Philippine Festival

 

Festivals are as old as humanity and the Philippines are no different. Philippine culture is grounded in festivals that celebrate life, joy, seasons, faith and diversity of her people. Philippine Festival will provide a real opportunity to connect with others and the community where New Zealand Filipinos now call their home.

  

With 40,000 Filipinos making up 1% of New Zealand’s population we are now the third largest Asian migrant group after the Indians and Chinese. About 5,100 Filipinos live and work in the Wellington region. The Bulwagan Foundation sees the potential to add value to New Zealand’s economy through the works and initiatives implemented in local, national and international communities.

  

The Philippine Festival’s main purpose is to raise the profile of the Filipinos in New Zealand enhancing awareness of the culture and social aspects of the Philippines. This will be the first Philippine Festival in New Zealand and Bulwagan Foundation’s goal is to create an annual event where all local, national and international people can come together to be part of and take part of a festival that supports the tradition and arts of the Filipino community enriching and promoting their uniqueness, their culture and traditions.

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Highlights of the Event

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More than 800 people attended this festival.  People stayed and enjoyed themselves even after 8PM which is supposedly the closing time.

 

The programme was participated by the following performers: Munting Tinig, Dance Filifest Kids, Hutt Valley Cook Island Youths, Chan’s Martial Arts ( Kung Fu Demonstration), 50/50 Bollywood Dance Crew, De-Anne Imalay, Filifest Dance Group, Kathy Lopez, Afterglow Arcade, Tina Guieb, Tawa Pinoy Rhondalla, Emilio Bonica King, Mauke Enua Cultural Group - Cook Island, Lyn & Peachy Bobis, Nga Tonga Kapa Haka, Filcoro and Grove Roots.

 

With Emcees: Butch Bradley and Gene Orejana

 

The stall holders were: Tibiao Caterers / Capital Bakery (Filipino Food), Nan Timoti-Tawhai (Traditional Mauri Bread), Pandan Asian Cuisine (Asian Food), NZ Filifest Cultural Group (Filipino Food), Kravings (Cakes and Pastries), Grill Republic (Filipino Food), Thai2u (Thai food), Alice Lozano (Filipino Food), Hutt Valley Cook Islands Youth (Hangi), Carol Wong (Asian Food), Philippine – Pacific Products Ltd. (Philippine Products), Roti Bay (Indian Food), Hot Like a Mexican (Mexican Food), Standout (Facial Product), Henrietta Catalan (Real Estate), Fe Bugas (Filipino Crafts), Sue & Mitsno (Health), Lewis & Associates (Insurance), Assetmax Ltd. (Insurance), Share International Inc., Philippine Embassy (Philippine Products), Bulwagan/Filcoro (Organiser Stall), TFC (The Filipino Channel) by Tres Marias, Avon Cosmetics (Cosmetics) and TFC (The Filipino Channel) by Susan Gordula.

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Acknowledgement

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The Bulwagan Foundation Trustees would like to thank everyone who has participated and helped in the Philippine Festival.  "THANK YOU" for making this event a success!"

 

The Trustees would like to acknowledge the contribution of:

 

• Exceptional Communications (our partner in organising the event)

 

• Western Union (our Major Sponsor)

 

• Infinity Foundation Ltd (our Major Sponsor)

 

• Media Works

 

• Atiawa Toa FM

 

• Kiwi Spring Water

 

• The stall holders (as mentioned above)

 

• The performers (as individually mentioned above)

 

• The emcees

 

• Alan Raga - our "official photographer" at the event

 

• The Volunteers: John Gutierrez, Rowel Madrisa, Bert Nogoy, Weng Lopez, Kristel Sevilla, Miriam Villalba, RJ Robrigado, Janina Meteka, Poa Boontoum and Shilpa Patel.

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