A taste of the Philippines in New Zealand
Business and pleasure mix at the
2nd Philippines Festival and Trade Show, (Fiesta Pilipinas sa Auckland) at Alexandra Park Function Centre at Greenlane West Road, in Greenlane, over the weekend of May 10-11. Entry is free of charge.
The festival will feature a mix of exhibitors both Filipino and Kiwi companies says Sheila Mariano, editor of Filipino News, New Zealand’s only monthly Filipino newspaper and the event organiser. The show this year is sponsored by Western Union and ABS-CBN.
"The aim of the Philippines Festival is to promote and celebrate the rich Filipino culture, to entertain and to promote Filipino entrepreneurs," says Mariano. The first show drew record crowds and exhibitors were very pleased with the turn-out.
"But from the cultural programme point of view the first show was a learning curve for us and visitor feedback has helped us fine tune the offerings at this year’s show to please visitors. For example there will be more food stalls and exhibitors at our event than in any Filipino function ever organised in New Zealand. We have invited the leading Filipino fiesta bands and performers for the show this year."
"In the 'Barrio Fiesta' stage, performers will include the ever popular Philippine Impulse Dancers, Babes, a well known Filipino crooner and recording artistes such as the Reborn and the Geoff Gonzaga band, to name a few."
Besides on-stage cultural presentations, there will be popular Filipino pay-TV programs on show, celebrities putting in an appearance, including participants of the Maginoo at Binibining Fiesta Pilipinas 2008 Contest 2008.
On Sunday 11th May there will be a Mass celebrated in the Delightful Lady Lounge at 10am. The Philippines Ambassador to New Zealand, His Excellency Mr. BIENVENIDO V. TEJANO and his family will be VIP Guests at the Show and will be having Mother’s Day lunch with community leaders and touring the Barrio Fiesta.
The range of the product and services at the show will include travel, money transfer, home accessories, freight forwarding, Filipino food products, immigration services, home loans advice, Filipino pay-TV, a Job Fair and lots more. Fiesta Pilipinas is now used by companies to launch their new products and services to the Filipino market in New Zealand. Visitors can expect to see some firsts at the show, including the launch of new money transfer companies and the announcement of direct telecast of popular television programmes from the Philippines in Filipino News!
Exhibitors will be offering attractive lucky draw prizes and a chance to win two return tickets to Manila (for contestants of the Maginoo at Binibining Fiesta Pilipinas 2008) and a cash prize for readers of Filipino News!
Fiesta Pilipinas has twin objectives – to introduce Kiwis and other ethnic communities to this vibrant culture and to offer Filipinos information about life in New Zealand and view a showcase of products and services of Filipino companies – all under one roof. "Our Fiesta is different from all other Filipino functions in New Zealand in that we are not preaching to the converted, but reaching out to the wider community. New Zealanders need to have a look into this vibrant culture that is making its mark in our cultural landscape," says Mariano.
A bonus for visitors will be the chance to see the 6th Auckland Migrant Expo and Job Fair, which will be open for viewing at the same venue.
"This business and cultural festival is now an annual affair in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton attracting a record number of visitors in each location," says Mariano. "The 3rd Auckland Feista is planned next year and on a very grand scale on the Northshore. We invite community groups and business to join us to make this one event Filipinos will be proud to showcase to our kababayan and to the wider community."
Contact Sheila Mariano on 09 443 7886or 027 495 8477,
Email: fiestapilipinas@xtra.co.nz