The Bulwagan Foundation Trust Newsletter

Issue 1   March 2015

Welcome to the first edition of the Bulwagan Foundation Trust newsletter.   Our aim is to send out at least one newsletter per month to update you on the status of the Filipino Community Centre project and its on-going and upcoming activities.

What is Bulwagan Foundation Trust and what does it do? 

 

The Bulwagan Foundation Trust (BFT) is a registered Charitable Trust and its aim is to build a community and a centre for the enjoyment of all.  We are a diverse community acknowledging the different cultures and that everyone can contribute to the life of the community.

 

Who manages the Trust?

 

A board of Trustees act on behalf of the Filipino Community and their role is to administer the Trust.  The Trust is comprised of Flora Muriel-Nogoy, Judith Mendoza, Dinna O'Meara, Odette Dulce-Madrisa and Reynaldo Non and who are all volunteers and much of their time and resources are generously given to the community.

 

How and when did it all begin?

 

It began over a decade ago born from a need within the community.  We were asked by the community to look at the possibility of having a community centre. The community was saying that they have spent so much towards others' facilities for events, sports and business, so why not bring it back for our own facility instead?

 

Why is a Filipino Community Centre so important when there are already local community centres around Wellington?

 

We have to remember that each cultural group have distinct "flavours" or distinct needs that some other facilities are not able to provide these needs. We need to raise our profile as Filipinos. Wouldn't it be great to call a place our own?

 

How do you see the Filipino Community Centre working for the Filipino Community? What's in it for you? 

 

We believe that the centre must be a place of belonging where friendship and our "Filipino-ness" can be celebrated and more importantly it must add value to the lives of our people and those around us. In the last 20 years, the number of Filipinos arriving in Wellington has increased so much so that the centre would provide the point of connection where they can bond with Filipinos who have been here longer. A place where we can share experiences and provide support.  The centre will be a hub, a place to showcase the immense talents of the Filipinos and our culture and our creativity. To provide a space for business, sports, arts, information and more. Wouldn't it be good for our next generation of New Zealand Filipinos or "Kiwipinos" to appreciate their roots and not forget where they have come from? It will also be a way of giving back to the wider community that Filipinos now call their home.

 

The project seems to be enormous.  How and what can the Filipino Community do to help?

 

"Cooperation in the midst of scarcity"...  Yes, it is very difficult at the moment in New Zealand but we believe that together we can actually do this project.  But we can't do it alone.  The harsh truth is that in order to bring our community's dream to reality, we need funding! And the project may seem daunting but we have to start somewhere and we need to start small.  So, how can you help? First, visit our website: bulwagan.org.nz.  You can read a lot about us, you can register and subscribe as a member, donate, sponsor, join the adopt-a-brick and "alkansiya" programmes, attend our fundraising events and help us to help you build the dream for the community.

I hope you find something in this newsletter that is of value to you. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions for articles for future.  Please send us your comments or suggestions to trustee@bulwagan.org.nz.  We look forward to hearing from you!

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