WHAT FUN! WHAT COMPETITION!

WHAT FILIPINO!

MAJOR SPONSOR.

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AyalaLand Sales Partner in New Zealand:

Debbie C. Libre debbielibre@yahoo.com

MESSAGE OF THANKS.

“Thank you, we enjoyed the games thoroughly,” said one of the participants

of LingawDuwa, the Filipino Sporting Event of the Year, that highlighted

FILIPINO FAMILY DAY, the first ever celebration of its kind in the world

held in Auckland, New Zealand.

Almost 200 enthusiastic people participated in the various Filipino ethnic

games with Tribu Irong Kagiron (from East Auckland) taking the KBNZ

Trophy and the top cash prize of $100.00. Congratulations.

Another highlight was the turnover to Norman Gayo the amount of more

than $11,000 raised from donations which was covered by Herald on

Sunday.

LingawDuwa was fun, competitive and Filipino. Most of the photos showed

intense play among the athletes, both young and not so young. But the

most memorable wasn't caught on camera -- little children between 4-7

years old playing among themselves the Filipino ethnic games they saw

their parents and siblings having fun. In a way, we have achieved our

objective of connecting our children to some of the customs and traditions

of the Philippines. The exercise was all worth it.

To all the tribus, visitors, supporters of the event, committee members and

sponsor AyalaLand, our sincere gratitude, until next year in East Auckland.

2 June 2013, Auckland, New Zealand

MEL B LIBRE ALVIN SONIEGA President Chairman, LingawDuwa

ALL TOGETHER WE ENJOYED

“The 1st Lingaw Duwa Sportsfest was a rousing success!”, declared event chairman Alvin Soniega. He said that, “the 10 competing teams really enjoyed playing the games that are unique to the Filipinos. The older ones reminisced their childhood game strategies while the younger ones were overwhelmed as they tried to learn the ropes of the games. Indeed, the event was a fitting salvo to commemorate the Philippine Independence Month. It was also an affirmation that a wholesome activity although organised by a regional group like the KBNZ, can unite all Pinoys if done in the spirit of camaraderie and fellowship." But one could not help but notice the infectious laughter, the shouts of encouragement, and the big smiles as participants played in the spirit of fun and camaraderie. For the organizers from the very start reminded the different delegations that fun was the main objective, while competition came second. Jam Parado summed it all in one sentence, “(In LingawDuwa) we enjoyed playing with family and friends.” Declared over-all winner was Tribu Irong Kagirun (top photo) from East Auckland for winning three (Batolata, Dakup-dakup and Siatong) out of four group events. In the individual events, Tribu Kabayong Idlas swept the Dama and Sungka contests. The organizers had their hands full with the shortage of referees, timers and the modification of the rules of the traditional games. “But we are thankful for all the teams for their patience and understanding in the decisions made by the referees,” said KBNZ President Mel B Libre, “there are things to be improved, and we are grateful to all who have made constructive suggestions”. Many of the participants have encouraged the organizers to hold another LingawDuwa next year, and during the closing ceremonies, the East Auckland delegation agreed to host the “Filipino Sporting Event of Year” in 2014. To all the participants, thank you, and let’s have fun again together in 2014!

LINGAWDUWA DIARY

June 1, 2013, Henderson Intermediate School, Auckland 8:30am

Dexter Ycong arrives to set up the sound system for the event. Omar Albinto (photo at left) attaches the projector for use of the powerpoint presentation. The night before, event committee members surveyed Henderson Intermediate School. They finalized the programme and placed the markers on two patintero (tubig-tubig) courts. Some of the requirements for the games (takyan and siatong) and the KBNZ trophy were left in the venue.

9:00am Other committee members start arriving to welcome early birds including the family of Norman Gayo. The big delegation from East Auckland pour into the venue, while TawagAwit St Mark’s led by Mikki Guantero prepare for their invocation. Event chair Alvin Soniega confers with heads of delegations.

9:45am The tribus assemble outside the gym for the parade of colors. A photographer from New Zealand Herald asks to take in advance a photograph of Norman Gayo and family receiving the cheque from KBNZ President Mel B Libre for donations.

