PH Embassy Joins the Filipino Community in New Zealand in Fiesta
Ambassador to New Zealand Jesus S. Domingo with New Zealand Members of Parliament and leaders of Filipino communities in New Zealand during the Pistang Pilipino 2018. (Wellington PE photo)
WELLINGTON 08 November 2018 — The Philippine Embassy in Wellington joined the festivities of Sama Sama sa Rotorua Pistang Pilipino 2018 on 20-21 October 2018. This was the annual New Zealand Filipino Labour Weekend Reunion featuring a grand celebration of Filipino culture, beauty, sports, music, dances and entertainment.
The Federation of Filipino Associations, Clubs and Societies (FFASC) and the Bay of Plenty Philippine Friendship Society Incorporated (BOPPFSI) hosted this much awaited festival, affording Filipinos from all over New Zealand to gather, celebrate, share and showcase the vibrance of Filipino culture to New Zealanders, people from other countries and the wider community.
Ambassador to New Zealand Jesus S. Domingo congratulated the Federation and BOPPFSI in hosting an exciting and fun-filled annual gathering which brought thousands of Filipinos together from different parts of New Zealand and highlighted the vital contributions of more than 50,000 Filipinos to making New Zealand a multicultural and ethnically diverse nation.
Ambassador Domingo also conveyed deep appreciation for the participation and cooperation of Filipinos all over Aotearoa and the presence and involvement of Government Officials from Rotorua and friends from New Zealand during the event. He had also read the message of President Rodrigo Duterte, congratulating the Filipino Community in New Zealand for the Pista and their serving as effective bridges for better Philippines-New Zealand relations.
As part of the Embassy’s flagship program “Universal Diplomacy,” the Embassy conducted a forum/consultation for the youth, discussing possible avenues for collaboration and encouraging the youth to pursue activities and projects that will contribute to strengthening ties and advance advocacies.
On the promotion and protection of the welfare of Filipinos in New Zealand, the Embassy also conducted a free seminar on worker’s rights, legal consultation and volunteer ambassador, with Mr. Mikee Santos of Migrante Aotearoa, Consul General in Auckland Emeritus Atty. Paulo Garcia and Ambassador Domingo as resources persons.
The Embassy Mobile Consular Team was also in Rotorua and extended passport, authentication, dual citizenship, and other consular services to hundreds of Filipinos attending the event. END
For more information, visit www.wellingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philembassy.org.nz or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNZ/
Participants of the Youth Forum conducted by the Philippine Embassy. (Wellington PE photo)
Participants of the Seminar / Forum on worker’s rights, legal consultation and volunteer ambassador conducted by the Philippine Embassy. (Wellington PE photo)
Ambassador Domingo during the awarding ceremony of the Ms. New Zealand – Philippines beauty pageant. Photo courtesy of Jovi Abellanosa. (Wellington PE photo)