Filipino Communities in New Zealand held their annual Philippine Independence celebration in Lower Hutt, last June 6, the event showcase Philippine culture through dance,games and different foods.
I was lucky to be part of this event and I’m very thankful with the organizer and to the Philippine Embassy in Wellington.
The celebration started with a morning Mass at the Horticulture Hall and then a Filipino Traditional games.
In the afternoon, a cultural show was held and hosted by Miss Saigon NZ Ivy Rose Padilla and Joel Sison.
The festival is to commorate Philippine declaration of independence by establishing the First republic in South east by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12,1898
Philippines Ambassador to New Zealand Dr. Bienvenido Tejano officially opened the festival.
Many Filipinos comes to the event for different reasons for friends or watching performances from the young artists.
Younger generation can connect to the cultures by watching cultures performance like the New Zealand Filifest Dance Group, Philippines Central Association of Palmeston North,Mabuhay Association,Inc, the Young Ones, Himig Kawayan of the Philippines, Hiyas Wellington Cultural Group and joined some traditional games such as sack race.
A song number from Ms Ivy Padilla of Ms Saigon NZ and hip-hop dance performance by Arize Dance crew of the spring of life fellowship.
This event achieved to connects young Filipino-New Zealanders to their cultures and strengthens identity and pride as Filipino-kiwi.
The highlight of the programme was a speech by Ambassafor Bienvenido Tejano As late Binigno Aquino, said "Filipino are worth dying for"
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