Maya Magazine Issue 5

lorem

ipsum Celebrating Filipino Life in New Zealand Issue 5 | March 09

FREE SUBSCRIPTION

Autumn is officially here. We’re getting more rain and the days are noticeably shorter. But, what a gorgeous summer it has been – events, concerts and movies in parks, families enjoying the outdoor and golfers taking advantage of an exceptionally good run.

This month, we capture our best memories of New Zealand summer. Revisit the colours and energy of the Auckland Chinese lantern festival. Discover Kaukapakapa, a charming rural town in the Rodney District.

Emilie Shie travels far and shares with us memories of her great journey to the home of golf. Back in New Zealand, we congratulate Pinoy golfers in Wellington for winning the annual Intercity Golf Tournament.

We also congratulate Dr Tony Noblejas, a recipient of the Republic of the Philippines Presidential Banaag Award. Find out how he celebrated with his family and friends.

If the change in weather is making you wish for the warmer climate of the Philippines, make sure you read our feature story on Sagada. Also keep an eye on our next month’s issue. I will be in Manila and Palawan this month. It is a holiday that I am most looking forward to share with you!

Memories to warm the heart

2 Celebrating Filipino Life in New Zealand

Issue 5 | March 09

Auckland Chinese Lantern Festival Lanterns of vibrant colours and unusual shapes transformed Albert Park into a cultural wonderland


Issue 5 | March 09


Issue 5 | March 09

Etiam eu ipsum. Donec ac arcu.

- sodales.


Issue 5 | March 09


Issue 5 | March 09

A walk in the park The Auckland Domain is the oldest park in New Zealand. It is situated at the very heart of Auckland City. It is home to some of the city’s largest outdoor events such as the Starlight Symphony and Christmas in the Park concerts.

Tourists visit to get their photos taken in front of the Auckland War Memorial Museum. And of course, not to be missed is the must-do trip to the summer and winter gardens where flowers bloom the whole year round.

The Parnell Trust offers guided walks during the summer months. Enthusiastic volunteers share what they know about the park’s topography and history.

One hot day, I joined the walk with the intention of burning a few calories. It turned out to be more than just an exercise – it was educational and fun too. Did you know that the park sits on a volcanic crater that exploded some 60,000 years ago? Can you imagine the forest and swamps dominating the landscape only 100 years ago? It is hard to imagine what the Domain was like before it was turned into what it is today - a park enjoyed by people playing their favourite summer sport, a venue for concerts and a meeting place for friends.

The two-hour guided walk ended too quickly and a sense of privilege settles in - a 100 hectare pristine park in my city? Priceless.


Issue 5 | March 09

Make the most of Auckland’s free outdoor events. Bring a picnic and enjoy cultural shows, concerts and movies with your family and friends. Check out the Auckland City Council’s websites for event schedule. www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/events

The Auckland Chinese Lantern Festival at Albert Park

Jazz bands play at the Domain Park’s rotunda

Crowds gather at the outdoor cinema in Mt Eden Park

Issue 5 | March 09

Life in the Wops

Wop wops. That's Kiwi talk for nowhere.

To most Aucklanders, Kaukapakaupa is almost that – it is 60 kilometres north of the central business district. But the pastoral lifestyle is quite a contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.

One Saturday afternoon, I found myself at the local school's country fair.

What was on offer? Pony rides, a Mission Impossible obstacle tent, carnival rides, plants sale, police dogs display, pre-1900s military reenactment, homemade meals, carboot sale and belly dancing!


Issue 5 | March 09

If you're a metroholic who truly loves the noise and smell of the city, you would probably be disappointed. Unlike the extravagance and colour of the most humble town fiesta in the Philippines, the Kaukapakapa's country fair is very simple and laidback.

What about the belly dancing?

Women in their 40s, maybe 50s, carefree and engrossed in the joy of midday dancing. And this, I realize is the beauty of the countryside- where people don't really care about how they look, how they smell or what they're wearing.

Simple joys abound. Kids are not obsessed with Playstation and a pony rules over Barbie. A plant sale creates a crowd. Ukay-ukay is socially acceptable. (It is very much like trying out your luck. Let's see who gets to spot a real bargain. A lady was so overjoyed - she purchased a pram for, you guess it, a dollar!)

In Kaukapakapa, it is all about a community coming together to have fun.

Wops is not that alien after all.


Issue 5 | March 09

Stairway to paradise Mystical, serene and graceful in its isolation. Travelers call Sagada the Shangri La of the Philippines. What is so special about this place that it is likened to a paradise? How to get there Sagada is 275 kilometres north of Manila. The trip begins in a crowded bus station in Cubao, EDSA. There are two ways to reach Sagada. You can either take a bus going to Banaue and from there, take two more jeepney rides; or go to Baguio City first, and then transfer to a smaller coach heading to Sagada. Trips to Banaue were fully booked. We had to take the second option which was four hours longer. It took us fourteen hours to reach Sagada by this route. Sagada is definitely worth the long and grueling road trip. .


