowed one of the playing teams to progress to the finals to the detriment of a third team Based on information provided this comshyplaint is upheld It is a sad reflection on all concerned that in this case the spirit of the games has been compromised Both teams have been advised that future repetitions of this type will not be accepted

All three cases highlight the need for any complaint to be handled immediately espeshycially when the result of any appeal or complaint has an impact on other innocent teams The Sports committee will endeavor to give a decision with 60 minutes of a complaintappeal being lodged

Steve Robertson Secretary

MEMBERSHIP 2011-2012

Member Year Region Membership Status Financial Organisation Est Status

(as at Oct 2012)

Auckland Filipino Tennis Association Inc (AITAI) 2003 Auckland Associate npald (3 ~ r )

BOP Philippine Friendship Society Inc 1995 Waikato Full Current

Christchurch Flamingos Ail Rounder Inc 2008 Canterbury Associate paid (3 Vrs)

Council of Auckland Filipino organizations (CAPO) 2002 Auckland Fuil Current

Dario Filipino Trust 2006 Auckland Fuil Unpaid (2 yrs)

Filipino Association Sports in Tauranga 2010 Bay of Plenty Full Current

Filipino Herald Trust 2003 Auckland Fuli Current

Filipino ports amp Sociol Group 2010 Wellingfon As ociate Unpaid (2 yrs)

Kapili Filipino COlllmunit 2002 Wellington Associate urrcnt

Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand (KBNZ) Inc 2008 Auckland Full Current

Look East trust 2009 Auckland Full UnpHid (3 )rs)

Nelson-Tasman Filipino Community 2008 Tasman Full l lnpaid (3 Vr )

NZ Fiiifest Group 2010 Wellington Full Current

NZUP lumni (Business) As oelatiOn 2008 Auckland Associate Unpaid (3 ~ rs)

NZ Philippines Society 1987 Wellington Full Current

NZ-Phii Initiatives for Filipinos Charitable Trust 2007 Auckland Full Current

North Shore Filipino Community Inc 1998 Auckland Full Current

Philippine Central Association 1994 Manawatu Full Current

Philippine Club of Rotorua 1995 Bay of Plenty Fuil Current

Philippine Community of Hawkes Bay 2004 Hawkes Bay Full Unpaid (2 yrs)

Philippine Culture amp Sport 1997 Canterbury Full Current

Philippine Society of Canterbury Inc 1989 Canterbury Full Unpaid (2 yrs)

Pinoy Basketball sa Auckland 2004 Auck1and Full Current

Pinoy Cantabrians Sports Club Inc 2007 Canterbury Full npud (] yrs)

Pinoy Golfers Club Auckland Inc 2002 Auckland Full npoid (3 ) rs)

Queenstown Assn of Migrant Pinoys Inc 2008 Otago Full Current

Taranaki Filipino Society Inc 1994 Taranaki Full Current

Taupo Filipino Club Inc 2008 Bay of Plenty Full npoid (3 yrs)

Tauranga Filipino Society Inc 1994 Bay of Plenty Full Current

The Filipino-Kiwi Club of New Zealand Inc 2011 Auckla nd Full Current

The Filipino Sports amp Recreation Inc 2002 Auckland Full Current

The Filipino Ten Pin NZ Inc 2009 Auckland Full Current

The Filipino Society Inc 1991 Auckland Full Current

The Manawatu amp District Filipino -Kiwi Association 2008 Manawatu Full Current

United Pinoy Associations of Wellington (UPWELL) Trust 2002 Wellington Fuli Current

Wanganui Filipino Associlltjon 2008 WOllganui Associllte Current

Wnnganui Filipino Catholic Community 2011 Wllnganui Associllte Current

Waikato Filipino Association Charitable Trust 2001 Waikato Full Current

Waitakere Filipino Arts Guild Charitable Trust 2007 Auckland Full U npoid (3 yrs)

Wellington Filipino Sports Association Inc 1999 Wellington Full Current

Wellington International Filipino Society inc 2002 Wellington Full Current

Whangarei Filipino SOciety Inc 1993 Northland Full Unpaid (2 yrs)