A sea of blue

Photo c/o RMO

I was invited to attend the NZ National Party Campaign Launch yesterday at the Trust Arena in Henderson, Auckland.  It was literally a sea of blue, which is the party colors.  The cold, windy and dreary weather didn't seem to dampen the spirits of the attendees.  There was even a huge Indian delegation that had drummers adding to the fiesta atmosphere.  I noticed that there was also a huge Chinese crowd, chanting and revving up the crowd, right outside the arena.  I was there upon the invitation of Paulo Garcia who is running for the New Lynn seat.

I overheard one media person covering the event, mention never having seen so much high-value cars and vehicles in the parking lot.  There were also attendees who came on chartered buses, from all points of Auckland.  It was a very festive atmosphere, seeing heaps of people dancing by the side of the huge stage, while the band was playing.  I recall watching John Key on TV nearly three years ago on election night when he uttered in jubilation : "three more years."  Will Bill English say the same line a couple of weeks from now?

Now, I'm waiting for my invitation to cover the looming red tide!

National Senior Citizens Day

Photo c/o sparkpeople.com

Today is my day too!  In my lifetime, I've had the privilege of being granted three citizenship's: Philippine, New Zealand, and Senior Citizen, and that is more than enough for me!

I know of some Kiwinoy friends who have relocated to Australia and Canada, after getting their NZ citizenship. Of course, they have valid reasons for doing so and I truly respect them for that. I said more than enough because I'm enjoying the privilege of living and enjoying my life in three ways: Filipino in values, customs, traditions, and belief systems; Kiwi in outlook, mindset, and perspective; Senior in thoughts and deeds.

"This day was created as a day to support, honor and show appreciation to our seniors and to recognize their achievements.  Their valuable contributions to our communities to create better places to live" (National Day Calendar)

I wish my fellow senior citizens all over the world a happy and blessed day!

Mensahe para sa Buwan ng Wika

Photo c/o balay.ph

Dahil sa ako ay bumalik na sa pagtuturo, nais ko sanang gumawa ng isang aktibidad na naaayon sa paggunita at pagdiwang ng Buwan ng Wika. Naisip ko yung mga dating ginagawa natin sa paaralan: sayaw, tula, musika, isports, kultural na palabas, pelikula, atbp. Siguro sa susunod na taon na lamang, dahil medyo bagito pa ako dito sa Auckland. Kinakailangan pa ng mas matinding paghahanda para dito.  Ang naisip ko na lamang ay humingi ng mensahe mula sa isang kilala, hinahangaan at kagalang-galang na tao, at maari kong ibahagi sa mga nagbabasa at sumusunod sa aking blog. Maraming salamat po Ambassador Jesus Domingo sa mensahe n'yo para sa amin.

“Wikang Pambansa, Susi sa Pagbabago”

