Jose Rizal 150 - Words of Wisdom

The Binhi English Literacy Foundation, Inc. and the Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University started a 150-day countdown towards Rizal's 150th birth anniversary on January 20, 2011. It was named "Rizal 150 to 150" which aims to bring Rizal closer to the Filipino youth using the most accessible medium today, the Facebook.

113th celebration of Philippine Independence and 150th Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal

Dear friends,

Every year, the Filipinos commemorate its gaining of independence from its colonizers on 12 June 1898.  This year, it will be special because aside from the celebration of the 113th Year Anniversary of our Philippine Independence, we will also celebrate 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, our National Hero.

The programme will start at 11:00am with a Catholic Mass, then a “salo-salo” where you could sample the delicious Philippine foods/regional delicacies. Cultural show starts at 1.30 until 3.30, an exciting 2 hrs of excellent performances, including a theatre performance on the history of Philippine Independence (supported by Creative Communities NZ), and a show highlighting Dr. Jose Rizal’s life and achievements. Entertainment from our Filipino bands and disco will follow suit, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

What: 113th celebration of Philippine Independence and 150th Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal
When: 12 June 2011, 11:00-5:30pm
Where: Indian Community Centre, 46 Kemp St., Kilbirnie, Wellington

2011 Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Wellington

The Philippine Embassy invites all Filipinos and friends in New Zealand in celebrating the 113th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal on Sunday, 12 June 2011 (10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.) at the Wellington Indian Cultural Center, 48 Kemp St. Kilbirnie, Wellington.

Southeast Asian Night Market

Bring all the family to sample the exciting sounds and spicy aromas of the third Southeast Asian Night Market which will spread out along the Wellington waterfront at Frank Kitts promenade and Shed 6 on Saturday 16 April 2011 from 4.00pm to 10.00pm. If the event of bad weather, the market will be held on Sunday 17 April from 4pm to 10pm.

The ten member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - have combined to bring you delicious food, colourful crafts and non-stop entertainment from Indonesian puppetry to Malaysian tea pulling.

The Philippines will host a coconut skull race and tumbang preso!

Read more from the asia:online website

Race Relations Day

Race Relations Day: An annual international event to eliminate racial discrimination

Please join us to celebrate this year’s theme: “Living in Harmony”

Saturday 12 March
11am-2pm
Johnsonville Community Centre (Main Hall)

~ Free Entry ~

Consultative Meeting for Philippine Heritage Classes

(Unfortunately this reached me only this morning but you might want to check it out if you are interested and available later)

Dear Friends,

I wish to inform you that the Philippine Embassy is presently preparing for a special cultural project known as Philippine Heritage Classes for Young Filipino Migrants in New Zealand. It aims to provide learning opportunities for the third generation of Filipinos in New Zealand about Philippine history, culture, arts and values. With this project, we hope to raise the level of awareness, understanding, appreciation and love of Philippine history and culture among these young Filipino
migrants for them to be able to make more comprehensive, creative and meaningful representations of the Philippines in various multi-cultural gatherings in New Zealand and as well as in other countries.

2011 General Plans

The BarkadahaNZ is all set to go full blast this 2011. With simple and concrete objectives in mind the group have outlined their activities and are all looking forward to working together to make these happen. In line with the goal of instilling Filipino culture and values among the kids, activities like Larong-Pinoy Day and a cultural production among others are planned this year.

First General Meeting for 2011

BarkadahaNZ held their first general meeting for 2011 last Friday, 18 February at the Newlands Community Centre.  Aside from catching up on each other's holiday adventures, the more serious topic of mapping out the year's activities were discussed.