Filipinos in NZ: United We Thank
If the media coverage of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) at the height of its fury shocked people around the world, the aftermath brought horrible news and photos of deaths and devastation in the path that it took in the Visayas Islands, Philippines. Initially, it was reported that the death toll reached 10,000, but as rescue and relief workers started actual count the number of dead is still saddening at 5,000 and rising. The New Zealand Government was among the first to provide aid to the Philippines in terms of cash. It sent a cargo plane loaded with important supplies and equipment at most crucial times. While the social media gave up-to-date news, the mainstream media in New Zealand – radio, television and newspapers – provided substantial coverage that touched the hearts of many Kiwis.
For example, the popular TV program ‘Campbell Live’ asked people to donate $3 to the Unicef Relief Fund and philanthropist Gareth Morgan put in a substantial donation. But what moved many Filipinos was the fundraising done among school children who had their faces painted the Philippine flag colors and organized activities to help the Typhoon victims in the Philippines. According to the most recent report more than $750,000.00 had been raised by the program. Everywhere there were fundraising efforts by Filipinos and nonFilipinos, and one priest, Fr Mario Dorado, said that when he told parishioners that he had stopped seeking financial donations, he was asked to re-open this as they still wanted to give. A cargo company was overwhelmed with donations that it had to fill three vans instead of one. From concerts to Zumba, from baking to massaging, from garage sales to depositing to relief fund accounts, everybody lent their hands. Leaders of various Filipino organizations met for a unified effort to raise funds, but more importantly to say ‘Thank You’ to New Zealand and its people for the kindness and generosity shown to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). They agreed to hold on Saturday November 30, 2013, GigAlive-THANK YOU NEW ZEALAND a concert/show of the finest Filipino artists and their friends to express gratitude on behalf of the Filipinos. The venue is the Victory Convention Centre, 98 Beaumont Street, Freemans Bay, Auckland courtesy of the Victory Christian Church and arranged by Nilda Gregorio. Among the highlights of the event are the mass singing of a large ‘Thank You NZ’ card; the ‘Salamat NZ’ human chain; and the Candle Lighting Ceremony. As early as 1:00 pm, a giant card containing the words ‘Thank You NZ’ will be displayed and everyone is requested to affix their signatures. At 1:30 pm, volunteers are asked to congregate at the front of the convention centre to create a human formation of the words, “Salamat NZ’, coordinated by Jess Gregorio. The Candle-
lighting Ceremony at 4:45pm will remember those who had died as well as pray for those who survived and all who have helped them. There will be an ecumenical prayer led by clergy of different religious congregations. According to Oscar and Miriam Batucan, coordinators of the ceremony, “children are asked to bring a red rose each that will symbolize the love shown by peoples to the victims.” (For more symbolism, it has been suggested that men wear blue, women red, and children white.) Ferdie Esclamado and Ching Mandawe, program coordinators, said that among the performers are XFactorNZ finalist GAP5, NZ on Air Song of the Year winner composer-performer Shana Llorando, NZ Power Pop Girls KIS, Jazz/Christian artist Ann de Guzman, and singing group Filipianz. Singer-songwriter Mel B Libre, one of the organizers, will sing an original song “Let us Rise Up”, written purposely for the event and dedicated to the Filipino people, and in gratitude to all who have helped. New Zealand beauty titlists will also grace the event in a Fashion Show-for-aCause. Community leader Lynn Irene Yangot Idio announced that at 9:00 am, the GIANT PINOY GARAGE SALE opens in the venue with items donated from the different supporting organizations. Food will be sold at the site during the entirety of the event. Among the retailers are: Pinoy Grill, Strawberry Jam’s Creations, Villalonga Chorizo Sizzle, Organo Gold and The Coffee Guy. Vice Consul Virgie Russell, chairman of CAPO, was tasked to invite Prime Minister John Key, Mayor Len Brown and other dignitaries. Organizers asked TV host John Campbell to join the activity. Russell called on all Filipinos in Auckland to participate in the event as a way of showing the Filipino community’s solidarity in expressing
gratitude to New Zealand and its people for their extraordinary gesture of help. Invitations were sent out to different media outlets. HeraldonSunday confirmed through Sophie Howie that it will send a team to cover the event. Fundraising chair Rosendo Menchavez asked everyone to secure their invitations and donate $5 each which will go to the relief operations in the Philippines. “Though we had a short period of time to organize the event and distribute the invitations, we have obtained wholehearted support from so many people. This activity is a demonstration to Kiwis of the ‘bayanihan spirit’ of Filipinos that has made us strong even under tremendous difficulties.” Cora Noblejas volunteered to provide a giant Philippine flag to be placed in a prominent place at the venue, not only to guide participants, but also to mark the event. So many Kiwis sacrificed their time, their resources and their talents for the Philippines. Let us show our appreciation together as one Filipino community to say THANK YOU NEW ZEALAND on November 30 which incidentally is National Heroes’ Day in the Philippines. For isn’t it that for the goodness in their hearts and deeds, the Kiwis are heroes for us Filipinos? Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Aotearoa New Zealand!