Tulad ng watawat, salapi at mga bayani, ang pambansang wika ay sagisag ng isang bayan. Gayunpaman, ang pagtataguyod nito ay tila isang pagpapasya na naaayon dapat sa kagustuhan ng bawat isa sa atin na nangangailangan ng malawak na pag-unawa kung ano nga ba ang kahalagahan nito sa ating lipunan. Subalit hindi ibig sabihin ay hahayaan nating maglaho ang napakarami, iba’t iba at makulay na nakagisnang lenguwahe. Ang pagiging multilinguwal ay isa mismong katangian ng pagka-Filipino. Ang ordinaryong kababayan natin ay nakapag-aral at nakapagsasalita ng Ingles, madalas pamilyar sa mga katagang Arabe at Espanyol na napakalaki ng ambag sa ating pambansang wika, at marunong ng katutubong dila ng kaniyang rehiyon. Kung nasa ibayong dagat naman, tayo ay mabilis na natututo ng wika ng kinalulugaran bansa. Ngunit habang ang Ingles na nagsisilbing opisyal na wika ay siyang naguugnay sa atin sa mundo, kailangan naman ang Filipino upang magbigkis sa atin bilang isang bansa. Makikilala at maunawaan natin ang mga kaisipan, kuro-kuro, hangarin, pag-uugali at pagkakakilanlan ng sariling bansa kung naiintindihan natin ang wika ng pangkaraniwang taong-bayan o masa. Ito ay nananalamin kung ano ang ating pagtanaw, pagkakakilala, at paggalang sa kung sino ba talaga tayo. Nakapailalim din sa sariling wika ang kahulugan at kabuluhan ng ating kasaysayan kung kaya ang Filipino ay lumalago kasabay ng pagsulong ng panahon. Yumayabong ito bilang tagahatid ng bagong kaalaman, konsepto, katotohanan at kaganapan na makatutulong sa atin na umangkop sa pangkasalukuyan, lumikha ng mga ideya at karunungan, at magsikap na matamo ang pagpabago. Mapapansin na ang modernong anyo nito na tinatawag nating Filipino, ay napakalayo na mula sa tradisyunal na pinag-ugatang Tagalog. Samakatuwid, ang diwa at esensiya ng Filipino bilang pambansang wika na siyang susi ng paglago at pag-unlad ng bayan ay sa pamaagitan ng dalawang paraan - bilang tagapagtaglay ng mahahalagang kaalaman at bilang isang puwersa ng pagkakaisa.

Politicians, elections in NZ

Photo c/o politics.org.nz

It is my natural curiosity, my inquisitiveness, that led me to discover this site called the Department of Personal Opinions and it is quite an interesting one, most especially now that we're having our general elections in a couple of months time. I've done a cursory look and it is a good site to start with in understanding NZ politics.  I guess just like any politician in any country, they are always busy, well some of them are while others appear to be, and others seem to be.  I've emailed a number of them in Parliament with some, well a handful really, graciously answering my email within 24 hours (which is good email etiquette really).  A few were answered by their staff, and the rest totally ignored.  It's not easy to get their attention, even during election time, specially when you're not within their media radar.  I'll keep on knocking at their door, until someone, anyone, gets to open it.

Our Lady of the Assumption

Photo c/o RMO

My Auntie Pilar gifted my family with this blessed image of Our Lady of the Assumption nearly 20 years ago.  She handed it over to us when she was about to move to the United States.  This was gifted to her by Fr. Vic Tugade, a good friend of hers stationed in Nueva Vizcaya.  She informed me that she hand-carried the image on board a public bus from the province to Manila.  Here is a good link if you want to know more about the Assumption of Mary.  In Aotearoa New Zealand we have the Our Lady of the Assumption Onehunga parish with it's beautiful church, on top of a hill. We also have in Christchurch an elementary school, the Our Lady of the Assumption School.  It is also believe that the Assumption is the oldest feast of Our Lady.  Happy feast day everyone.

National Garage Sale Day

Photo c/o nationaldaycalendar.com

I didn't really get to go to garage sales until my family came over a year and a half after I arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand.  We were living in Hamilton then, when my wife and I decided to have as our date, going to garage sales.  There is this on-going joke between the two of us that our dates nowadays are going to the supermarket, laundromat, farmer's market, and now we added garage sales.  We were fortunate that the Waikato Times' Friday edition usually had a list of garage sales around Hamilton.  The trick in getting the best deals is to get in as early as possible on a Saturday morning.  Most garage sales would start at 8:00 a.m. but we also encountered several that started as early as 7:00 a.m. It would also be to your advantage if you know the area so that you'll have a general idea of who are the people living in that neighborhood and the kind of items you'll get to see being sold.  Through the years, we've seen all kinds of things being sold.  The beauty of garage sales are these pre-owned items are still of good quality and at a fraction of it's original price.  I also liked it when I saw items that had some history behind it (meaning it's not only old stuff but things from yesteryear's).  I do hope I'll get to do this leisurely, fun activity here in Auckland too.

