Upon the invitation of the Waikato Filipino Association (WFA) of New Zealand, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Glenn Joseph Obach attended the Philippine Independence Day celebration and served as the inducting officer for the new set of officers of the WFA on 29 June 2013 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Held in Melville Primary School Hall in Hamilton, the gathering started with a “Kamustahan,” a mix and mingle between the community members and guests. Stalls were set up outside the hall selling Filipino delicacies in a festive atmosphere. The program included a showcase of Filipino songs and dances, a taekwondo demonstration and a movie showing of “It Takes a Man and a Woman,” courtesy of The Filipino Channel (TFC).

In his remarks before the induction and oath-taking ceremony, Vice Consul Obach conveyed the greetings of Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez and the Philippine Embassy Team, and shared with the members of the WFA the various activities undertaken by the Philippine Embassy during the month-long celebration of the 115th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and the significant contributions of the Filipino community which make these events successful and meaningful. Reiterating this year’s theme, “Kalayaan 2013: Ambagan tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran,” Vice Consul Obach encouraged the new officers and members of the WFA to be dynamic participants to nation-building of both the Philippines and New Zealand.

Greetings and messages were also delivered by special guests who were one in expressing their appreciation to the Filipinos who continue to contribute positively to the workplace and enrich the local culture as well. Present in the occasion were Member of Parliament for Hamilton East Mr. David Bennett, Member of Parliament for Hamilton West Mr. Tim Macindoe, Ethnic Affairs Advisor Ms. Sandra Mackenzie, and Hamilton City Council Ethnic Development Advisor Mr. Philip Yeung.

The WFA, a social and cultural non-profit organization based in Hamilton City, was formed in 1993 and incorporated under Charitable Act #1957 on 13 December 2001. It was registered with the Charities Commission on 30 June 2008. It was founded primarily to preserve and promote Filipino ideals, values, culture and tradition among Filipinos and Filipino-Kiwi families in the Waikato region. Actively participating in local community activities and gatherings in recent years, the WFA has cultivated a close relationship with other cultural and ethnic groups in the region.

The newly inducted members of the 2013-2014 WFA Executive Committee are: Mr. Jun Valencia, Ms. Jennifer Gilchrist, Ms. Gladys Stephens, Mr. Fred Ramos, Ms. Inday Bernal, Ms. Josephine MacEwen, Mr. Ariel Imperial, Ms. Jenny Turingan, Mr. Jayson Pascual, Mr. Raymond Cosio, Ms. Ritchelle Roycroft, Ms. Michelle Moore, Ms. Nory Mayo, Ms. Valerie Purdie, Ms. Mely Hanley, and Ms. Fatima Keenan.