Recognizing and Harnessing the Significant Role and Contribution to Philippine Development of Filipino Migrants
Ambassador Domingo with representatives of Migrante Aotearoa, Caring for Humanity International Foundation, Organization of Cordillerans in NZ, St. Patrick Filipino Catholic Group, and the FILNZ Fellowship, who have been spearheading #PinoyWeCare initiatives. From left to right: Noel Magsanoc Matencio, Mikee Santos, Honey Rasalan, Amie Dural-Maga, Marithony Eltanal, Susan Ignacio Matencio and Aisha Ronquillo.
04 January 2018 WELLINGTON — The Philippine Embassy recently hosted four significant activities pursuant to Proclamation No. 276, s.1988 which established the Month of Overseas Filipinos (OFs) in December every year.
On 16 December 2017, Ambassador Jesus S. Domingo hosted a year-end planning meeting with representatives of the core group of the #PinoyWeCare coalition to set the 2018 program of activities. This multi-sectoral platform launched in 06 May 2017 provides a partnership mechanism for groups and individuals, among others, to support successful settlement of Filipinos in Auckland. The city is New Zealand’s largest, and is home to nearly 30,000 Filipinos.
On International Migrants’ Day, 18 December 2017, Ambassador Domingo convened a workshop meeting with Filipino Community leaders to present flagship programs through which they can support Embassy efforts. In particular, he proposed to replicate and extend the #PinoyWeCAre network to Wellington to be able to provide a more accessible and widespread support system for OFs in New Zealand. The meeting participants expressed openness to the recommendation, particularly noting how this would help them coordinate more efficient assistance to Filipino migrants.
In addition, the Ambassador discussed #YAMBA, a leadership development programme where Filipino-Kiwi high school students have the opportunity to be Young Citizen Volunteer Diplomats for the Embassy and the Filipino Community, as well as #VAMBA, where other OFs can serve as Volunteer Ambassadors in line with the Embassy’s #Universal Diplomacy thrust.
Finally, on 30 December 2017, the Embassy participated in the KASAGIP Charitable Trust’s Thanksgiving Celebration. The main highlight of the program was a briefing for Filipino migrant workers who have just recently arrived in New Zealand, on help that is available to them, through KASAGIP, and the services offered by the Embassy, principally, Consular and Assistance-To-Nationals (ATN). Ambassador Domingo delivered the Special Message wherein he welcomed the new arrivals and underscored the Embassy’s readiness to serve and assist them. He also presided over the induction of new members of KASAGIP’s Blue Angel Brigade advocacy and campaign and the awarding of Certificates of Appreciation to the Trust’s outstanding members and supporters. He was accompanied by Consul Bon Laccay, Vice Consul Glenn Obach and ATN Officer Marc Asilom. END
For more information, visit wellingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philembassy.org.nz or https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineEmbassyWellingtonNewZealand.
Ambassador Domingo delivering the Special Remarks at the KASAGIP event.
From left front row: Anita Mansell, Filifest Dance Group and Hutt Multicultural Council; Alice Lozano, Irene Fernandez and Chona Smart, Filipino Migrants and Workers Trust; Flora Nogoy, Bulwagan Foundation Trust; Rachel Pointon, Kasagip Charitable Trust; Annie Robrigado, Filipino Artists in New Zealand, Inc. (FILINARTIZTS); From left second row: Greg Baesa, Hutt Multicultural Council; Second Secretary and Consul Bon Laccay, Ambassador Gary Domingo, Philippine Embassy; Mar Esparas, Kasagip Charitable Trust; Third Secretary and Vice Consul Glenn Obach, Philippine Embassy; and Ric Robrigado, FILINARTIZTS.
Group photo with the event organizers, participants and Embassy officials.