Dining with heroes 2

Dahil eleksyon po dito sa atin, naisip ko i-compile yung mga sagot ng ilang MPs mula sa ibang blog posts ko.  They were respondents to my old blog's Q&A. Suntok sa buwan yung iba d'yan, buti naman at sinagot ako.  However, there are a few that I do know personally and I've seen how they interact with their constituents, especially with the Filipino community.  I'm interested in finding out who are their heroes and inspiration, by answering the question: name three people, living or dead, you'd like to invite for dinner and why?

Photo c/o parliament.nz

Jacinda Ardern (Labour Party)
A: Earnest Shackleton, the Antarctic explorer and one of my heroes!  His story of survival during the Endurance expedition is amazing and I would love to hear it in person.  Nelson Mandela.  I was lucky enough to meet him a few years ago. What an amazing man.  And finally, Wislawa Szymborska. She is a Polish poet. She lived through World War Two, and went on to win the Nobel prize for Literature.  Her writing is amazing, but I would love to hear her stories in person!

Photo c/o stuff.co.nz

Denise Roche (Green Party)
A: Nelson Mandela - because I am in awe of his ability to be steadfast in his convictions despite being unfairly imprisoned for so long and then going on to try to heal the divisions in his country once he became his country's leader. Helen Kelly - because she died too soon. She had a truly remarkable mind - with enormous creativity and optimism and an incisiveness that sometimes astounded me. Te Rauparaha. I am a direct descendant of this fearsome warrior and while I espouse peace, his strategic mind would be interesting to explore.

Photo c/o forabetterauckland.org.nz

Phil Goff (Mayor, Auckland City)
A: Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Ed Hillary because they were all people with great achievements but real humility who worked hard to make life better for other people.  Actually I did have dinner several times with Ed Hillary when we were together on a visit to Antarctica in 2007.

Photo c/o idealog.co.nz

Nikki Kaye (National Party)
A: Hillary Clinton - to try and understand one of the most competent, female, political leaders.  My Uncle Hamish who died before I was born - so I could meet the man that died so young, did so much and continues to be adored by everyone in my family. Forever loved.  Elvis - it would be a great fun dinner with wonderful soul music and good Southern food.

Photo c/o national.org.nz

Tim Macindoe (National Party)
A: Mahatma Gandhi---his personal life, experiences and example have always moved me.  My paternal grandmother.  She died before I was born and I'd love to have known her and to ask about my father as a child, etc.  C.S. Lewis---a humble, intelligent and faithful man.  His books are always worth reading.

Photo c/o national.org.nz

David Bennett (National Party)
A: I am intrigued by history so would choose some historical figures to see what made them tick, namely Queen Victoria and Abraham Lincoln.  Also, I would like to have dinner with Barack Obama to make some suggestions for the future.

Photo c/o labour.org.nz

Sue Moroney (Labour Party)
A: I would love to get Lorde, Helen Clark and Kate Sheppard together in a room.  They are pioneering Kiwi women and I would enjoy the conversation.  It would be interesting to see the similarities and differences between the woman who fought for the right for women to vote and the 17-year-old modern day self-proclaimed feminist.

Mark twain's quote on politicians

Photo c/o azquotes.com

I really don't know the context behind what Mark Twain was quoted as saying: politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.  Did he have a terrible time dealing with politicians? What would have been his experience with politics and politicians?  Was he disillusioned, disgusted, frustrated, dismayed, and devastated by the shenanigans of the politicians of his time?

I've been trying to do a bit of research about this but I just couldn't find any confirmation on this quote. It is a great quote for people aspiring for public office, and a cheeky way to get the attention of voters.  I've seen on the web certain personalities and politicians using this quote in their speeches.  It does make for a good conversation piece and with the media landscape nowadays, media handlers for politicians can use this to make for a good sound bite.