Issue 5 | March 09

A town of irresistible charm The town is small. It can be explored in less than three hours. The Municipal Hall sits at the center of the town. The St. Mary’s Episcopal Church stands adjacent to it. Hostels, restaurants and other tourist-oriented establishments surround both major landmarks. A short walk from the foot of the Church will lead the traveler to the town cemetery. Fresh piles of burnt wood are found everywhere. Burning wood is a substitute to using candles. Wax products were not commercially sold until the mid-90s. Traditions for all to see A trail from the cemetery leads to a scenic view of the mountainside’s lush forest. With a good pair of binoculars, hanging coffins can be seen amid rock structures of the opposite mountain.

It is sad to note that in spite of the historical and cultural values of these hanging coffins, tourists have been vandalizing them. On the surface of nature-preserved coffins are names of irresponsible tourists written in cheap and bold paint. Nourishment for the body and spirit By the time we finished worming our way back to the town proper, we were famished with the unexpected calorie burn. Restaurants offer a wide variety of food choices. It’s worthwhile to try all the restaurants. They serve hot, fresh and delicious meals. Meat portions are extraordinarily generous and vegetables are fresh. Make sure you try the local mountain tea and wine. Desserts, from crepes to yogurts, are topped with delicious and sweet fruit.


Issue 5 | March 09

Two hours of walking across rice fields and indigenous communities will take you to Bumod-Ok waterfalls. Loudly crashing against big, solid rocks is the cold and freezing water of the mountains. A few brave souls jumped in for a quick swim. We had to walk back to the community clearing where jeepney drivers were waiting for the arrival of passengers. While waiting for other tourists to finish their trek, we ate our packed lunch and had the beautiful landscape of Sagada rice terraces as our backdrop. After finishing our meal, we still had enough time to play basketball with the locals. They are sports-oriented. They have a huge open field for softball matches just beside the Municipal Hall and improvised basketball rings are everywhere.

Unusual relaxing experience Entrepreneurial kids approached us and offered to massage our achy feet. My masseur, who is about ten years old, used two tiny twigs as needles. The technique is similar to acupuncture. Pressure was applied to nerve points by pressing twigs deep into the sole of the foot. It was ticklish at first and heavenly once you get used to it. Natural high The jeepney driver dropped us off in the middle of a forest. We walked for about an hour. The forest floor is spectacular. Sometimes we’d be walking on a bed of soft grass and pine needles. Sometimes, we’d be skipping from one rock to hard, days-old animal manure.


Issue 5 | March 09

The view at the Kilpetan Viewpoint is breathtaking. It offers a panorama of Sagada’s rice terraces, communities and mountain ranges. As we make our way back to our accommodation, a local wedding celebration was being held. Men were wearing their traditional costume. The father of the bride was wearing a red handkerchief. He was leading and inviting other male guests to join the dancing. They were either holding gongs or improvised drums (kitchen pots). Our guide informed us that the celebration would go on until the wee hours of the morning. Everybody, locals and tourists alike, were invited to join in the dancing. Our next stop was Sagada’s famous caves. Our walk started at the Municipal Hall. It took about forty

minutes to reach the cave. We stopped along the way to hire kerosene lamps from a sari-sari store. The cave’s entrance doesn’t give away the wonders that await inside. Aside from a post explaining what to do and not to do inside, the cave looks dark and unimpressive. But wait till you walk in! The walls are yellow due to its sulfuric properties. Numerous water formations and impressive stalagmites naturally decorate the dark walls of the cave. The mini-waterfall at the King and Queen’s curtains is impressive. Nature, culture, history and adventure. My trip to Sagada is as close as I could get to paradise.


Issue 5 | March 09

The home of golf

To any golf enthusiast, the British Isles is a must. Since the 15th century, golf has been the sport of the strong and mighty in this part of the world.

A visit to the “Home of Golf” will always evoke the feeling of belonging. It is here where, some centuries ago, people of consequence would converge to play and socialise. They must have talked of the challenges and hardships that one has to go through, just to play golf.

It is not just the courses that challenge and test a golfer in the British Isles. A player’s game is also affected by the weather.

Image from psmga.com

By Emilie Shie


Issue 5 | March 09

There are 2,000 golf courses in the British Isles. The number alone would awe golfers from other parts of the world. The customs and practices would also elicit strong impressions especially among women players.

Our first stop was Edinburgh. The golf courses in Scotland are so interesting. All the courses have their unique attractions like its history, the origin of the clubs and its scenery.

One of the highlights of my trip is getting to play at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, which dates back from the 15th century. The windswept, verdant course with an antiquated clubhouse would impress any player. The course has a great variety of unexpected challenges. Imagine a situation where a lady player can only play after balloting. The man-dominated course seems to perpetuate customs that we, in modern times, would consider shocking.

I also visited Carnoustie. Since 1560, golf has been quite a popular sport here. However, it has particular characteristics that even seasoned golfers find challenging. The bitter wind called the “gamekiller” can mean all the difference in a player’s game. This course is also called the “sleeping giant”. The course offers excitement that even most seasoned players can’t resist.

