Seven Pinoy achievers feted in New Zealand

Seven New Zealand-based Filipinos were feted for promoting the best of the Philippines at an event at the Philippine Embassy on April 13.   Philippine Ambassador Virginia Benavidez hosted the event dubbed an “Evening to Remember and Recognize Filipino Talents and Creativity” as part of the embassy’s cultural diplomacy.   In a news release on Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the event “showcased the positive image of the Philippines as the home of world-class talents and raised the profile of the Filipino community as among the best immigrant groups who have integrated themselves well in the local communities throughout New Zealand.”    Those feted during the event were:  

• Sylvia Shirin Zonoobi, the first Filipino to be appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Refugees and Migrant Communities in the New Year Honors List of New Zealand for 2003;

• Dr. Antonio Noblejas, Queen’s Service Medal Awardee for Services to the Filipino Community in New Zealand’s 2008 New Year Honors List and Recipient of the “Banaag Award” of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas’ 2008 Presidential Awards for Individuals and Organizations Overseas 

• Anita Mansell, Queen’s service medal awardee for services to the Filipino community in New Zealand’s 2011 Queen’s Birthday

• Oscar and Miriam Batucan, the first ever Filipino-New Zealand couple to be awarded the Benemerenti Medal given by Pope Benedict XVI on July 20, 2009

• Ivy Rose Padilla, Best Actress in a Leading Role – Musical North Area Performance Theatre Awards for 2011, and

• Josephine Garcia-Jowett, finalist of the Open Section, 2007 and 2010 World of Wearable Arts Awards Show, Commended in the Red Section of the  2003 World of Wearable Arts Awards Show and AKLnzPINOYS, Print Journalism Awardees in the 1st Media and Migration Advocacy Awards of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas for 2011.

  Benavidez also tendered a thanksgiving dinner for the honorees and their families.   Those present during the occasion were Cora Noblejas, Ken Mansell, Patrick Padilla, Carlo and Rhodora Jaminola representing the AKLnzPINOYS, Mico Santos, Cultural Officer Liza Jane Estalilla, and Cindy Santos.   The awardees conveyed their deep appreciation to the Philippine government for the acknowledgement of their inspiring testimonies to the good traits of Filipinos in New Zealand.   “They are the Philippine Embassy’s valuable partners in promoting the welfare and interests of Filipinos in New Zealand, supporting programs to highlight the rich and varied cultural, artistic and spiritual heritage of the Philippines and contributing, in their respective ways, to growth and progress in the Philippines,” Benavidez said. - VVP, GMA News