Filipino News March 17
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1Number<br />
Officially NZ’s #1 <strong>Filipino</strong> <strong>News</strong>paper since 2000<br />
FORTNIGHTLY<br />
PRINT. WEB. MOBILE. TABLET. FB. YOUTUBE.<br />
Vol 8 No 98<br />
MARCH 20<strong>17</strong><br />
North<br />
and<br />
South<br />
Island<br />
W: www.filipinonews.nz, www.pinoynzlife.nz | E: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | M: 027 495 8477 P: 09 838 1221 | F: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong><br />
Fortunately, in the war<br />
against OFW exploiters it is<br />
the Philippine Embassy<br />
that is leading the charge.<br />
The Philippine Ambassador<br />
to New Zealand, Jesus<br />
‘Gary’ S. Domingo, who has<br />
just completed about ten<br />
months in this country, is<br />
known for his 'hands-on<br />
approach in dealing with<br />
issues'.<br />
In recent months the<br />
Philippine Embassy in<br />
New Zealand, the NZ<br />
Police, the Inland Revenue<br />
Department, Immigration<br />
NZ, Education<br />
NZ, the Ministry of<br />
Foreign Affairs, the<br />
Commerce Commission,<br />
NGOs, Unionists, community<br />
groups and even<br />
mainstream media outlets<br />
have been working in<br />
concert to stem the tide of<br />
rampant OFW exploitation<br />
that has left heaps of<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong>s out of pocket<br />
and often in dire straits.<br />
“Migrant exploitation<br />
is a multifaceted and<br />
complex issue that requires<br />
a multifaceted and<br />
coordinated response,”<br />
said Equal Employment<br />
Opportunities Commissioner<br />
Dr. Jackie Blue.<br />
“We are keen to see<br />
that these new measures<br />
(announced by the Minister<br />
of Immigration) are<br />
just the start of actions<br />
aimed at addressing what<br />
is a significant problem -<br />
particularly in our dairy,<br />
horticultural, hospitality<br />
and international education<br />
industries.”<br />
‘Cracking down on<br />
OFW exploiters’ is an<br />
exclusive 3-part investigation<br />
by FMN.<br />
pg02<br />
pg13<br />
PAL interclub fever!<br />
The PAL Interclub Golf Tournament is into its<br />
70th year - the longest running event of its kind.<br />
“A great experience; we are coming back next year,”<br />
says Jude Daculan of the Pinoy Golf Club in Auckland.<br />
Exclusive on the spot report from Davao, PH.<br />
Home-grown dance<br />
fitness movement<br />
fuses global dance styles, embraces diversity<br />
“Dancing has always been my passion,” shares<br />
Elaine Zafra Yu, who grew up in San Carlos City<br />
and moved to New Zealand ten years ago.<br />
pgs 09-12<br />
DURIAN REPUBLIC<br />
Duterte’s<br />
Dilemma<br />
“I have to admire Sen. de Lima's courage. To<br />
stand for her principles and what she believes is<br />
right. That was what the EDSA spirit was all<br />
about thirty-one years ago. The courage to stand<br />
for right and liberty. Helpless. Scared, yet<br />
unbowed. Armed only with a steamer, a printed<br />
T-shirt and a conviction.” - JJ Atencio pg05<br />
Behind bars:<br />
Senator Leila de Lima<br />
arrested in Manila<br />
A Philippines senator and staunch critic of<br />
President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs<br />
has been arrested.<br />
pg04
BUHAY<br />
NZ<br />
02 MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | tel: 027 495 8477, 09 838 1221 | www.pinoynzlife.nz<br />
Cracking down on<br />
OFW exploiters ...<br />
By MEL FERNANDEZ<br />
A Duterte-style clenched<br />
fist is being thrust squarely<br />
at OFW exploiters in New<br />
Zealand and overseas. The<br />
message to these wrong<br />
doers is - desist or face the<br />
wrath of the community<br />
plus a blitzkrieg by a host<br />
of government agencies.<br />
The bad guys are on<br />
notice - they will be<br />
exposed, shamed publicly<br />
and punished. In the<br />
process it is hoped that justice<br />
will be served for the<br />
aggrieved parties.<br />
In recent months the<br />
Philippine Embassy in<br />
New Zealand, the NZ<br />
Police, the Inland Revenue<br />
Department, Immigration<br />
NZ, Education NZ,<br />
the Ministry of Foreign<br />
Affairs, the Commerce<br />
Commission, Unionists,<br />
community groups,<br />
NGOs and even mainstream<br />
media outlets have<br />
been working in concert to<br />
stem the tide of rampant<br />
OFW exploitation that has<br />
left heaps of <strong>Filipino</strong>s out<br />
of pocket and often in dire<br />
straits.<br />
“Migrant exploitation is<br />
a multi-faceted and complex<br />
issue that requires a<br />
multifaceted and coordinated<br />
response,” said Equal<br />
Employment Opportunities<br />
Commissioner Dr.<br />
Jackie Blue.<br />
“We are keen to see that<br />
these new measures (announced<br />
by the Minister of<br />
Immigration) are just the<br />
start of actions aimed at<br />
addressing what is a significant<br />
problem - particularly<br />
in our dairy, horticultural,<br />
hospitality and international<br />
education industries.”<br />
Fortunately, in the war<br />
against OFW exploiters it<br />
is the Philippine Embassy<br />
that is leading the charge.<br />
The Philippine Ambassador<br />
to New Zealand,<br />
Jesus S Domingo, who has<br />
just completed about ten<br />
months in this country, is<br />
known for his 'hands-on<br />
approach in dealing with<br />
issues'.<br />
He told FMN that: “The<br />
Embassy is working closely<br />
with the NZ Government,<br />
its Consulates in<br />
Auckland and Christchurch<br />
and NZ and <strong>Filipino</strong><br />
Community NGOs (including<br />
Migrante Aotearoa) to<br />
combat abuses against<br />
OFWs, particularly with<br />
regards to Labour Recruitment,<br />
Education Trafficking<br />
and Balikbayan Box<br />
Crime.<br />
PART 1:<br />
Jesus ‘Gary’<br />
Domingo<br />
Philippine<br />
Ambassador<br />
to New<br />
Zealand<br />
Foto credit:<br />
Migrant Times<br />
“Besides providing assistance<br />
to the victims of<br />
Balikbayan Box Crime the<br />
Embassy is developing a<br />
Code of Conduct for<br />
providers of this service. In<br />
In a Commerce Commission<br />
case, Vikram Mehta, owner of<br />
mobile trader Flexi Buy Limited<br />
(Flexi Buy), was recently sentenced<br />
in the Auckland District Court to<br />
two years imprisonment after taking<br />
money from customers without<br />
intending to supply the goods as<br />
promised.<br />
It is the first jail sentence handed<br />
down in a prosecution initiated by<br />
the Commerce Commission.<br />
Mehta was convicted under the<br />
the pipeline is the settingup<br />
of a website/bulletin<br />
board which will allow customers<br />
to air their concerns<br />
and warn others of shoddy<br />
service.<br />
“In the area of education<br />
trafficking the Embassy is<br />
lobbying with the NZ<br />
Government and counterpart<br />
Philippine government<br />
agencies to punish erring<br />
Immigration Advisers<br />
(IAs) and the Schools<br />
which have defrauded students<br />
and to push for the<br />
regulation of 'Education<br />
Advisers' (EAs).<br />
“Like for Balikbayan<br />
Box Crime we are developing<br />
Codes of Conduct for<br />
the concerned Schools, IAs<br />
and EAs and a Complaint<br />
Website. We are meeting<br />
with and assisting many of<br />
the victims and asking for<br />
their help to identify the<br />
perpetrators - Schools, IAs<br />
and EAs.<br />
“Regarding general<br />
assistance to <strong>Filipino</strong> workers,<br />
the Embassy and<br />
Consulates continue to<br />
work closely and are in dialogue<br />
with the NZ<br />
Government, Employers,<br />
Unions, worker groups, etc.<br />
to follow up the Philippine<br />
Government's request to<br />
establish a residential<br />
Philippine Overseas<br />
Labour Office (POLO) in<br />
NZ.”<br />
“Migrant exploitation is<br />
a multi-faceted and<br />
complex issue that<br />
requires a multifaceted<br />
and coordinated<br />
response.” - Equal<br />