I do have friends who are into politics and politicians who are my friends. I was active in school politics, that at one time, I even entertained the notion of running for public office.  We didn't have any of these shady deals that seems to be the norm for politicians now.  Well, perhaps because we were just promdi, school-based or was it rather that the 60's and 70's were different then?  I've done heaps of consultancy work for the Office of the President from FVR, Erap to PGMA, and was privy to some high-level politics.  I've done projects with cabinet secretaries, senators, congressmen, governors, mayors, colonels, generals, and even barangay captains.  And I invoke what showbiz columnist Maurice Arcache says, my lips are sealed.

Boracay Garden Restaurant, Auckland

Photo c/o RMO

Last year, I had the honor and privilege of interviewing Boracay Garden Restaurant owners, Stuart and Marj Bennett, in my radio show.  It was around May, right after Mother's Day, they've just finished a very busy week of catering to their growing clientele of Filipinos and Kiwis.

In the course of the interview, I found out that they're not newbies in running a restaurant business since they've had the opportunity to own a successful one in the Middle East.  However, they made the decision to come back to Stuart's birthplace, New Zealand, to raise their family.

At that time, I haven't been to their resto, so it was a bit of a challenge to conduct the interview without me seeing their place or tasting their food.  Although I haven't physically been there, I've heard good and bad reviews from other people, which piqued my curiosity to interview them on the radio.  It was gratifying to see this couple, who in their own humble way are paving the way for more people to appreciate and enjoy Filipino cuisine.

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate and savor some milestones in my family and we decided to make it a Filipino feast.  And of to the resto we went. It was a Saturday afternoon, right before dinner, and there was another private function on-going.  As usual, Stuart and Marge were there. These two are very hands-on owner/managers.  By dinner time, the place was packed mostly Pinoys (90%) with the rest coming from different ethnicity, obviously guests of their Filipino connection.

We had crispy pata, beef kare-kare, spring rolls, tinalo na manok, daing na bangus, mixed sizzling seafood, chopsuey, palabok, banana turon, sago't gulaman.  They also offer family/group package meals, dine-in or takeaway.  If you haven't been here yet, perhaps it's about time that you should try this resto within the Auckland CBD.  After a sumptuous meal, you can walk off those calories with a walkabout around the viaduct, which is just a few steps away.  It would be good too if you can spread the good news about this resto.

Dining with heroes 1

I've decided to ask people this question: name three people, living or dead, you'll like to have dinner with, and why?  It would be interesting to find out who are the people that have influenced them to become who they are now.

Jesus Domingo

Jesus Domingo (Philippines Ambassador to New Zealand)
A: Dr. Jose Rizal - to ask him for guidance in my work, Sir Peter Jackson and Mr. JJ Abrams - to discuss making movies in the Philippines, whether they be spin-offs of the Lord of the Rings, Star Wars or Star Trek franchises, and in furtherance of my "Diwata Diplomacy" project.

Lito Banal

Lito Banal (NZ-Philippines Business Council)
A: My great grandfathers (paternal/maternal) - I would like to know how life was during their time. Dr. Jose Rizal - I would like to know him more because he is the most famous Filipino for me.  U.S. President Barack Obama - why won't you dream of meeting the most powerful person in the world.

Maricel Weischde

Maricel Weischde (NZ Immigration Help Service Ltd.)
A: I want to have dinner with Bo Sanchez and just spend significant time listening and praying with me.  I listen to him almost every night and it would be an honour to have an exclusive dinner with him. I also want to have dinner with my Grandma, who passed away when I was 9 years old.  I feel the urge to have an adult conversation with her and tell her how in my young age (before she died), she influenced me to do exceptionally good in whatever I desire.  Lastly and more importantly, I want to have the opportunity to have a meal with God casually and thank him for all that He has given me. I want to be able to embrace Him afterwards and tell Him how grateful I am for everything.

Cez Tan, Island Joe's BBQ

Cez Tan (Island Joe's BBQ)
A: Simon Gault - I'd like to get his input as to how to get people to try our food.  Kim Dotcom - he would be an interesting person to talk to and also I might be able to convince him to invest in the restaurant business, ha ha ha.  Richie McCaw - I would love for him to try our food and endorse it.

