What A Summer! The Bulwagan Foundation Trust Newsletter Issue 11 December 2015 - April 2016 |
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Summer is usually a busy period for most people, and the Filipino Community Centre is no exception. The Centre hosted three events from late November until early March, ranging from the cultural to the political. |
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Christmas at the FilComCen Geo Robrigado The traditions of Filipino Christmas was very much alive as the Bulwagan Foundation Trust hosted the PASKO Christmas Festival 2016 at the Filipino Community Centre on 6 December 2015. The event, which was open to the public, started with a mass at 10AM officiated by Fr. Andrew Kim. The mass was followed by festivities, which included an exhibition, food and craft stalls, and programmes. One of the highlights of the Festival was the Parol-making Contest where different contemporary designs of the Christmas star was made using different materials. This contest was won by Milan Luceñara for the individual category and Filifest for the group category. They won NZD100.00 and NZD200.00, respectively. The PASKO festival also included a garage sale (which was happening in a separate room) where items donated by various people and groups were sold at very affordable prices. The proceeds of the sale went to the growth and maintenance of the Filipino Community Centre. The entire event was capped off by the KANTA-ta Christmas Chorale Concert, where music was provided by the Filipino Community Choir (FILCORO) as well as other talented groups and individuals. The performers serenaded the audience with contemporary songs as well as festive songs for the Christmas season. Indeed, celebrating Filipino Christmas is a tradition filled with laughter, joy, and music. The Bulwagan looks forward to celebrating the next Christmas seasons with Wellington in general, and with the Filipino Community in particular. |
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Sumayaw, Sumunod... sa FilComCen Geo Robrigado It was a night to remember as people put on their dancing shoes and danced the night away during the Manila Sounds. The Manila Sounds, which happened on 12 December 2016 at the Filipino Community Centre, was a throwback of sorts as it showcased the dance hits of the 70s up to the early 2000s. Songs from VST & Company, Rey Valera, Rico J. Puno, and other Pinoy disco stars combined with the disco hits of Gloria Gaynor, the Supremes, and Marvin Gaye. The music was thrown by the mixing skills of DJ Neil Martinez, with system provided by Mon Illana. The ticket price was only NZD5.00 and proceeds went to the maintenance of the Filipino Community Centre. |
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Youth involvement in the FCC Geo Robrigado |
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Around 50 young people in the greater Wellington area as well as neighbouring cities of Palmerston North gathered at the Filipino Community Centre in Petone for the Be Heard: Youth Parliament Forum 2016 which happened on 05 March 2016. The forum aimed to inspire young people to get involved in political and community activities and have an understanding of how their governmental, community, and democratic processes work. |
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The event was organised by the Youth MPs of Wellington spearheaded by Stefan McLean in cooperation with the Bulwagan Foundation and was hosted by Geo Robrigado of Hutt Radio 106.1FM. The young participants heard speeches from Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson, Wellington City Deputy Mayor Justin Lester, and Young Nationals President Joel Rowan. The three members of the panel also happily answered questions from the participants. |
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After the afternoon tea, the participants divided into two workshops wherein the tools needed for the participants to be able to be more actively involved in community and democratic processes were discussed. The workshops included topics ranging from community engagement, community financing, communications, and parliamentary processes, to name a few. |
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The event was a success in terms of getting the youth to be more involved in their respective communities. We look forward to organising more youth-oriented events. |
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"Now You See Me 2" Screening of the movie "Now You See Me 2" starring Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan, Daniel Radcliffe, Mark Ruffalo and Michael Caine.
All proceeds will go towards the Filipino Community Centre. Thank you for your support!
Admission: $20 |
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A Taste of Home (Philippine Festival 2016) Filipino food has always been synonymous with comfort. Whether its because you grew up with it, or whether it's reminiscent of your own culture. The fusion of flavours, influenced by our diverse history is what makes Filipino food a cuisine in its own.
To celebrate all that is delicious and diverse in Filipino food, Bulwagan Foundation Trust brings you the best in home-cooking - both regionally and nationally known dishes.
Joining the festivities is our own Leo Fernandez, New Zealand Masterchef 2015 Runner-Up and avid ambassador of Filipino food. He'll be showcasing his own take on our culinary classics - we may all even learn a thing or two!
There will also be numerous cultural presentations to keep things lively - this is one Filipino food festival you won't want to miss!
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Entry by gold coin. Donations are also most welcome. |
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Continuously Building The Community - How Can You Help? |
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Alkansiya This is a "piggy bank" version in the Philippines that is made out of coconut shell with a hole that will only fit a coin. The concept is to fill it with coins and the Trustees will announce an event to break this "alkansiya". Whatever the total amount of the coins will be donated to the Filipino Community Centre project. Adopt-a-brick A number of bricks are offered for adoption, reserved and paid in advance by interested individuals, organizations, businesses, offices and politicians. These bricks are then set aside in a “warehouse” BANK that will eventually be used to build the CENTRE. Fundraising Events Please do support our events by buying tickets and attending the events. If you have a business, you can either sponsor the event or hire a stall or if you just want to sell your products and services, hire a stall or two. Become a Sponsor or Advertise Your Business Be a sponsor to our fundraising events and/or any other projects. You can also advertise your business on our website, newsletter and facebook. Email trustee@bulwagan.org.nz for more information. Volunteers? Anyone? We Need You! Our Filipino Community Centre is now available for everyone to use but this doesn't mean that the work is over. In fact, there will be more fun activities and events to prepare for. So if you have a flair for writing, photography, videography, graphic arts, entertainment or simply wanting to contribute your time, service and/or effort, you're very welcome to do so. Please let us know by sending us an email on trustee@bulwagan.org.nz. |
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