Employment Opportunities<br />
Commissioner<br />
Dr. Jackie Blue.<br />
#WarVsOFWexploiters: Ambassador Gary Domingo meeting with the Auckland <strong>Filipino</strong> community on joint action vs<br />
OFW exploitation at the First Union Office in Auckland on 6 <strong>March</strong> 20<strong>17</strong>. Photo credit: Amba Gary Domingo<br />
Jail sentence for errant trader<br />
Crimes Act 1961 as being a party to<br />
Flexi Buy's conduct. He was the sole<br />
shareholder and director of the company<br />
during the period of its offending.<br />
“The Commission has successfully<br />
pursued a number of cases against<br />
mobile traders, but this was a particularly<br />
serious one and that's why we<br />
took Crimes Act action against Mr<br />
Mehta personally,” said Commissioner<br />
Anna Rawlings.<br />
“The Crimes Act charges are consistent<br />
with other cases we have pursued<br />
where traders have failed to<br />
supply goods or services that their<br />
customers have paid for. All traders<br />
need to know that the Commission<br />
can and will take this action where<br />
it's justified,” said Rawlings.<br />
“The sentence sends a strong message<br />
that there can be serious consequences<br />
for traders who take customers'<br />
money without delivering<br />
the promised goods,” said Ms.<br />
Rawlings.<br />
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MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong> 03 BUHAY<br />
NZ<br />
New Zealand<br />
War on OFW Exploitation<br />
OPINION<br />
By LOUIE ENCABO<br />
The Duterte administration<br />
launched two 'all-outwars'<br />
on elements it deemed<br />
to be high-level threats to<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong> citizens: first there<br />
was the war on drugs and<br />
then there was a war on<br />
'scalawags' or the crackdown<br />
on corrupt policemen.<br />
Both these wars were not<br />
conventional warfare wherein<br />
the military were mobilized<br />
to stamp out an enemy,<br />
but rather the use of the term<br />
'war' was to highlight the<br />
large-scale effort required to<br />
root out the adversary due to<br />
its massive clout over its<br />
victims.<br />
The two wars ushered in<br />
by President Duterte focused<br />
on enemies endemic<br />
in the Philippines, but for the<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong> diaspora worldwide<br />
there exists an enemy that<br />
plagues a great number of<br />
them and has done so for so<br />
long. This is the exploitation<br />
of <strong>Filipino</strong> migrant workers<br />
by faux recruitment agencies<br />
or fraudulent delivery services<br />
that cheat OFWs out of<br />
their hard-earned cash.<br />
We hear these stories regularly.<br />
There have been many<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong>s seeking a better<br />
life abroad who have been<br />
screwed out of their opportunity<br />
because the recruitment<br />
agency they consulted<br />
with used bogus documents.<br />
In cases where the OFW<br />
did end up with residency in<br />
their country of choice the<br />
recruitment agency linked<br />
them with an abusive<br />
employer<br />
who paid them<br />
under-the-table with a wage<br />
that was below the minimum<br />
wage of that country.<br />
Usually the victim's passport<br />
was also confiscated, which<br />
barred them from escaping.<br />
Even <strong>Filipino</strong>s who have<br />
already established lives in<br />
their newfound countries are<br />
not immune to similar<br />
exploitation. One common<br />
trait among us is our family-oriented<br />
values; that<br />
even if we are overseas<br />
thousands of miles away<br />
from our families we do<br />
not forget their needs and<br />
we send them a care package,<br />
usually during the<br />
Christmas season. We are<br />
willing to fork out hundreds<br />
to fill these balikbayan<br />
boxes with assorted<br />
goods from food to highend<br />
expensive gadgets.<br />
Due to the price tag<br />
involved these care<br />
packages are<br />
often the target<br />
of criminal<br />
entities.<br />
There are<br />
stories<br />
where<br />
t h e s e<br />
boxes never<br />
reach their<br />
intended destinations,<br />
robbing<br />
the sender of hardearned<br />
cash. Many cases<br />
have reported these boxes<br />
being opened and several<br />
items found missing.<br />
The life of an OFW is<br />
faced with numerous odds<br />
already; aside from the obvious<br />
homesickness, these<br />
workers endeavour to save<br />
every cent they earn to send<br />
back to their families.<br />
Exploiting them is adding<br />
salt to their wounds and is a<br />
crime that should be<br />
stamped out as fervently as<br />
illegal narcotics or crooked<br />
cops.<br />
Luckily for the OFW population<br />
here in New Zealand,<br />
our embassy is cognizant of<br />
this problem and is actively<br />
pursuing cases of exploitation<br />
occurring here. In addition<br />
to the embassy there are<br />
also <strong>Filipino</strong> activists who<br />
provide pro-bono legal aid<br />
to victims of exploitation.<br />
However, the size of the<br />
problem means that more<br />
help is needed. As <strong>Filipino</strong>s<br />
we should be vigilant about<br />
the incidences of injustice<br />
that plague our compatriots.<br />
The sad reality is that the<br />
recruitment agencies that<br />
dupe <strong>Filipino</strong> workers are<br />
often also run by other<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong>s.<br />
For those of us who are<br />
sympathetic to the exploitation<br />
of our fellow OFWs,<br />
may we be our kababayan's<br />
keepers and join in the war<br />
against OFW exploitation.<br />
“Give me a call if you would like to<br />
get the best possible<br />
price for your property!”<br />
MILA BAKER - Residential Sales<br />
M: 021 980 702 A/H: 09 627 3439<br />
P: 09 845 5906<br />
E: m.baker@barfoot.co.nz<br />
W: barfoot.co.nz/m.baker<br />
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04 MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | tel: 027 495 8477, 09 838 1221 | www.pinoynzlife.nz<br />
By CRISELDA DAVID<br />
Manila Correspondent<br />
MANILA - A Philippines<br />
senator and staunch critic of<br />
President Rodrigo Duterte's<br />
war on drugs has been<br />
arrested by law enforcement<br />
agents after charges<br />
were filed in court alleging<br />
that she received money<br />
from drug dealers inside the<br />
country's prisons.<br />
Senator Leila de Lima is<br />
accused of orchestrating a<br />
drug trafficking ring when<br />
she was justice secretary<br />
during the 2010-2015 administration<br />
of Benigno<br />
Aquino.<br />
“The truth will come out<br />
and I will achieve justice. I<br />
am innocent.” She told<br />
reporters shortly before law<br />
enforcers escorted her away<br />
from her office on 24th<br />
February.<br />
De Lima, her former driver<br />
and bodyguard and a former<br />
national prison official<br />
were ordered to be arrested<br />
by a local court on Thursday<br />
after a judge found<br />
merit in criminal charges<br />
filed by the Department of<br />
Justice.<br />
De Lima has denied the<br />
charges, calling herself a<br />
victim of political persecution<br />
and saying that she has<br />
Senator Leila de Lima<br />
arrested in Manila<br />
long prepared herself to be<br />
the first 'political prisoner'<br />
under the Duterte administration.<br />
“While the issuance of<br />
the warrant of arrest is<br />
questionable, I do not have<br />
any plans to evade it,” she<br />
said, calling the order premature<br />
as the court has yet<br />
to hear the response from<br />
her lawyers.<br />
She slept in her Senate<br />
office overnight then gave<br />
herself up to armed officers<br />
in flak jackets, who put her<br />
in a van and drove into<br />
morning rush hour traffic,<br />
apparently towards police<br />
headquarters.<br />
Duterte, 71, won the presidential<br />
election last year<br />