OPEN LETTER TO FILIPINOS IN AUCKLAND Dear Kababayans, We have done our share in helping the victims of Typhoon Yolanda through fundraising and relief contributions. So have the New Zealand government, its people and its children. The generosity, kindness and empathy of New Zealand are most worthy of our gratefulness and gratitude. We have been able to work with other Filipino organizations, volunteers and churches towards a unified expression of thanking New Zealand in GigAlive-THANK YOU NEW ZEALAND on 30 November 2013, at 2:30 pm. The Victory Convention Centre, Auckland has allowed us to use their facilities for free, which usually costs from $10,000-$16,000. We appeal to you to join in the event, as a way of showing our solidarity as one Filipino community saying thank you to New Zealand and its people. There will be performances of some of the finest Filipino talents and their friends. There will be a Fashion Show-for-a-Cause. There will be a candle lighting ceremony that we ask you to help by letting your children bring red roses as a symbol of love. Let us sign the giant ‘Thank You NZ’ card. Be part in the human formation of the message, ‘Salamat NZ’. As early as 9 am the GIANT PINOY GARAGE SALE will happen in the venue, while food will be sold. It has been suggested that males wear blue, females red and children white. If you had seen all the Kiwi children in New Zealand spend time and donate to the Philippines in Campbell Live, isn’t it just appropriate to say thank you to them together as one Filipino people in New Zealand? We pray that you come and support. God bless us all. Love Peace and Harmony, CONVENORS THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN NEW ZEALAND
PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES
9:00 am
Giant Pinoy Garage Sale
9:00 am
Food Fair*
1:00 pm
Mass Signing of Thank You NZ Card
1:30 pm
Salamat NZ Human Chain**
3:00 pm
GigAlive
4:45 pm
Candle Lighting Ceremony***
5:00 pm
Fashion Show-for-a-Cause
*Pinoy Grill, Strawberry Jam’s Creations, Villalonga Chorizo Sizzle, Organo Gold, The Coffee Guy and more **We need as many volunteers possible to make a human formation of the message, “Thank You NZ” ***The first 100 children to arrive will be given red roses and participate in the Candle Lighting Ceremony
GIGALIVE PROGRAMME 2:00 – 3:00 3:00 – 3:05 3:05 – 3:10 3:10 – 3:15 3:15 – 3:20 3:20 – 3:25 3:25 – 3:30 3:30 – 3:35 3:35 – 3:40 3:40 – 3:45 3:45 – 3:50 3:50 – 3:55 3:55 – 4:00 4:00 – 4:05 4:05 – 4:10 4:10 – 4:15 4:15 – 4:20 4:20 – 4:25 4:25 – 4:30 4:30 – 4:35 4:35 – 4:40 4:40 – 4:45 4:45 – 4:50 4:50 – 4:55 4:55 – 5:00 5:00 – 5:05 5:05 – 5:30
Gate Opens Phil & NZ National anthem Gap5 Stella Solon – Heal Our Land and Gail Cooke - Magkaisa Video: The Philippines and Typhoon Haiyan AVEO Entertainment Salsa dancers Kelly Harris – All My Life Samut Sari Filipino dance group - Bakya Rynz Yanez flute-beatboxing Sasha Saunders and Nicholas Gampell – Tango dance Russell Siayngco and Dwayne Mallo of Filipianz - Sway France Martirez belly dancing Justine Groen with Cheenee Mandawe - Mean Nick and Stephen Hidalgo hip hop dance Mel Libre message & song w/TawagAwit (Let Us Rise Up) AVEO Entertainment Latin dancers Ann Jimenez De Guzman and Leand Macadaan – The Prayer Latinissimo dance group K I S (Kayth - Ina - Shaine) – Grown Up Christmas List and Hush Hush Advocate dance group Shana Llorando – Dodging Bullets Sasha Saunders and Nicholas Gampell – Cha cha dance Vincent Sacay with Manang Dicdic Del Castillo Sophie Wills – Halo acoustic version Holy Cross School Filipino dance group - Polka Candle Lighting Ceremony (song – Heal the World) Fashion Show (14 models/5 collections) Featuring: Justine Groen - Miss Junior New Zealand; Nicole Fairbrother - crowned Miss Earth New Zealand/Miss New Zealand People's Choice; Sarah Taimana Brodrick - Miss Humanity International New Zealand; Ayla Matencio – Miss Filipino News New Zealand
Emcees: Ferdie Esclamado and Rex Yap
Note: The programme shall begin on time, so everyone is encouraged to be seated before 3:00 pm.
THE VENUE Victory Convention Centre, Auckland
Located in the heart of Auckland and with a beautiful view of the Harbour Bridge, Victory Convention Centre has a grand design 2,200 seat tiered theatre. The custom designed acoustic environment featuring magnificent timber frame construction and multipart interior and exterior noise proofing sets the scene for a great auditory experience. State-of-the-art audio superstructure features high end touring grade equipment from world-class manufacturers. As our hosts, the Victory Christian Church has allowed us to use all of the facilities ‘gratis et amore’. Parking is free. And VCC volunteers will direct the traffic, maintain security and help manage the GIANT PINOY GARAGE SALE.
Victory Convention Centre 98 Beaumont St Freemans Bay Auckland 1010 New Zealand Phone: +64 9 377 5709 Fax: +64 9 302 7093
Thank you Victory Christian Church
Official Event Anthem
LET US RISE UP (Composed and Performed by Mel B Libre)
The sky darkened The wind gained strength Beware of the danger That lurks ahead The typhoon surged Left many a-homeless We grieve for the dead What lies ahead? Refrain Let us rise up From the wrath of destruction We will not succumb To hopelessness and despair Let us rise up Let us hold on together We shall be free From the hurt and suffering We see you marching Help’s on the way We may be bruised But we remain hopeful We are all brothers We are all sisters We need each other To conquer fear (Repeat Refrain) ...We shall be free
To listen click: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cazrsInk7o4
ALL PROCEEDS FOR TYPHOON YOLANDA VICTIMS
30 November 2013 from 9:00 am Victory Convention Centre 98 Beaumont St Freemans Bay Auckland
THANK YOU NEW ZEALAND For Your Generosity, For Your Kindness and For Your Empathy To the Victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)
From the Filipino Community in New Zealand