Kabayan Issue No. 4 now available

The Kabayan Magazine Summer Issue is now available!

(In case you're wondering, is the quarterly publication for the Wellington-based Filipino community).

This issue is rather significant to me because I have an article contribution in it!  Reminds me of the times I contributed articles to various publications back in the Philippines.  Sometimes the topics assigned were too much of a challenge (such as correlating Valentine's with anime' - I had to write and re-write for 2 weeks and still it did not come out right), but there were definitely loads more articles that I enjoyed writing.  This is one of them (which I enjoyed!), and I hope it shows with the way I have written the article.  My topic is about Filipinos celebrating a summer holiday here in New Zealand and how to spot them.  It actually made me nostalgic about my summer adventures back in the Philippines with friends and family.

Here is the Kabayan Summer Issue in PDF (7MB).  It is also available in e-magazine format at the Pinoystop website (along with the earlier issues).

A worthwhile endeavour

As with a lot of people all over the world, we also felt that we needed to do something as news of the devastation from the typhoon in the Philippines trickled in.  We started to think of ways to fundraise, and finally decided on a Garage Sale, with request for donations of baked goods.

As news of the project gained momentum, people started dropping off goods.  From company announcements to social media alerts, the message made its way around, and friends and strangers started pitching in.

The group made its way to the Garage last Wednesday to help with sorting, then followed it up the day before the event.  It was hard work, but it was fun too.

The reception this activity received on Saturday was just amazing.  We had people buying a small item and refusing their change.  Some tried to buy as much as they can.  Still, others simply went there to donate cash.  Many lingered and chatted while enjoying the baked goods, pan de sal and arroz caldo for brunch.

We raised around $1,500.00 from this event, with donations by electronic banking still ongoing til this Friday.  The group will endeavour to make every cent count and get the money sent directly to the beneficiary (which is currently under discussion).

Maraming salamat po (thank you very much) for everyone who supported this project!

If you would like to contribute to this activity, please visit the BarkadahaNZ website.

Fundraising for Typhoon Haiyan victims in the Philippines

Barkadahanz is an organisation of Filipino families located in the Northern suburbs of Wellington, New Zealand. We are currently raising funds for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

We are coordinating with various local agencies helping in Tacloban and nearby communities to find the best way of channeling our donations. Please watch this page for updates re this fundraising initiative.

If you want to donate through us please use the account details (for electronic banking) below:
ASB Account No. 12 3223 0160240 50
Reference: HAIYAN
Code: your surname

For further inquiries, please contact:
Cory Gawe (04 4774251 / 027 588 2276), or
Nick or Tina Ballesteros (04 477 4069)

We are also running a Garage Sale on the 23rd of November. Details below (click image to enlarge).



Salamat po for your assistance. Please help spread the word also.