after promising during his<br />
campaign to eradicate drugs<br />
in society by killing tens of<br />
thousands of people.<br />
According to media<br />
reports, since his inauguration<br />
on June 30 an anti-drug<br />
drive has seen more than<br />
7,000 people killed over<br />
suspected drug links - with<br />
over 60 percent of the<br />
deaths carried out by<br />
unknown assassins.<br />
De Lima has previously<br />
called for foreign intervention<br />
to put an end to the<br />
“state-inspired” extrajudicial<br />
murders, which she<br />
said have been instigated by<br />
Duterte since his election to<br />
power.<br />
De Lima also led a series<br />
of Senate investigations<br />
over allegations that police<br />
officers were involved in<br />
the killings and that hired<br />
killers were operating under<br />
orders from police.<br />
De Lima's supporters also<br />
insist that she is innocent<br />
and that the charges are<br />
trumped up to silence one<br />
of Duterte's most prominent<br />
critics.<br />
In a statement to Al<br />
Jazeera Senator Paolo<br />
Aquino condemned the<br />
“political persecution” of<br />
his fellow opposition<br />
Senate member.<br />
“This arrest is purely<br />
political vendetta and has<br />
no place in a justice system<br />
that upholds the rule of law.<br />
This is condemnable.<br />
“We reiterate that an<br />
arrest based on trumped-up<br />
charges is illegal,” he said,<br />
citing the ‘haste’, in De<br />
Lima's arrest.<br />
De Lima previously<br />
claimed that she was targeted<br />
because of her criticism<br />
of Duterte's drug war policy.<br />
During her time as head<br />
of the country's human<br />
rights body de Lima also<br />
led the investigation into<br />
the alleged extrajudicial<br />
killings of an estimated<br />
1,000 drug suspects in<br />
Davao while Duterte was<br />
mayor of the city.<br />
When Duterte won as<br />
president in 2016 his feud<br />
with de Lima continued.<br />
At one point he called on<br />
her to “hang herself”, after<br />
he ordered prosecutors to<br />
investigate the senator's<br />
alleged links to the drug<br />
syndicate.<br />
This week de Lima<br />
branded the president a<br />
“sociopathic serial killer”<br />
after new allegations surfaced<br />
accusing Duterte of<br />
ordering drug<br />
killings in Davao.<br />
Left: Director<br />
General Bato<br />
presented to the<br />
public De Lima’s<br />
former driver/<br />
bodyguard Ronnie<br />
Dayan (extreme<br />
left).<br />
EVENTS<br />
Philippine<br />
Independence Day<br />
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MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | tel: 027 495 8477, 09 838 1221 | www.pinoynzlife.nz 05<br />
BUHAY<br />
OVERSEAS<br />
MANILA - Senator<br />
de Lima is a<br />
dilemma even for<br />
President Duterte.<br />
A dilemma is a situation<br />
where you<br />
have to decide between<br />
two difficult<br />
choices. It's like a choice<br />
between the devil and the<br />
deep blue sea, or in this case,<br />
allowing democratic freedom<br />
of speech in aid of legislation,<br />
but having to put up<br />
with annoying, politically<br />
destabilizing rhetoric. Or<br />
deciding to jail the Senator<br />
to shut her up, but in the<br />
process be accused of dictatorship,<br />
political persecution<br />
and harassment.<br />
I remember a historical<br />
note about the relationship<br />
DURIAN<br />
REPUBLIC<br />
By JJ Atencio<br />
between President Marcos<br />
and Senator Ninoy Aquino<br />
that said Pres. Marcos was<br />
caught in his own dilemma<br />
between the need for a credible<br />
political opposition to<br />
preserve the semblance of<br />
democracy in a de-facto dictatorship,<br />
versus silencing<br />
the popular opposition<br />
leader in whatever way.<br />
But Marcos also knew that<br />
a martyr lives forever and<br />
that is why, I suppose, Ninoy<br />
was jailed, not executed,<br />
Duterte’s Dilemma.<br />
tried and convicted, but<br />
allowed exile, told to stay<br />
away, but insisted on coming<br />
home and so the rest is history.<br />
My own dilemma today<br />
has to do with the horrifying<br />
lack of a credible, inspiring<br />
opposition leader. I mean<br />
someone that can galvanize<br />
the people and transform<br />
their party into a movement.<br />
Ninoy, for all his faults, was<br />
a charismatic, intelligent,<br />
elegant, charming, yet<br />
shrewd politician.<br />
The opposition today need<br />
someone<br />
like<br />
that to emulate;<br />
a<br />
strong force of<br />
persuasion and<br />
intellect. Someone<br />
who is more than just<br />
OPINION:<br />
Editorial Cartoon<br />
by Jason Aragon<br />
Senator Pacquiao’s motion ousts de Lima from<br />
Justice Committee chair<br />
a counter-puncher to match<br />
the President's bruteness and<br />
trash-talk. Definitely someone<br />
with more vision than<br />
mouthing motherhood statements<br />
for the helpless people<br />
at the hem of society.<br />
Certainly not an elitist pop<br />
singer with Australian citizenship<br />
whose idea of a worthy<br />
opponent is a bunch of<br />
kids holding up a streamer.<br />
And that is why the opposition<br />
gets very little traction<br />
these days. No matter what<br />
they do. Without a leader the<br />
opposition has to make do<br />
with the likes of Sen. de<br />
Lima. And that, my dear<br />
friends, is a real dilemma.<br />
I always found Sen. de<br />
Lima a bit 'OA' in the arena<br />
of political ambition. Maybe<br />
that's part of the problem.<br />
When the dust from the elections<br />
finally settled, some<br />
senators of the liberal party,<br />
de Lima included, joined the<br />
majority coalition to elect<br />
Duterte's anointed, Sen.<br />
Pimental, to the Senate<br />
Presidency.<br />
Now as chairman of a<br />
major committee like justice<br />
Sen. de Lima gets another<br />
budget in addition to what<br />
the Office of the Senator<br />
already receives.<br />
But instead of acting as a<br />
member of a coalition she<br />
behaves the opposite: more<br />
like the rah-rah poster girl of<br />
the opposition, with all the<br />
smoke, bluster and drama,<br />
while the rest of the opposition<br />
takes a back seat and<br />
allows her, without any significant<br />
support, to get beating<br />
after beating from the<br />
President and his supporters.<br />
Of course, there are the<br />
usual statements in the name<br />
of God, Country and party,<br />
but the political reality is<br />
that the opposition cannot<br />
have their cake and eat it<br />
too. They cannot be in opposition<br />
and at the same time<br />
be beneficiaries of a Senate<br />
Coalition. And that is why,<br />
despite all their efforts, the<br />
opposition suffers from a<br />
credibility and authenticity<br />
problem.<br />
As for the good Senator,<br />
her anti-Duterte actions have<br />
earned her a drug charge and<br />
some jail time. She says that<br />
the charges are preposterous<br />
and she might be right. She<br />
says that it's political persecution<br />
and she may have a<br />
point too. But she has to<br />
agree that, for all her complaints<br />
about the President's<br />
lack of due process, Sen. de<br />
Lima's arrest has become the<br />
best example of it.<br />
That being said, we all<br />
need to also agree that<br />
Senator Leila de Lima is<br />
innocent until proven guilty<br />
by a competent court of law.<br />
Because if we cannot<br />
believe in that then there's<br />
not much else worthy for us<br />
to believe in.<br />
I have to admire Sen. de<br />
Lima's courage. To stand for<br />
her principles and what she<br />
believes is right. That was<br />
what the EDSA spirit was all<br />
about thirty-one years ago.<br />
The courage to stand for<br />
right and liberty. Helpless.<br />
Scared, yet unbowed. Armed<br />
only with a steamer, a printed<br />
T-shirt and a conviction.<br />
Much like the courage of<br />
the Duterte Youth at the<br />
EDSA Anniversary recently.
