Igorotak NZ helps not only its members but also people beyond Aotearoa.
By Celso Roger Baldo
Igorotak NZ received the Community Group of the Year Award at the Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards on 25 June 2022 in Auckland.
PALMERSTON NORTH – “Igorotak NZ aims to unite Filipino Igorots in New Zealand and to give them an opportunity to promote cultural awareness and build stronger relationships through various programs and events,” says Mendi Kipaan Julian, President of Igorotak NZ.
The group, based in Palmerston North, was formalised after a gathering on December 27, 2017. Since then, it has been making a name for itself in the community and helping not only its members but also people beyond Aotearoa.
They now have 400 registered members from all over Aotearoa. “As membership and activities are growing rapidly there’s a need for better coordination,” admits Mrs Julian. “We have registered our group with the Philippine Embassy to give us legitimate recognition and to facilitate communication.”
The group fund raises for its charity work and community service by organising bingo events and raffle draws.
Recently they geared up to raise money to help people in the Philippines affected by Typhoon Maring, particularly in Talibon, Bohol.
For the past four years, financial assistance has been given to families affected by landslides particularly in Natonin Mt. Prov, Bakun, Bokod Itogon, Benguet, Ambiong and Mirador Hills in Baguio City.
The group also helped people affected by Typhoons Ulysses and Odette at Talisay, Cebu.
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, financial assistance was provided to the local government units of Bakun, Hungduan and Kabayan.
In total, about 358,690.43 pesos (NZ$6,996.00) has been raised for the group’s charity and community services here and overseas.
“The pandemic has proved to be a challenging time for us,” says Frailan Datic, a registered nurse by profession and the secretary of Igorotak NZ. “Predictably there has been hardship for some of our members but positive things have arisen. It has brought us closer and enabled us to respond to the needs of our members.
“We helped not only our members but some of our fellow kababayans during their self-isolation, through the delivery of food parcels and Rapid Antigen Test kits.”
The group also provided monetary assistance to people who were made redundant at work and students who were in dire straits.
On December 10-11, 2022, the group organized a Post Arrival Orientation Seminar in coordination with staff from the Philippine Overseas Labour office based in Wellington. The orientation seminar facilitated by Labour Attache Angel Borja Jr. reached Igorot communities across Wanganui to the New Plymouth area.
The Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) provides all Filipino workers assistance on employment matters, thus ensuring that Filipino workers are not exploited or discriminated against.
Among the attendees were beekeepers, dairy farmers, builders and other tradies holding work Visas.
In promoting cultural awareness, the group has participated in Christmas Parades, a World on Stage presentation and cultural shows not only in Palmerston North but in other towns like Levin, Hunterville and Wanganui. The group even won second place at a street dance parade in the Taranaki Multi-ethnic Extravaganza held in March 2020.
Lea Dangli Buccahan is a respected member and elder of the group. She said that “even though we are living overseas, the culture of bayanihan is alive and well amongst the Igorots.
“It’s so important to preserve our culture and showcase our ethnic dances and attire wherever we go as we want our young generation to learn about our culture. ‘Mabuhay ang Igorotak NZ’”.
Upcoming events are: Cordillera Day on July 9 2022, at Palmerston North and the ‘Panagsasabat’ gathering for members and their families to be held next year in New Plymouth.
