09 March 2015 – Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez hosted a fellowship dinner in honor of several Filipino and Maori communities at Ang Bahay (Philippine Ambassador’s Residence) on February 09.
The guests included Tuhoe Ki Poneke Chairman and Te Atahou Trust Director Tamati Cairns and Ms. Pauline Oleary; Exceptional Communications Director Sharmane Thompson and Mr. Brenden Samuel, together with Bulwagan Foundation Trust Chairperson Flora Muriel-Nogoy; and Bulwagan Foundation Trust Board of Trustees Members Ms. Dinna O’Meara, Ms. Odette Dulce-Madrisa and Ms. Judith Mendoza. Philippine Consul General Arlene Gonzales-Macaisa, Vice Consul Glenn Joseph Obach and Ms. Rubianca Angelica Benavidez, the Ambassador’s daughter, were also present.
Ambassador Benavidez welcomed all the guests and thanked Chairman Cairns and the Maori friends for the close ties, goodwill and solidarity with Ms. Nogoy and the Bulwagan Foundation Trustees and with the wider Filipino community. Their presence, support and collaboration in fulfilling a shared dream for a Filipino Community Centre that would serve as a home, haven and headquarters for the benefit of both Filipinos and friends from the multi-cultural community of New Zealand illustrate the caring and sharing spirit that binds Filipinos and Maoris together.
On behalf of the Maori guests, Chairman Cairns conveyed deep appreciation for the warm reception and gracious Filipino style hospitality extended to him and his friends. He highlighted the close connections between Maoris and Filipinos and the readiness to contribute to setting up and sustaining the Filipino Community Centre that would be a landmark in celebrating common ground and cultures.
It was an evening of heart-warming fellowship with a strong sense of community among the guests as they talked about the many creative and concrete ways towards having a Filipino Community Centre that would reflect the vibrancy and heartbeat of togetherness and mutual benefit among Filipinos, Maoris and peoples from other countries. Seating around the dinner table makes a great setting for meaningful conversations such as these and exemplify a favorite enduring Maori proverb, “He aha te mea nui te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!” (What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people!). END