OG NEWS Official Publication of Open Gathering 2010
Issue 4
GROUPS SUPPORT OG As December 19 draws nearer, several organizations are encouraging their members to participate in a day of giving, sharing and caring in OG: Open Gathering to be held at Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral, Auckland City. Hosted by the Auckland Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy (ACFC), this year’s event has obtained support from AKLnzPINOY, Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand (KBNZ), Leyte-Samar Waraynon ha New Zealand, Tahanang Pilipino Aotearoa Trust (TAPAT) and Migrant Action Trust (MAT). Yahoo group, AKLnzPINOY (see photo below) has nearly 1,500 members who share information and experiences on living in Auckland. The group recently published a Migrant Book, “From Carabao to Sheep”. Mauro “Ka Uro” Oreta, one of the founding members, will speak in OG. KBNZ that consists of Visayan-speaking Filipinos is one of the active Filipino organizations in Auckland, and its Sinulog dance troupe was judged as Grand Champion among the contestants in the inaugural Auckland International Carnival held on November 6. The Leyte-Samar Waraynon ha New Zealand organizes regularly activities for its members and two of its finest solo singers are expected to perform in OG. TAPAT is a registered Trust that aims to construct and operate a Filipino Community Centre in Auckland, and during the campaign period hosted a forum among the leading candidates for mayor of Auckland Super City. Migrant Action Trust is a leading advocacy group and conducts forums and clinics for new migrants who are seeking jobs or want to understand better the Kiwi culture. The supporting organizations have been asked to inform their members about OG asking them to attend and bring food-and-drinks to be shared; to invite new migrants; and to donate gifts to be given away to children and those who have arrived in the New Zealand from two years to the present. The organizers of OG call on other Filipino groups to participate in the event. Please email: tawagawit@gmail.com.
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Waray Artists to Perform in OG Two talented members of the Leyte-Samar Waraynon ha New Zealand will sing Christmas songs to bring joy to new migrants in OG: Open Gathering on December 19, 2010 at the Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral, Auckland City. Las Vegas bound Mark Singzon (photo at left) and song wiz kid Angel Baguna (photo below) accepted the invitation of Noel Borgueta, one of the leaders of the Eastern Visayan group and a servant leader of TawagAwit-St Thomas More chapter. Mark Singzon recently won as 1st runner-up in the NZ-US Talent Quest that earned him a ticket to represent New Zealand in Las Vegas next year. Determined to use his talents for those in need, he performed in Westfield Henderson and Manukau in a concert for a cause for tsunami victims. Also this year, he was one of the artists featured in a fundraising event for the Kidney Kids of New Zealand Foundation at Panmure Yacht Club and Formosa Golf Resort. Angel Baguna is a young talent who exudes confidence with a sweet voice, and not only that, she accompanies herself in acoustic guitar. Performing in social events, she has gained a considerable number of fans who believe that she has a bright future ahead of her as a performer.
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WHAT TO GIVE THIS CHRISTMAS
One of the highlights of OG: Open Gathering is gift giving. In the past three Christmases, kind donors have brought wrapped items in OG, and these bundles of joy are given to the new migrants as a gesture of love, a reflection of the mission of Jesus in his coming to the world. Page 3 of 6
While there are those who believe, and rightly so; that family, relatives and friends back in our country of origin, deserve our gifts and our generosity, there are many among our midst that need our attention and care as well. Most new migrants either have sold most of their belongings prior to coming here, or may have borrowed money for the fare and initial cost of living. There are those who have not gained employment what with the economic downturn. They spend dollars for their needs, while their limited resources dwindle by the day. There are also those who may have found work, but cannot afford to bring the rest of the family. OG is about the new migrants. OG is about those who have made it sharing to those trying hard to make it. OG is about gift giving. It is not the cost of the items that make a gift, but the intention of the giver and its usefulness to the recipient. What gifts will bring smiles in the faces of the lonely migrants and the innocent children during Christmas? Here are five suggestions: Food stuffs. Fancy food such as ham and fried chicken plus a bottle of wine would certainly make a photogenic setting on the dining table. That may be too much for some. The ideal would be canned goods such as corned beef, luncheon meat, sardines, pork and beans, noodles, etc. These do not need to be consumed totally on Christmas day, but on lean days that follow. Kitchen utensils. Rarely do new migrants bring with them kitchen utensils as they settle in a new country. While these can be bought in Trademe or during garage sales, still it would be welcome to get a frying pan, pots, kettle, rice cooker, toaster, plates, etc. A brand new utensil would be a bonus, but slightly used ones are acceptable. Bathroom items. Towels are truly useful. A new migrant would be happy if you accompanied these with soap, shampoo and toothpaste. These are necessities and yes, these are welcome gifts. Books. Inspiring and informative books are helpful to new migrants. The Bible is ideal. Then, there is the AKLnzPINOY publication, “From Carabao to Sheep” that provides helpful information in looking for a job and other tips to make life easier in a new culture, a new environment and a new country. Or you may buy some other book that you yourself would want to read, and want to share this with others. Toys. There will be children coming to OG – and since it is Christmas, they look forward to receiving lollies and toys. What would be the kind of toys that would make kids happy? Stuffed toys – bears, dogs, popular characters – are no. 1 in the list. Dolls for girls, Creative toys like Transformers, super heroes, etc. for the boys. No toy guns please. Our OG Gift Coordinators: Claudia Menchavez (new migrants) and Josephine Matiga (kids) request that you wrap your gifts and bring these on December 19 at Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral. Your generosity and act of kindness will surely make a difference to new migrants and children. It’ll truly be a Merry Christmas for them and for you.
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COME &
OG
Open Gathering Celebrating the True Essence Christmas 11:15 Filipino Mass 12:30 Food Sharing 1:30 Entertainment 3:30 Gift-giving
December 19, 2010, Good Shepherd Church, Balmoral AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND Page 5 of 6
OG:
Open Gathering
AUCKLAND CATHOLIC FILIPINO CHAPLAINCY Hosted by:
The Auckland Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy is one of the few ethnic chaplaincies in the Catholic Diocese of Auckland, New Zealand. The ACFC operates as a quasi-parish community based at the Good Shepherd Parish in Balmoral, Central Auckland. As a quasi-parish, it offers religious services such as regular Sunday Masses in Pilipino, weekly Wednesday Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, fortnightly Bible apostolate, monthly devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, house to house rosary and various devotional practices to the Blessed Virgin. The management of the Chaplaincy is a collaboration between the Chaplain and the ACFC Pastoral Council. The Pastoral Council is made up of ten members who are elected from the Filipino Community every two years and of representative from each of the different Catholic groups and associations in the Filipino community who are appointed or elected by their respective groups. As strategy for integration, the Chaplaincy is represented at the Good Shepherd Parish Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council. MISSION STATEMENT: The mission statement is to collaborate with the Bishop of Auckland and the Chaplain in the pastoral care of the Filipinos in the Auckland Diocese and to assist them in their journey towards maturity in Faith and towards integration into the local church and New Zealand society. ACFC CHAIRMAN: Ma. Consuelo del Castillo CHAPLAIN: Fr. Ruben Elago, MSP
Organized by:
TawagAwit, a Catholic Ministry spreading
God’s Word through music and other acts of love
Support OG: Open
Gathering
Email: tawagawit@gmail.com Page 6 of 6