06 MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | tel: 027 495 8477, 09 838 1221 | www.pinoynzlife.nz<br />
AUCKLAND - A new<br />
series of informative safety<br />
videos have been created to<br />
ensure that international<br />
students living in Auckland<br />
are aware of the full range<br />
of support services available<br />
to them.<br />
The 'Safety in the City'<br />
videos were launched by<br />
Auckland Tourism,<br />
Events and Economic<br />
Development's (ATEED)<br />
Study Auckland to cover a<br />
broad range of issues,<br />
including tips for personal<br />
safety, advice on workplace<br />
rights and how to report a<br />
crime. The videos also outline<br />
the various support<br />
services available to international<br />
students in<br />
Auckland.<br />
Safety in the City is<br />
accessible to international<br />
students and education providers<br />
via YouTube<br />
(https:// www.youtube. com<br />
/watch?v=rdcPNobJkUQ)<br />
or via Study Auckland's<br />
online toolkit - http://assets.<br />
aucklandnz.com/pages/stud<br />
y-auckland. The videos are<br />
available with English and<br />
Simplified Chinese subtitles.<br />
Study Auckland, which<br />
is a division of Auckland<br />
Tourism, Events and Economic<br />
Development (AT-<br />
New videos highlight the support<br />
available for international students<br />
International education is now New Zealand's fourth largest export<br />
earner. More than 80,000 international students live and study in<br />
Auckland annually, contributing $2.1 billion to the regional economy.<br />
EED), created the videos to<br />
enhance the student experience<br />
for international students<br />
and their families.<br />
Henry Matthews, Study<br />
Auckland's International<br />
Education Manager, says<br />
that helping international<br />
students have the best possible<br />
experience of Auckland<br />
is a key focus for<br />
Study Auckland.<br />
“International students<br />
are valuable ambassadors<br />
for Auckland; whether it's<br />
contributing to the workforce,<br />
enhancing the cultural<br />
fabric of the city, or<br />
encouraging their friends<br />
and families to come for a<br />
visit or to invest in the<br />
region.”<br />
“The Safety in the City<br />
videos let students know<br />
that they are<br />
supported by<br />
the New Zealand<br />
Police and<br />
other community<br />
and student<br />
groups, who are<br />
available to<br />
help.<br />
The videos<br />
are a positive<br />
contribution to<br />
the safety of<br />
students in<br />
Auckland.”<br />
The New<br />
Zealand Police<br />
played an important<br />
role in<br />
creating the<br />
new safety videos<br />
and Deputy<br />
Chief Exe<br />
c u t i v e<br />
Superintedent<br />
Wallace Haumaha was a<br />
co-presenter.<br />
“Auckland is a comparatively<br />
safe city by global<br />
standards and most international<br />
students don't experience<br />
any serious problems,<br />
but like any major international<br />
city crime and incidents<br />
can still occur,” he<br />
says.<br />
“By providing these easily<br />
accessible videos we<br />
want students to feel supported<br />
and to know that the<br />
Police are on hand, along<br />
with various community<br />
and student support groups,<br />
to help at any time.<br />
“These videos provide<br />
international students with<br />
some tips and advice on<br />
how best to avoid incidents<br />
and on what to do should<br />
they occur,” says Haumaha.<br />
ATEED's Study Auckland<br />
team works closely<br />
with education providers,<br />
Education New Zealand<br />
and other key industry partners<br />
to increase the number<br />
of international students in<br />
Auckland, build capability<br />
in the sector, enhance the<br />
student experience and<br />
retain students to fill skilled<br />
jobs.<br />
Foto credit: ATEED.<br />
ROYAL BUSINESS COLLEGE<br />
Personal Success and Global Recognition:<br />
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• Four campuses in New Zealand<br />
• Earn NZQA recognised qualification<br />
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• Employment advise to the prospective graduates<br />
• Highly qualified and dedicated staff<br />
Courses offered at RBC:<br />
• Information technology<br />
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• Zero fee IT National Diploma in Computing Level-5 and<br />
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• English language<br />
Why RBC:<br />
With career placements in many of the leading business entities in New<br />
Zealand and internationally, we know that our students are ready for real<br />
world challenges and concurring those<br />
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“Where leaders are made”<br />
Services Offered:<br />
• Home stay<br />
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• Student counselling<br />
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International students for their<br />
bright career.<br />
For Enrolment, Please Contact Us<br />
Auckland Campus<br />
Tel: +64 (09) 368 1918 Ext 703, 702<br />
Mob: 022 044 9071, 022 414 2158<br />
recauckland@royalbusiness.ac.nz<br />
Christchurch Campus<br />
Tel: +64 (03) 374 9888 Mob: 021 118 8901,<br />
021 0233 8506, 027 869 8688<br />
info@royalbusiness.ac.nz
MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong> 07<br />
Sydney’s student ambassadors<br />
International students<br />
generate $20 billion a<br />
year for the Australian<br />
economy.<br />
In the City of Sydney<br />
an innovative ‘student<br />
ambassador program’<br />
is improving the study<br />
experience of its<br />
students.<br />
SYDNEY, Australia - International<br />
students from more countries<br />
than ever before have joined<br />
the City of Sydney’s unique<br />
International Student Leadership<br />
and Ambassador program<br />
that provides training, mentoring<br />
and practical work experience.<br />
This year 32 international student<br />
ambassadors from 14 countries<br />
representing 15 education<br />
institutions across Sydney have<br />
been selected to join the City’s<br />
award-winning program that will<br />
run over the next 18 months.<br />
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said<br />
that the City’s ambassador and<br />
leadership initiative improved the<br />
study experience of international<br />
students and ensured that they had<br />
a voice in the community.<br />
“Inner-Sydney is host to more<br />
international students than any<br />
other place in Australia, with more<br />
than 35,000 international students<br />
studying in the City’s local area,”<br />
the Lord Mayor said.<br />
“International students generate<br />
$20 billion a year for the Australian<br />
economy and make a significant<br />
contribution to Sydney’s prosperity,<br />
as well as playing a crucial role<br />
in enhancing our cultural diversity<br />
and global connections.<br />
“This ambassador and leadership<br />
program highlights the City’s commitment<br />
to providing a welcoming<br />
and positive environment for international<br />
students studying and living<br />
in Sydney.”<br />
The ambassadors will promote<br />
the City’s services and initiatives to<br />
other international students currently<br />
living in Sydney and to<br />
prospective students.<br />
The student ambassadors will<br />
also help promote and run key student<br />
events, including the Lord<br />
Mayor’s International Student<br />
Welcome Reception, the International<br />
Education Sector Forum,<br />
the City’s information booth and<br />
workshops during universities’,<br />
TAFE’s and colleges’ Orientation<br />
Weeks, the Living in Harmony<br />
Festival and Youth Week.<br />
The candidates were selected<br />
because of their previous leadership<br />
and volunteer experience at<br />
educational institutions, in the<br />
community and in their home<br />
countries.<br />
Al Amin Ibrahim from Bangladesh<br />
is studying a Bachelor of<br />
Science at the University of New<br />
South Wales and described the program<br />
as a “helping hand” for students.<br />
“As international student ambassadors<br />
we understand the concerns<br />
of international students and their<br />
issues and try to find effective<br />
solutions,” Mr Ibrahim said.<br />
“I believe that we should all<br />
work together to provide the best<br />
experience for students and to keep<br />
up the high reputation that Sydney<br />
has as an education destination. I<br />
firmly believe that we all have a<br />
responsibility to work together to<br />
make Sydney a city for all.”<br />
The City launched the leadership<br />
and ambassador program in 2013<br />
to create opportunities for international<br />
students to better integrate<br />
and learn about the local culture<br />
and to break<br />
down language<br />
barriers and<br />
social isolation.<br />
The City has<br />
identified the<br />
cultural, economic<br />
and social<br />
wellbeing<br />
of international<br />
students as a<br />
priority area.<br />
Sydney was<br />
last year<br />
named the<br />
world’s most<br />
‘desirable’<br />
study destination<br />
in the<br />
internationally<br />
recognised QS<br />
Best Student<br />
Cities Index.<br />
The City recently<br />
completed<br />
Australia’s<br />
first international<br />
student<br />
wellbeing<br />
survey, which<br />
revealed that<br />
the vast majority<br />
of respondents<br />
felt safe<br />
in Sydney and<br />
would recommend<br />
Sydney<br />
as a place to<br />
study.<br />
Researchers collated<br />
information from 603<br />
international students from<br />
74 countries who were living<br />
or studying in inner<br />
Sydney and showed how<br />
Sydney’s culturally diverse<br />
community provided<br />
the students with a valued<br />
support network.<br />
Information on the council’s<br />
support for international<br />
students can be<br />
found on the City’s website:<br />
cityofsydney.nsw.gov<br />
.au/community/communit<br />
y-support/internationalstudents.