Next stop is Downfield. It is one of the finest golf courses in the British Isles. The course itself is young and modern. Downfield is among the clubs that accept ladies to full membership – something new in Scotland. The golf course is demanding but the breathtaking scenery makes the game more enjoyable.

We also visited courses in Ireleand. We had the privilege of playing in Cork Golf Club. Amidst the pretty-as-a-picture background, golf became more interesting with the backdrop of an old quarry on one side and a sweeping view of the estuary on the other.

The challenge of the course is that the tee shot on the shore of the river must have a long carry across water. This is the place where the Irish Professional Match Play is usually held.

We went to see Killarney Golf and Fishing. Surprisingly, golf in the area was started by Viscount Castellrose, a writer of the time. He made use of the old course during a break from his writing pursuits. In 1949, the course was the venue of the Irish Amateur Championship. Tony Jacklin, a golfer of fame, once described the course as among the world’s finest.

Ballybunyon is a course to which any golf architect should go and play before they build a golf course. Some consider it the finest in the world. It is the only course in the world where the water caresses the course itself. It was very challenging. It was a great experience to play here.

As a golfer, I paid homage to the history that makes the sport of golf alluring and exciting. It was quite an experience to visit its home. This is where golf had its beginning. A visit to the “home of Golf” is the highest tribute I could pay to the sport that has given me a thousand thrills and some more.

Emilie’s love for golf lives on. She is shown here giving an award to Butch Tagle (left), the winner of this year’s Consul General’s Cup. Also in the photo is Roy Buquiron (right), Pinoy Golf Auckland president.


Issue 5 | March 09

Intercity showdown

Wellington took advantage of local conditions to wrest the Pinoy Ryder Cup from Auckland, 12-8.

Wellington led on the first day of competition, 4-3 on the four-ball best-ball format. Auckland was very much in the game and needed to win eight points out of the fourteen points on offer on the second day. But a consistent Wellington team denied them the opportunity and sealed the win by winning eight points. Thus, extending their lead for a total points haul of 12 against Auckland's 8.

Wellington waited three years to exact this win against the visiting Auckland team led by team captain Noel Cosio and Pinoy Golf Auckland president Roy Buquiron. The first time Wellington held the Cup, they defended it for five consecutive years. Will this win signal the start of another run?

The golfers are a little older, their hair a bit more grey but the competition will be no less fierce when Auckland hosts Wellington next year, 2010.

The most important things we pick up from this sport are the lessons we have gained, the friendships we have built, the dignity in carrying ourselves win or lose, the hope that was stirred in us that we can get better, and the unending joy of discovery – discovering our inner strength in the midst of trials, discovering our minds and hearts to fight to the last stroke, discovering our faith to the Divine and unseen forces – that whatever we do or tried to do, our little will is subjugated to the Divine will. ROY BOQUIRON

Congratulations Wellington!

BY SAM DIGNADICE


Issue 5 | March 09

BOQUIRON, Roy COSIO, Noel

DACULAN, Jude DIGNADICE, Sam

DORADO, Mar HANSEN, Mitzi

HONORE, Chris LLANES, Rov

MENDOZA, Donjie MISA, Billy

PASCUAL, Rene RODRIGUEZ, Ray TAGLE, Butch WONG, Jimmy

ALVAREZ, Julianne ANDREWS, Ollie ARBOLEDA, Alex

MAGADIA, Ed GARAY, Ed LARANANG, Boni

LAURELES, Nelson MAGADIA, Lito MILO, Archie

NOVAL, Soli PALADO, Sar PARRENO, Kiel

RAQUEPO, Flor SAMANIEGO, Rob SANTOS, Ed

SORIANO, Raymond Mee

t the

pla

yers

AUCKLAND = 8 PTS WELLINGTON = 12 PTS


Issue 5 | March 09

In Manila

1 Dr Tony Noblejas QSM receives the Presidential Banaag Award for advancing the cause of the Filipino community in New Zealand

2 Ambassador Bienvenido Tejano (centre) hosts a celebratory party after the awarding

3 Dr Noblejas and his family pose with Filipino actor Piolo Pascual

Barangay Pinoy congratulates Dr Tony Noblejas QSM, a recipient of the Presidential Banaag Awards

1

2

3


Issue 5 | March 09

Back in Auckland

1 Courtesy call to Honourable Consul General Emilie Shie. Also shown in the photo are former Consuls Sanny Ty and Graeme Dabb

2 Dr Tony Noblejas and his wife Cora Noblejas prepare for their thanksgiving party

3 The Filipino community joins the Noblejas in their celebration

A family man, an avid basketball fan, a hard working businessman and a fisherman. Most of all, he is a friend to many Filipinos who now call New Zealand home.

1

2 3


Issue 5 | March 09

I ♥ the Philippines Photography | Dada Docot

Maya is a free electronic newsletter distributed to the Filipino community in New Zealand. To submit photos, community-related announcements, feedback and requests for subscription, email [email protected]. Please feel free to forward copies to your family and friends.

The still waters and lush forests of Lake Buhi reinvigorate the senses

Maya Magazine Issue 5

Documents

Transcript of Maya Magazine Issue 5