10:00am

The parade of colors begin, as the players gather infront of the stage. The invocation is sang with Glen Relap from East Auckland reciting the prayer. Pres. Mel delivers a message saying

that “It is not the fault of our children if they become more Kiwi than Pinoy. The educational system trains them to be assimilating with other cultures, if not follow the liberal attitude of society. More so that media and legislation have stretched morality away from conservative values. But then parents can still do something so as not to alienate their children from Filipino custom and

tradition. Like the family praying the rosary, attending mass, celebrating birthdays and eating at the family dining table. Another way is by participating in community activities like Sinulog, Simbang Gabi and the Philippine Independence Day. Or joining organizations like Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand (KBNZ) for Bisaya-speaking people or UragoNZ for Bicolanos. There are also faith-based groups like Couples for Christ and TawagAwit.” Pres Mel calls on Norman Gayo with his two children to receive the $11,520.00 cheque, the amount raised to help them on the loss of Leah who died while delivering their second child. Norman thanks all those who helped him and his family through difficult times. The Filipino Family Oath is recited by all participants.

Chair Alvin welcomes the different delegations and emphasises that the competitions are first and foremost for fun and enjoyment. Co-chair Elmer Cerna asks participants to recite the Oath of Sportsmanship. Pres Mel officially opens LingawDuwa with a ceremonial hitting the twig of Siatong.

10:30am The games begin starting with elimination games in Patintero (Tubig-tubig), Batolata, Dakup-dakup and Siatong. Some of the youths have difficulty understanding the mechanics of the game, but eventually get into the groove by playing.

12:00pm LingawDuwa takes a break. A mini-concert hosted by Ferdie Esclamado have KIS and Andrea & Rebecca perform two numbers each to the delight of the crowd. Ferdie invites some participants to perform as well. Teams group together for their lunch inside the gym (others say outside), as the East Auckland delegation shared a lechon that they ordered for the event. Pinoy Grill sells Filipino food for those who didn’t bring any baon.

1:30pm The games resume towards the semi-final rounds. Two individual events start in the gym, namely Dama and Sungka. Due to time constraint, jumping rope and takyan were not contested. Tribu Talisayon Team Captain Ferdie, who takes a bad fall during the Batolata event, is given first aid, and brought to the hospital by Ian Ace Canete. (Ferdie was okay, and thanked all who attended to him).

3:30pm Final games begin in Patintero, Siatong, Dakup-dakup and Batolata. East Aucklanders dominate the group games, while West Auckland top the individual events.

4:30pm Chairman Alvin starts tabulating the results, while Pres Mel calls on representatives from the different groups to share their thoughts about the activity. Mikki Guantero and Glenn Relap (of East Auckland) thank the organisers for their efforts, while sharing tips on how they managed to win most of the group games: they practiced for two weekends. Omar Albinto (of West Auckland) gives a brief history on how KBNZ started Family Day which has now expanded into a community-wide Filipino Family Day. Pres Mel asks the big East Auckland delegation if they wanted to host next year’s FILIPINO FAMILY DAY/LingawDuwa to which they responded with a loud “Yes.” Everyone applauds the group for their affirmation. AyalaLand Sales International, the major sponsor of the event, represented by its sales partner in New Zealand Debbie Libre announces the winners of the raffle. The winners of the Inaugural Lingaw Duwa were announced by Chairman Alvin who handed their reprentatives cash prizes: Patintero, Tribu Kikik nga Layaw (East Auckland) $50; Batolata, Tribu Irong Kagiron (East Auckland)$50; Dakop-Dakop (Agaw Base) Irong Kagiron (East Auckland) $50; Siatong, Irong Kagiron (East Auckland) $50; Sungka, Chiari Golbin, Kabayong Idlas (West Auckland) $25; Dama, Glenn Golbin, Kabayong Idlas (West Auckland) $25; and, Overall winner - Irong Kagiron (East Auckland) $100 with the KBNZ Trophy. The entire East Auckland delegation occupy the stage for a group photo.

5:30pm The organizing committee members start aftercare activities. There were few rubbish to pick, as the participants threw their trash in the plastic bags distributed among the team coordinators. Thank you. Because there was no vacuum cleaner in the gym, event vice chairman Elmer goes home to get a vacuum cleaner to make the gym neat in preparation for a school event the next day. Dexter, Alvin and Mel delicately remove the masking tape markers for the patintero. Seven garbage-filled plastic bags are evenly shared among the families doing the aftercare tasks. 6:30pm Dexter Ycong who opened the gates in the venue leaves the last.

7:00pm Photos of the different events start to circulate in Facebook. Some of the comments include:

“Awesome and fun family day! Love it! We enjoyed playing with family and friends.