08 MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong><br />
Kick-starting Auckland mayor's vision for a global city<br />
AUCKLAND - He's been<br />
wearing the mayoral chains<br />
and robes of office for barely<br />
five months after a landslide<br />
win in the Auckland<br />
Local Elections in October<br />
last year. And already he's<br />
already cracking the whip on<br />
sweeping changes that were<br />
promised in his campaign<br />
speeches.<br />
Mayor Phil Goff says that<br />
lack of investment in vital<br />
infrastructure is holding<br />
back Auckland's ability to<br />
stand tall as a global city and<br />
manage its population<br />
growth.<br />
Speaking at a Property<br />
Council New Zealand<br />
“We are looking at unprecedented population growth in Auckland and<br />
our infrastructure is not matching the pace of that growth. We have under<br />
invested in infrastructure for the past 30 years.” - Mayor Phil Goff<br />
breakfast function recently,<br />
Goff outlined his concerns<br />
and solutions for addressing<br />
Auckland's infrastructure<br />
woes.<br />
“We are looking at unprecedented<br />
population growth<br />
in Auckland and our infrastructure<br />
is not matching the<br />
pace of that growth. We have<br />
under invested in infrastructure<br />
for the past 30 years.<br />
“We have an airport that<br />
attracts <strong>17</strong> million passengers<br />
a year and is growing,<br />
but there is no mass transport<br />
from the airport to the<br />
CBD. We can't tolerate this<br />
situation.”<br />
The Mayor explained that<br />
Central Government and<br />
Local Government must<br />
share the cost of infrastructure<br />
investment at a pace that<br />
enables Auckland to absorb<br />
rapid population growth.<br />
“Central Government has<br />
to enable us to broaden our<br />
revenue base,” he said.<br />
The Mayor said that under<br />
the Auckland Transport<br />
Alignment Project an estimated<br />
$24 billion dollars<br />
will be needed for minimum<br />
infrastructure, transport and<br />
services over the next 10<br />
years, but there is a $4 billion<br />
dollar shortfall in funding.<br />
“Auckland Council<br />
would need to come up with<br />
at least $200 million a year<br />
to meet the shortfall. I'm not<br />
going to ask ratepayers to<br />
shoulder that burden; it's not<br />
viable nor is it equitable.”<br />
Mayor Goff explained that<br />
the Council's resources for<br />
funding additional expenditure<br />
for infrastructure are<br />
limited.<br />
“Aucklanders feel their<br />
rates deeply and there is<br />
huge resistance to a major<br />
increase in rates. Neither<br />
rates nor charges will give<br />
Auckland Council all the<br />
required revenue to invest in<br />
the infrastructure we need.”<br />
““Aucklanders feel their rates<br />
deeply and there is huge resistance<br />
to a major increase in rates.”<br />
Property Council chief<br />
executive Connal Townsend<br />
agreed, saying that<br />
rates cannot fund the vital<br />
infrastructure Auckland<br />
needs.<br />
“We understand the predicament<br />
Auckland Council is<br />
in regarding funding infrastructure.<br />
Rates are a limited<br />
and extremely blunt way of<br />
raising income.<br />
“The property industry<br />
continues to have issues with<br />
rates and the development<br />
contributions system. It is<br />
not an effective or sustainable<br />
way to fund Local<br />
Government.<br />
“Yes, Central Government<br />
should and does make significant<br />
financial contributions<br />
to individual projects.<br />
But that is not sustainable<br />
either.”<br />
The problem for the industry,<br />
Mr Townsend says, is<br />
that without infrastructure,<br />
development cannot happen.<br />
“If we are serious about<br />
Auckland becoming a global<br />
city then we need a partnership<br />
between Central and<br />
Local Government. They<br />
need to develop a range of<br />
innovative funding tools<br />
beyond rates and individual<br />
project funds. To be sustainable<br />
those tools should be<br />
linked to growth.”<br />
The Mayor echoed this<br />
sentiment, calling for Central<br />
Government, Auckland<br />
Council and the private sector<br />
to work together to find<br />
out how infrastructure can<br />
be funded without diminishing<br />
Aucklanders' quality of<br />
life.<br />
“The New Zealand Government<br />
has a vested interest<br />
in Auckland growing in a<br />
way that makes our city a<br />
strong and attractive place to<br />
live. For New Zealand to<br />
succeed Auckland must succeed,”<br />
says Mr Townsend.
MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | tel: 027 495 8477, 09 838 1221 | www.pinoynzlife.nz 09<br />
VJ Mariano<br />
reporting<br />
from Davao<br />
PAL interclub fever!<br />
FMN: How did you<br />
come up with the theme<br />
'The Turf of the Legends'<br />
for the PAL Interclub Golf<br />
Tournament?<br />
ARABELO: Since it's<br />
the 70th year of the tournament<br />
we are acknowledging<br />
the players who come<br />
back year after year, the<br />
golf courses that come on<br />
board each year and also<br />
the new players who are<br />
joining in.<br />
FMN: Are there many<br />
new teams featured this<br />
year?<br />
ARABELO: We have<br />
new players every year,<br />
especially the younger ones<br />
and we have those who<br />
have been joining us for the<br />
past 10-15 years. They<br />
make it a point to come<br />
back. In fact some who<br />
were playing in the junior's<br />
division are now in the<br />
senior's division.<br />
Last week we had the<br />
senior's division tournament<br />
for those aged 55<br />
years and above. This week<br />
we have the regulars for<br />
players of any age - some<br />
who are as young as 11<br />
years old.<br />
FMN: What are some of<br />
the challenges you've faced<br />
in previous tournaments?<br />
ARABELO: Golf being<br />
an outdoor sport the weather<br />
is always a bit of a problem.<br />
One year in Visayas<br />
the conditions were not<br />
favourable because of the<br />
continuous rain. We still<br />
carried on with the tournament<br />
- it's part of the game.<br />
A few years back we<br />
planned for a tournament at<br />
the Del Monte Golf Club in<br />
Cagayan De Oro. We had to<br />
cancel one month before,<br />
because we had an incident<br />
in Del Monte where there<br />
was an attack by the rebels<br />
near the golf course.<br />
Security and safety are of<br />
utmost concern.<br />
Next year, as announced<br />
The PAL Interclub Golf Tournament is into its 70th year - the longest running event<br />
of its kind. Henry Arabelo, the Tournament's Director, spoke about the extraordinary<br />
success of 'The Turf of the Legends'.<br />
the other day by the<br />
Philippine Airline's President,<br />
we're gonna hold it in<br />
Cagayan De Oro again.<br />
FMN: How do you<br />
choose golf courses for the<br />
tournament?<br />
ARABELO: Initially,<br />
the requirement of the tournament<br />
is that there are at<br />
least two golf courses available.<br />
Secondly, that there<br />
are adequate hotel rooms in<br />
the vicinity. The availability<br />
of adequate PAL flights<br />
to the destination is another<br />
consideration.<br />
The foreign players come<br />
over because they love to<br />
visit different places in the<br />
Philippines. So we like to<br />
rotate the location for the<br />
event every year.<br />
This move also boosts the<br />
local economies. As the<br />
event is basically run over<br />
two weeks the local hotels<br />
are booked out. And the van<br />
rental companies do well<br />
because players go out on<br />
local tours and to the<br />
Apo Golf and Country<br />
Club, Davao City<br />
Photo: VJ Mariano<br />
restaurants.<br />
FMN: Is the event held<br />
exclusively in the Philippines?<br />
ARABELO: Yes, this<br />
tournament is held only in<br />
the Philippines. We want to<br />
promote the Philippines<br />
and obviously the different<br />
domestic routes of Philippine<br />
Airlines.<br />
FMN: Has there been an<br />
increase in the numbers of<br />
clubs who have come on<br />
board?<br />
ARABELO: We have<br />
already reached our limit<br />
this year. We normally have<br />
80 teams.<br />
As PAL is adding new<br />
Above: Henry Arabelo,<br />
Tournament Director<br />
Photo: VJ Mariano.<br />
Left: MEN'S TEAM<br />
CAPTAINS MEETING.<br />
The team captains and<br />
tournament officials during<br />
the second team captains<br />
meeting at Rancho Palos<br />
Verdes, Davao City,<br />
Philippines.<br />
Photo: Supplied.<br />
international routes we are<br />
getting more teams coming<br />
from overseas - for the<br />
first time we have a team<br />
from New Zealand.<br />
Initially we had teams<br />
from the US mainland.<br />
Then we had some teams<br />
from Canada and Australia.<br />
Now we get 6 or 7 teams<br />
from the Middle East. It is<br />
attracting players from all<br />
over the world.<br />
“A great experience; we are coming back next year.” - Jude Daculan<br />
An interview with<br />
'NZ Black Tee' Team Captain<br />
Jude Daculan at the<br />
70th PAL Interclub<br />
Golf Tournament Awards<br />
Ceremony held at the<br />
SM Lanang Convention<br />
Centre in Davao City<br />
on <strong>March</strong> 4, 20<strong>17</strong>.<br />
FMN: Kamusta po ang experience<br />
nyo?<br />
JUDE: Ayos naman. Maganda<br />
ang experience dahil ano katulad<br />
nito na maraming participants<br />
marami kang mamemeet. For me<br />
it's a great experience to play in<br />
this big tournament for the amateurs.<br />
FMN: Kamusta naman po laro<br />
ninyo?<br />
JUDE: Ayos lang naman. Just<br />
fair enough.<br />
FMN: Gumana po ba yung<br />
game plan ninyo?<br />
JUDE: Ayos lang naman.<br />
Gumana lahat. Effective naman.<br />
FMN: Maganda po ba yung<br />
golf course?<br />
JUDE: Maganda naman. Just<br />
fair enough. Sa Apo golf,<br />
hole #11 is near the lake.<br />
It's quite intimidating. It's<br />
really a big challenge for<br />
all of us.<br />
FMN: Are you considering<br />
coming back next year?<br />
JUDE: Yes, we are working<br />
on it. We plan to have a full contingent<br />
next year. We'll be more<br />
prepared. Not like this<br />
year; it was not well<br />
organized.<br />
Next year we will be<br />
in Cagayan De Oro and Gerry<br />
Quijano from Auckland will be<br />
the major sponsor for the team.<br />
He will look after the whole<br />
team going around Cagayan De<br />
Oro. (joke lang!)
MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | tel: 027 495 8477, 09 838 1221 | www.pinoynzlife.nz 10<br />
By Sheila Mariano, FMN Editor<br />
DAVAO CITY - For the very<br />
first time a New Zealand team -<br />
the Black Tees - participated in<br />
the world renowned Philippine<br />
Airlines Interclub Championships<br />
held in Davao City in early <strong>March</strong><br />
this year.<br />
“This was possible because<br />
PAL is now flying to New<br />
Zealand,” says Jay Aranas, a<br />
spokesperson for the Pinoy Golf<br />
Club Auckland.<br />
The FMN team (myself and VJ<br />
Mariano), who were on the spot<br />
in Davao for the tourney, caught<br />
up with five of the nine Black<br />
Tees whilst they practiced at the<br />
Apo Golf and Country Club.<br />
Fr. Mario Dorado, Jude<br />
Daculan, Archie Milo, Elier<br />
Tingzon and Edward Pagadian<br />
were in high spirits when asked<br />
what their game plan was for the<br />
tourney.<br />
“Win or lose, you are<br />
always a winner.”<br />
Perhaps Fr. Mario had the right<br />
attitude: “For me, the best game<br />
plan is to just enjoy the game. Win<br />
or lose, you are always a winner.<br />
“Just joining the many tournaments<br />
in New Zealand has already<br />
been good preparation for this<br />
super tournament.<br />
“While I'm here I would like to<br />
take in the sights of Davao and<br />
meet a lot of golf players from<br />
different parts of the world.”<br />
Similar sentiments from<br />
- Fr. Mario Dorado, ‘New Zealand Black Tees’<br />
Daculan. “Just to experience na<br />
makasali nitong PAL tournament,<br />
nitong klasing tournament. To<br />
meet some people also, especially<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong>s from other countries.”<br />
According to him the group did<br />
have a game plan of sorts. “Yes,<br />
we're trying to match up our players<br />
and will do what we can do.<br />
But at least we have done some<br />
preparation as we got in some<br />
practice rounds when we familiarized<br />
ourselves with the two golf<br />
Five members of the ‘NZ Black<br />
Tee’ team practising at the Apo<br />
Golf Club in Davao City.<br />
From left: Jude Daculan, Archie<br />
Milo, Elier Tingzon, Eduard<br />
Magadia and Fr Mar Dorado<br />
Below: Sheila Mariano checking<br />
out the Apo Golf Club<br />
courses. Ya, I think that we are<br />
ready to play.”<br />
“What made you decide to form<br />
a NZ team and join the tournament?”<br />
“Nag usap ang Wellington and<br />
Auckland mag fill in this year,”<br />
said Milo. “Nung una nga two<br />
teams and binabalak kasi marami<br />
ang interesado. Pero in the end<br />
nagwidthraw yung iba to a few<br />
nalang, 10 na lang. Hindi nga 10<br />
kasi down to 9, so we have a disadvantage.<br />
Kasi ang format 5<br />
playing, 4 to count so yung two<br />
other days yung 4 na magplaplay<br />
macocount silang lahat, but that's<br />
alright. Yung four na magplayplay<br />
tiga Auckland magagaling, di ba<br />
Jude (Daculan)?<br />
Think outside the box to get<br />
into the swing of things<br />
By Sheila Mariano<br />
DAVAO CITY - Here are<br />
some golfing tips from Elier<br />
Tingzon, who is a member of the<br />
New Zealand team in the 70th<br />
PAL Interclub Golf Tournament.<br />
FMN caught up with Tingzon<br />
at the Palos Verdes Golf and<br />
Country Club in Davao for a<br />
chat. He has been playing golf<br />
for almost four years and is a<br />
Wellington member of the NZ<br />
Black Tee.<br />
“I used to play basketball tapos<br />
nung time na mahirap nang<br />
makipagcompete sa younger<br />
generation who are taller and<br />
stronger so I decided to look for<br />
an alternative sport,” he said.<br />
“I tried badminton, hindi rin<br />
pwepwede kasi kailan mo ng<br />
mabilis may mga kabataan din na<br />
mabibilis. Tapos pingpong.<br />
Pingpong okay lang kaso habang<br />
tumatagal nakakaboard din.<br />
“So niyaya ako ng mga kaibigan<br />
ko na mag-try ng golf. Nagstart<br />
kami sa warehouse papalopalo<br />
lang tapos nag-try kami ng<br />
nine holes tapos nung nagiging<br />
exciting na sa akin kasi parang<br />
yung golf sarili mo kalaban mo<br />
yung isip mo.<br />
“You are not competing sa<br />
The day before the Regulars<br />
tournament began we had a<br />
chance to tour one of the two<br />
courses for the event - the Apo<br />
Golf and Country Club (the<br />
other being the Rancho Palos<br />
Verdes Golf Club).<br />
According to a reliable source<br />
President Duterte, when he was<br />
Mayor of Davao, used to play a<br />
lot at this course. It was mentioned<br />
that he would only play<br />
up to hole #5, then he would ask<br />
everyone to join him for a meal<br />
in the Apo Golf Country Club.<br />
ibang tao but to yourself so ayun<br />
nagiging simula ng maging<br />
exciting tapos gumaganda na<br />
palo namin. Habang gumaganda<br />
na palo namin sabi ko we need to<br />
transfer to a better golf (course)<br />
para mas ma-improve pa yung<br />
laro, yun na nagsimula. Maimprove<br />
mo yung swing mo, the<br />
way you think your game, the<br />
way you think your swing, maimprove<br />
lahat yun.”<br />
“Do you need to have a good<br />
strategy to play this game?” we<br />
asked. “There are so many strategies,”<br />
Elier<br />
replied.<br />
“Every hole<br />
has a different<br />
strategy. Golf<br />
is the opposite<br />
of everything<br />
you've learnt.<br />
“If you want the ball to go to<br />
the right the more it goes to the<br />
left. The more you want to hit it<br />
harder in order for the ball to go<br />
farther the more it goes short. So<br />
it's all the opposite.<br />
“May technique sya. Tapos<br />
Apo is one of<br />
the finest golf<br />
courses in the<br />
land and has<br />
long been regarded<br />
as probably<br />
the toughest<br />
layout in the<br />
south.<br />
“We did an<br />
ocular (inspection)<br />
of both<br />
courses and they are gorgeous,”<br />
Henry Arabelo, the tournament<br />
director, said. “We will set up<br />
both courses to challenge the<br />
players while at the same time<br />
may technique din yung papaano<br />
mo papataasin yung bola sa<br />
bunker. Meron yan may computation<br />
ka kung gano kalayo<br />
papaluin mo yung sand para<br />
pumutok sya at umakyat yung<br />
bola pataas. So may mga calculation<br />
ka rin yan.<br />
“Exciting, interesting, i-aaply<br />
making it an enjoyable tournament<br />
for everyone.”<br />
As Archie, 37, our designated<br />
golf cart driver,<br />
showed us around this<br />
impressive property<br />
we chatted. He is from<br />
Davao and has been<br />
working in the Club's<br />
maintenance department<br />
for 7 years. At<br />
the moment he is<br />
assigned to work on<br />
the greens.<br />
He said that he loved working<br />
here as he lives close by. “My<br />
uncle used to be a supervisor<br />
mo yung engineering<br />
mo, yung vicinity ng<br />
wind lahat yun<br />
ikokonsider mo hindi mo sya<br />
pwedeng i-ignore. So habang<br />
tumatagal nagiging exciting<br />
kung papano mo sya cocontrolin,<br />
papaano mo gagamitin yung<br />
wind, yung cross wind, back<br />
wind, lahat yun i-kokonsider mo.<br />
Exciting.”<br />
Apo Golf Club: Where President Duterte used to play<br />
Sheila Mariano in Davao City<br />
Elier Tingzon<br />
Facebook page<br />
President<br />
Duterte<br />
Archie, golf cart<br />
driver<br />
Kristoffer Arevalo<br />
of Manila Southwoods<br />
lines up his<br />
shot at Hole no.10<br />
of the Apo Golf &<br />
Country Club on<br />
Day 1.<br />
Photo supplied<br />
here.” He reckoned that over 60<br />
people work at this property.<br />
As several golfers were practicing<br />
at the golf course<br />
he gave us a few tips on<br />
how spectators should<br />
behave during a tournament.<br />
“You need to be<br />
quiet when someone is<br />
going to hit a ball; you<br />
can talk when they've<br />
finished. You don't want<br />
to distract them.”<br />
We asked: “Do you play<br />
golf?” He replied: “Only when<br />
there is time on my day off.”
MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | tel: 027 495 8477, 09 838 1221 | www.pinoynzlife.nz 11<br />
A record 44-point win<br />
for Southwoods<br />
Manila Southwoods put<br />
the finishing touches on the<br />
club's first ever 'three-peat' in<br />
the Philippine Airlines<br />
(PAL) Interclub Men's<br />
Championship, winning the<br />
tournament's 70th edition by<br />
44 points, despite posting its<br />
worst score of the week.<br />
The veteran Jun Jun Plana<br />
fired a three-over-par 75<br />
worth 33 points at Apo Golf<br />
and anchored a closing 120<br />
for the Carmona-based parbusters,<br />
who tallied an eyepopping<br />
547 to win this one,<br />
pulling away from archrival<br />
Canlubang.<br />
Southwoods spiced up its<br />
franchise's first hat trick with<br />
two bits of history in what is<br />
regarded as the country's<br />
unofficial team golf championship,<br />
as the margin of victory<br />
was the biggest ever<br />
recorded.<br />
The champions in 2015 in<br />
Cebu and last year in<br />
Pampanga also became the<br />
first team to have all five<br />
players cracking par in a single<br />
round, pulling out the feat<br />
with a 155 point effort.<br />
Raul Minoza of Del Monte fires away from a bunker at<br />
Hole no. 10 of the Apo Golf & Country Club on Day 1.<br />
Luisita's Vicente Tuason<br />
steadies his putt at Hole<br />
no. 10 of the Apo Golf &<br />
Country Club on Day 1.<br />
SOUTHWOODS 3-PEAT.<br />
Skipper Thirdy Escano is raised by members of the victorious Manila Southwoods<br />
team for achieving a three-peat at the close of the PAL Interclub.<br />
PAL President Jaime J. Bautista (in jacket) joins the Southwoods team,<br />
composed of Yuto Katsurugawa, Kristoffer Arevalo, Aidric Chan, Ira Alido,<br />
Liam Patrick Cully, Joo Hyung Kim, Carlos Corpus, Jets Sajulga,<br />
Jay Matthew Reyes and Nestor Plana. Photos supplied.<br />
Left: Canlubang's Luis Miguel Castro carefully steers his putt at<br />
Hole no. 10 of the Apo Golf & Country Club on Day 1.<br />
Ranchos Palos Verdes:<br />
“I think that this is the<br />
best course in Davao.”<br />
Archie Milo<br />
By Sheila Mariano<br />
DAVAO CITY - “Davao's<br />
famed battlefields<br />
are … Apo, the tree-lined<br />
course that was a onetime<br />
host of the<br />
Philippine Open and<br />
Palos Verdes, intricately<br />
carved within a lush<br />
banana plantation. Both<br />
layouts will host the PAL<br />
Men's Regular from<br />
<strong>March</strong> 1 to 4.” - Al S<br />
Mendoza, Business<br />
Mirror<br />
FMN caught up with<br />
the Wellingtonian members<br />
of the NZ Golf Tee<br />
Team - Archie Milo and<br />
Ed Magadia - after the<br />
first day of the Regulars<br />
tournament at the Ranchos<br />
Palos Verdes Golf<br />
and Country Club.<br />
What did they think<br />
about Palos Verdes?<br />
“Ah maganda 'to,”<br />
said Milo. “This is a<br />
really nice golf<br />
course.” Magadia<br />
agreed and added:<br />
“You can consider<br />
this a championship<br />
golf course.”<br />
Milo believes that:<br />
“this is the best<br />
course in Davao. Malaki<br />
sya, it's wide, open and<br />
very challenging.”<br />
In comparison. “Apo is<br />
FMN Team: Sheila and<br />
VJ Mariano at Rancho Palos Verde<br />
very different,” said<br />
Magadia. “It has a different<br />
profile. Apo is flattish,<br />
but with lots of<br />
trees. Here the course<br />
is up and down, up<br />
and down. It is very<br />
challenging, because<br />
the slope of the<br />
ground changes your<br />
game. You have to<br />
compensate for how<br />
the ball lies against<br />
the slope.”
MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | tel: 027 495 8477, 09 838 1221 | www.pinoynzlife.nz 12<br />
Southwoods in a jubilant mood<br />
Philippine Airlines President Jaime J. Bautista raises the Championship trophy<br />
with Manila Southwoods skipper Thirdy Escano, their third consecutive trophy<br />
at the PAL Men's Interclub after posting an unprecedented 44-point lead over<br />
archrival Canlubang.<br />
‘NZ Black Tee’ - Edwin Caballero,<br />
Anton Garrido and Jude Daculan<br />
Sheila with PAL President Jaime<br />
Bautista at the Gala Awards Night<br />
‘Tagaytay Highlands Team’ -Singer/Actor<br />
Ariel Rivera with Sheila Mariano<br />
Mr Bautista with Singer/Model/<br />
Actress Jennylyn Mercado<br />
Sheila Mariano, Pinky Balagtas (PAL)<br />
and Charles Maxey (PH Sports Commission)<br />
Melbourne golf team - their 8th year at<br />
PAL Interclub<br />
Actress Rhian Ramos<br />
(Emcee at Awards Night)<br />
Sheila Mariano (Editor - FMN) with<br />
PAL Executives
MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong> 13<br />
GO<br />
NEGOSYO<br />
Home-grown<br />
dance fitness movement<br />
fuses global dance styles, embraces diversity Elaine Zafra Yu and Peter Talo of<br />
AUCKLAND - A homegrown<br />
dance fitness program<br />
with a multicultural<br />
feel, put together by Elaine<br />
Zafra Yu (a Filipina) and<br />
Peter Talo (a Samoan),<br />
may soon feature on the fitness<br />
industry popularity<br />
charts.<br />
The pair say on their<br />
'Ezymovez Dance Fitness'<br />
website that the program<br />
fuses global dance styles<br />
and embraces diversity.<br />
“We both love to dance and<br />
are passionate about helping<br />
our communities live<br />
healthier lifestyles.”<br />
“Dancing has always<br />
been my passion,” shares<br />
Elaine, who grew up in San<br />
Carlos City, Negros Occidental<br />
and moved to New<br />
Zealand ten years ago.<br />
“I've explored many<br />
forms of dancing, including<br />
Latin, ballet, jazz and<br />
pop. One of the best things<br />
that I've discovered<br />
through dance fitness is the<br />
ability to bring people<br />
together and provide<br />
them with something<br />
enjoyable.”<br />
Similarly, Peter<br />
grew up in a family<br />
“that is passionate<br />
about entertaining,<br />
dance<br />
and cultural performances.<br />
My<br />
passion inspired<br />
me to become<br />
a licensed<br />
Zumba®<br />
Instructor.<br />
“Becoming<br />
an instructor<br />
allowed me to<br />
share my dance<br />
passion and also<br />
to create a team<br />
with my brothers<br />
and nephews,<br />
known as 'The Taro<br />
Boyz'”.<br />
Elaine's journey<br />
to the dance fitness<br />
industry also began<br />
via Zumba Fitness®<br />
and “through the years<br />
it gave me the opportunity<br />
t o<br />
e x -<br />
press<br />
myself<br />
a n d<br />
grow<br />
as a<br />
person<br />
and a<br />
leader.<br />
I was<br />
also fortunate<br />
enough<br />
to be chosen<br />
by the<br />
Zumba®<br />
Home Office<br />
in the USA to<br />
be a Zumba®<br />
jammer, meaning<br />
that I was able to<br />
teach choreographies<br />
and tech-<br />
Ezymovez Dance Fitness both love to dance<br />
and are passionate about helping their<br />
communities live healthier lifestyles.<br />
By MEL FERNANDEZ, Editor www.migrantnews.nz<br />
niques to ZIN members<br />
(Zumba® instructors).”<br />
She says that the unique<br />
selling point of her new<br />
program, or the x-factor if<br />
you prefer, is the flexibility<br />
it offers.<br />
Instructors have the freedom<br />
to design a 'fit for<br />
purpose program' in different<br />
demographic areas.<br />
“So we don't want to limit<br />
ourselves to a particular<br />
style or a particular format.<br />
We want the freedom to<br />
cater to different cultures.”<br />
By all accounts the island<br />
flavour is well received in<br />
classes led by Peter and<br />
Elaine. The Philippine flavour<br />
has yet to make an<br />
appearance.<br />
The official launch of<br />
Ezymovez Dance Fitness is<br />
on the 8th of April. For<br />
more information please<br />
visit their website at<br />
www.ezymovez.com.<br />
Join FMN<br />
to honour<br />
our NZ<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong><br />
heroes.<br />
www.filipinoheroes.nz<br />
www.pinoynzlife.com - New Zealand’s only online <strong>Filipino</strong> Directory of Products and Services
14 MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | tel: 027 495 8477, 09 838 1221 | www.pinoynzlife.nz<br />
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Every Sunday @11:30am<br />
St Mary’s Parish (Papakura)<br />
1st Sunday of the month @12:30pm<br />
Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish<br />
24 Picton St., Howick<br />
2nd Sunday of the month @12:30pm<br />
