Andrew Matheson's blog

Andrew Matheson is New Zealand's ambassador to the Philippines and has been in our home country since September 2008. Which is quite a coincidence because that was also the month and year that we migrated to New Zealand.

Mr Matheson has a blog hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade. Hopefully, he will be updating it regularly so we can also have an appreciation of the growing New Zealand - Philippines relations.

His recent post about a conservation project in Camiguin island triggered happy memories of our vacation there with friends, and his topic on the possibility of having a direct flight between these two countries is definitely something we can relate to. It's turning out to be quite an interesting blog.

They love our shows!

My wife told me an interesting story from her part time job. One of her colleagues - a Samoan - asked if she was Filipino. When she said she was, her colleague excitedly told her that they love our soap operas! They actually know Piolo Pascual, Angel Locsin, Jericho Rosales, and Kristine Hermosa, among others. They love Lobo, Gulong ng Palad, Maging Sino ka Man (and there just might be more).

I have since learned from fellow Pinoys that Samoans and Fijians indeed love our shows. They say that they can relate to the stories, and that our soaps and movies are rather good. That's really heartening to know. I guess we have something in common with our Pacific Island neighbours!

A quick search in the Net revealed that in Samoa, Gulong ng Palad even had a nightly timeslot and it was very popular. Lucky Samoa, at least they have Filipino content on TV. Here in New Zealand, you have to subscribe to a rather pricey, single-channel cable service to get Filipino TV.

So if you have a friend from Samoa or Fiji, try to find out if they like a particular Filipino actor / actress and you can buy them DVDs (with English subtitles!) as pasalubong (gift) when you visit the Philippines!

Free movie: Grave of the Fireflies

The Japan Information and Cultural Centre provides monthly screening of Japanese movies. For July, it's Grave of the Fireflies.

Contrary to most Studio Ghibli films which exude warmth, childhood joys, fantasy and imagination, Grave of the Fireflies tells a story of anguish and suffering during World War II. Two orphans' lives take centre stage as they try to cope with the tribulations of war. Eerily true to depicting human suffering, there are haunting scenes which I still remember even though I have watched this film many years ago.

And while it is anime, grownups might feel the overall theme to be very depressing for their youngsters to watch.  It's survival of the fittest, and in the face of war who suffers the most but the innocent children?

The story is based on the semi-autobiographic novel by the same name, whose author, Nosaka, lost his sister due to malnutrition in 1945 wartime Japan. He blamed himself for her death and wrote the story so as to make amends to her and help him accept the tragedy. (from Wikipedia)

Watching this film made me wish that my generation (and all future generations) will not experience war, as I'm sure many viewers of this film will feel as well.  It's such a touching story about victims of war, you will surely remember this as an endearing and significant film.

Watch this film for free at the Japan Information and Cultural Centre, 100 Willis Street, Wellington on 27 and 29 July at 6PM.