27 June 2014 - In one of the several events celebrating the 116th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Embassy in Wellington launched a book project entitled, “New Zealand in the Eyes of the Filipino Migrant Youth: Adjustment and Acceptance,” on June 14 at “Ang Bahay” (Ambassador’s Residence). Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez welcomed an overwhelming number of guests who were thrilled to be a part of this ground-breaking project from the prospective participants, including young people aged 10 to 30, Philippine Embassy’s Filipino Language and Culture Enrichment Program (FILCEP) graduates and their teachers and the Core Group composed of a team of project managers.
The program kicked off with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem by Ms. Dinna O’ Meara and the opening prayer by Ms. Bianca Benavidez. In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Benavidez encouraged the Filipino youth in New Zealand to share their stories on growing up in a new environment and culture, and adopting and assimilating in a foreign country, through essays and graphic arts.
Representing the Core Group, Ms. Meia Lopez discussed the project’s objectives and timeline, which factors in two Writing/Cultural Workshops in the next few months and submission of essays scheduled in January 2015, just in time for the book launching in June 2015.
Ms. Lopez also provided a brief workshop that started the discussions on the subject. She asked the audience, “If you were talking to a foreigner, what would you say about the Philippines?” Expectedly, the Core Group elicited a variety of responses – an inspiring indicator that this book project is taking on the contributors it envisions.
The Core Group is composed of Ms. Meia Lopez, Ms. Dinna O’ Meara, Ms. Carol Parreno, Ms. Alice Lozano, Ms. Shirin Zonoobi, Mr. Rey Cabauatan, Mr. Terrence Ibasco, Ms. Zenaida Savill, Ms. Aurea Weatherall, Ms. Ruth Abenojar-Yee and Ms. Josephine Jowett.
After the program, a delectable dinner and an enjoyable fellowship filled the “Ang Bahay” that is imbued with Filipiniana ambience and atmosphere. The guests engaged in pleasant conversations, photo-taking and karaoke-singing. It was truly an evening to remember as this was the very first time that the Filipino youth and friends visited “Ang Bahay” and gave their wholehearted support for the project and cooperated with the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino Community Core Group. END