Holy Cross Parish (Papatoetoe)<br />
3rd Sunday of the month @2:30pm<br />
St Patrick Parish (Panmure)<br />
3rd Sunday of the month @4pm<br />
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Life Protector Limited<br />
contact: Rowena Telebrico-Sabdao<br />
p: (09) 270 8608 m: 021 245 6988<br />
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Peak Financial Services Ltd.<br />
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IMPORTER / DISTRIBUTOR<br />
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INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL<br />
EDENZ Colleges<br />
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www.edenz.ac.nz<br />
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MONEY TRANSFER<br />
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SERVICES<br />
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p: (09) 443 4552 m: 027 221 3122<br />
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St Joseph Parish<br />
10 Dominion St., Takapuna,<br />
North Shore<br />
4th Sunday of the month @4pm<br />
WELLINGTON:<br />
Sts Peter & Paul Church<br />
60 Knights Rd., Lower Hutt<br />
1st Sunday @12pm<br />
St Anne’s Catholic Church<br />
22 Emmett St., Newtown<br />
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MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong> 15 BUHAY<br />
NZ<br />
Sometimes, when it gets<br />
chilly at dawn or on winter<br />
nights, my little cat jumps<br />
up on the bed and snuggles<br />
under the covers with me.<br />
Some afternoons, when<br />
she's dozing, I like to gently<br />
pet her and run my hand<br />
along the length of her silky<br />
body and she purrs contentedly.<br />
And as I look at her it<br />
never ceases to amaze me<br />
how trusting and vulnerable<br />
she is lying there trusting<br />
completely that I would<br />
never harm her.<br />
During these bonding<br />
moments my thoughts always<br />
turn to the abused animal<br />
stories we read and<br />
hear about in the news or on<br />
social media.<br />
I cannot comprehend<br />
how other humans can be<br />
cruel and malicious to animals.<br />
What is it in these<br />
people's wiring that gives<br />
them satisfaction to see<br />
helpless creatures suffer?<br />
What twisted, sadistic<br />
genes have grown in them<br />
like a cancer to cause their<br />
brains to function at subhuman<br />
levels?<br />
Many of these people are<br />
also capable of committing<br />
the most heinous acts<br />
against fellow humans, so it<br />
is not surprising that they<br />
can do it to other creatures.<br />
Bless the beasts<br />
I cannot comprehend how other humans can be cruel and malicious to<br />
animals. What is it in these people's wiring that gives them satisfaction<br />
to see helpless creatures suffer? What twisted, sadistic genes have<br />
grown in them like a cancer to cause their brains to function at<br />
sub-human levels?<br />
I find that it's a misnomer to<br />
call them 'animals', because<br />
when you think about it,<br />
animals act and react<br />
instinctively. When they<br />
kill another animal it is out<br />
of a need to survive, to<br />
feed, to protect their young,<br />
or to mate. There is nothing<br />
malicious or calculated<br />
about it. Well, calculated<br />
only in so far as they need<br />
to determine how best to<br />
bring the prey or rival<br />
down. But labelling people<br />
who abuse and mistreat<br />
This Pinay’s<br />
OPINION<br />
By Dr Lilia Sevillano<br />
others (animals or humans)<br />
as 'animals' is unfair to the<br />
real animals. I think the<br />
best label for them is 'monsters'<br />
or 'freaks'.<br />
I absolutely have no<br />
respect or sympathy for<br />
these monsters. Truth be<br />
told, I personally<br />
think that<br />
they are beyond<br />
help.<br />
How can<br />
you counsel,<br />
support, or<br />
try to 'fix'<br />
someone<br />
who is, in<br />
their most<br />
basic cellular<br />
make-up,<br />
missing the<br />
chromosome<br />
that<br />
makes them humane?<br />
They are aberrations of<br />
nature and these so called<br />
humans who abuse others,<br />
especially animals, have no<br />
place on this earth. It's sad<br />
that the punishment usually<br />
meted out to those caught is<br />
very lenient or light. I say<br />
that the punishment should<br />
suit the crime. Go back to<br />
the Old Testament's teaching<br />
of 'an eye for an eye'.<br />
Harsh as that may seem,<br />
sometimes it's the only<br />
option. And please don't<br />
preach to me about human<br />
rights. Someone who purposely<br />
violates another's<br />
rights, whether human or<br />
animal, loses their rights as<br />
a human.<br />
A bible verse from<br />
Genesis 1:26 states: “Let<br />
us make man in our image,<br />
according to our likeness<br />
and let them rule over the<br />
fish of the sea and over the<br />
birds of the sky and over<br />
the cattle and over all the<br />
earth and over every creeping<br />
thing that creeps on the<br />
earth.”<br />
Although that verse gives<br />
humankind superiority and<br />
dominance over the rest of<br />
the animal kingdom, it does<br />
not translate into abusing<br />
that dominance. Rather, it<br />
gives humans the responsibility<br />
of caring for them and<br />
ensuring that all animals<br />
that we 'rule' over, whether<br />
they are fish, birds, cattle,<br />
creepy crawlies and indeed<br />
anything living, are treated<br />
with respect and kindness.<br />
I quote another source,<br />
this time Mahatma Gandhi,<br />
who said. “I hold that<br />
the more helpless a creature,<br />
the more entitled it is<br />
to protection by man from<br />
the cruelty of man.”<br />
As the 'superior' species<br />
we should be intelligent<br />
enough to do this, but sadly,<br />
some of our kind are even<br />
lower than the lowliest of<br />
animals. So, bless the<br />
beasts and save them from<br />
the cruelty of some members<br />
of our species.<br />
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16 MARCH 20<strong>17</strong>. ISSUE 98 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.pinoynzlife.nz Facebook: <strong>Filipino</strong> Migrant <strong>News</strong><br />
www.travelgalore.nz<br />
Iloilo island is one of<br />
the world's best<br />
By CRISELDA DAVID<br />
FMN Correspondent<br />
El Nido<br />
“Welcome to our resort, feel at home here with us<br />
in El Nido. Let us be at your service while you<br />
enjoy life in the Philippines!” - Lito Abuyan, Owner<br />
F o r b o o k i n g & e n q u i r i e s c o n t a c t L i t o A b u y a n<br />
M : 0 2 1 3 2 6 2 4 7 | P : 0 9 2 7 3 8 5 3 7<br />
E : l i t o . a b u y a n @ x t r a . c o . n z<br />
w w w . s e a h o r s e a n d m a n g r o v e . c o m<br />
ILOILO CITY, Philippines<br />
- The island of<br />
Cabugao Gamay in the<br />
province of Iloilo is considered<br />
by Forbes magazine<br />
to be one of the most beautiful<br />
places in the world.<br />
On its official website the<br />
small island was ranked<br />
#14 worldwide as provided<br />
by Beautiful Destinations<br />
- the largest travel and<br />
lifestyle community on<br />
Instagram, Facebook and<br />
Snapchat.<br />
The online community<br />
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This definitive list of the<br />
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According to the website<br />
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located two kilometres off<br />
the coast of Isla de<br />
Gigantes Sur in Carles,<br />
Iloilo.<br />
The island's shape is<br />
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rock formations, a gorgeous<br />
white sandbar and emerald<br />
waters.<br />
<strong>Filipino</strong> travel photographer<br />
Kimi Juan chose<br />
Cabugao Gamay and said<br />
that traveling is a big part<br />
of her life as it serves as a<br />
great source of inspiration<br />
for her work.<br />
“Seeing all these amazing<br />
places around the world<br />
and in my home country<br />
fuels me to go out and<br />
shoot and see more of the<br />
world,” said Juan.<br />
The inclusion of the<br />
Iloilo island can be found in<br />
the article 'Are These The<br />
20 Most Beautiful Places<br />
in the World?' written by<br />
Laura Begley Bloom.<br />
Editor - More travelogues<br />
can be found at: www.<br />
travelgalore.nz<br />
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