We didn't get the championship title but we will next time! Lol. This event definitely

deserves a 2nd round! Thanks and Congratulations KBNZ for a successful

event!” – Jam Parado, coordinator Tribu Agila

“The LingawDuwa was a wonderful experience although I ended up at the Waitakere Emergency because of chest pain after I slammed my body on the concrete ground. Nothing serious but I'm in pain. I'd like to thank the couple Ian Ace-Gay Marie Canete for bringing me to the hospital and Ace for staying with me at the hospital. Thank you also to Fiel Sorono-Albinto for the advises especially for me to go to the hospital. And of course the 2 families who were with me until I was ready to go home - Van Dexter Ycong and Alfred Belleza.”

– Ferdie Esclamado, coordinator Tribu Talisayon “Thank you to the organisers of the event. Hope we can do Filipino Family Day and LingawDuwa again next year.” – Jeffrey Nacario, coordinator Tribu Tamaraw

And the winners are: Overall winner - Irong Kagiron (East Auckland) Batolata 1. Irong Kagiron (East Auckland) 2. Kikik nga Layaw (East Auckland) 3. Iring Gilaygit (West Auckland) Dakop-Dakop (Agaw Base) 1. Irong Kagiron (East Auckland) 2. Kabayong Pak-an (East Auckland) 3. Agila (South Auckland) Siatong 1. Irong Kagiron (East Auckland) 2. Agila (South Auckland) 3. Talisayon (West Auckland) Patintero 1. Kikik nga Layaw (East Auckland) 2. Kabayong Pak-an (East Auckland) 3. Talisayon (West Auckland) Sungka Kabayong Idlas (West Auckland) Kabayong Pak-an (East Auckland) Talisayon (West Auckland) Dama Kabayong Idlas (West Auckland) Irong Kagiron (East Auckland) Ilagang Pawt (West Auckland) Best Flag Ilagang Pawt (West Auckland)

THANK YOU TO ALL THE COMPETING TEAMS

TRIBU IRONG KAGIRON

In Fun, In Action

In Fun, In Action

OVERHEARD “Salamat sa tanang mitabang, kaila og di kaila.”(Thank you to all who helped, friends and strangers) – Norman on help extended to his family on the untimely death of wife, Leah “With great response from kind hearted fellows (Pinoys, Kiwinoys, Biskiws and all other races, maybe) who have answered that call, for me it is a tremendous expression that love shows no boundaries and colours, I should say.” – Elmer on the outpouring of donations to Tabang Gayo fundraising campaign “Most importantly, we are here for fun and fellowship. Let’s enjoy.” – Alvin on the main objective of LingawDuwa “Where are the takyans?” - Mel on the case of the three missing takyans that caused the takyan competition to be cancelled “Can you speak in English, please?” – Jay reacting to the game instructions told in Bisaya “How can I help?” – Myriam volunteering to help as referee “And the winner is…” – Glenn, the best referee in the games “Next time kabalo na ang kids sa (the kids will know the) mechanics of the games.” – Tintin on next year’s games “KBNZ LingawDuwa is the first ever in the world. You guys make waves. Congratulations to all participants.” – Sendo to the organisers and participants “We won we won, best in banner.” – Fiel on failing to win the games. “Next time around, I suggest that the games be divided into two categories, kids and adults.” – Ferdie on competing with younger players “We should have the little kids play as well.” – Jam on getting the children involved in the games “Thank you for the invitation, we really enjoyed it.” – Greg on his assessment of the proceedings “The whole experience was inspiring.” – Mikki describing his feeling as LingawDuwa came to an end “YES!” – East Aucklanders response to hosting the FILIPINO FAMILY DAY and LingawDuwa in 2014

THANK YOU Sponsor

AYALALAND Participating Groups Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand URAGONZ, organisation of Bicolanos in New Zealand Farmcove Filipino Club (East Auckland) Kitakits (West Auckland) TawagAwit Coordinators Jam Parado Mikki Guantero Glenn Relap Jeffrey Nacario Ching Mandawe Ferdie Esclamado Fiel Albinto Tess Baclay Elmer Cerna Rio Beltran Gregorio Albao Ednalyn Borja Ramon Tonacao Volunteers Referees, timers, first aiders and cleaners Pinoy Grill and Kiwi Superfood NZ

Committee

Chair: Alvin Soniega Vice Chair: Elmer Cerna

Members: Tessie Baclay Dexter Ycong Love Ycong Debbie Libre

Rosendo Menchavez Adviser/Publicity:

Mel B Libre

KBNZ

joins all Filipinos in the world in celebrating

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY on June 12, 2013