Mark Dizon

Mark Dizon (MDG Property Management Ltd.)
A: Jesus Christ, Pope Francis, and my late father. I would like to ask Jesus a lot of questions about religion.  I would like to discuss with Pope Francis the problems of the world today.  With my late father, I would just want to spend time with him.

Kapeng Barako

Photo c/o lovetravelandfood.com

Mahilig ka ba sa kape gaya ng mga Kiwi? Ilang tasa ng kape ang iyong ininom kada araw?  I had the impression that Kiwis would favor tea over coffee.  But when I came here in 2008, I was amazed at how much coffee they consumed.  Cafes and coffeehouses were everywhere (inside malls or stand alone) with motorized coffee pit stops along the major roads.

However by 2017, in an article on Stuff, Kiwis drink less coffee than you might think.  We only consume 3.7 kg. per person a year and Australians even less at 3.0. Surprisingly the USA was only slightly ahead of us at 4.2 and the UK at 2.8 per capita per year.  The top five coffee drinkers are Finland 12.0, Norway 9.9, Iceland 9.0, Denmark 8.7, and the Netherlands 8.4.  There must be a connection between drinking coffee and the cold weather of these European countries.

These are the rest of the countries in the world's 20 biggest coffee drinkers: Sweden 8.2, Switzerland 7.9, Belgium 6.8, Luxembourg 6.5, Canada 6.2, Bosnia-Herzegovina 6.1, Austria 5.9, Italy 5.8, Slovenia 5.8, Brazil 5.5, Germany, 5.5, Greece 5.4, France 5.1, Croatia 4.9, and Cyprus 4.8.  Hopefully, the people in-charge of the coffee industry in the Philippines are aware of these numbers, so they can focus their marketing initiatives on these countries.

The coffee beans here in Aotearoa New Zealand are sourced from Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, Papua New Guinea, Guatemala, Kenya, Honduras, and Mexico. I've seen Vietnamese coffee beans being advertised and Timor-Leste has joined the club as the newest source of coffee beans. I'm wishing to see Philippine coffee beans here sometime in the future. I'm sure it's going to happen.

Kapeng Barako is a variety of coffee grown in the Philippines, primarily in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite.  It belong to the species Coffea liberica. Barako is the Filipino term for a male stud animal.  The term has also become associated with the image of a tough man.

During the late 19th century, the Philippines was the world's 4th biggest exporter of coffee beans.  Unfortunately the coffee rust that hit Brazil, Africa and Java also hit the country.  Today, the Philippines ranks 110th in the world in terms of coffee production.  The top producers are 1-Brazil, 2-Vietnam, and 3-Colombia and Mexico.  The popularity of coffee as a drink has only increased year on and year on.  A famous quote from Thomas Jefferson sums up its popularity---"coffee, the favourite drink of the civilised world."

Q&A: Ambassador Gary Domingo

Photo c/o AmbaGary's Facebook account

His Excellency Jesus S. Domingo, Philippine Ambassador to Aotearoa New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa and Tonga is a man of action.  He may have the smallest number of Filipinos in his diplomatic posting, but it is quite challenging because aside from New Zealand, he has to travel to the other South Pacific islands.  A man on the go, I've never really sat down with him for a real chat.  The closest I got to be in his presence was in last year's wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal reserve in Auckland.  He seems to be a man of deep insights.  I'd like to someday have a real conversation on his Universal Diplomacy concept.

Kiwinoys fondly call him AmbaGary Domingo (it is also his Facebook account name).  But I'd rather call him DJAmbaGaryD (because he's the other Gary with a D) plus he used to be a DJ back in college.  When I interviewed him on radio last year, he accepted my open invitation to be a guest DJ in my radio show. That would be a blast for sure.  I'd also like to know more about his fascination with sci-fi, the mysterious Diwata Diplomacy, and his being a Knight.

Thank you for accommodating this Q&A into your busy schedule.  I emailed him the questions late at night and in a matter of minutes he quickly came back with his answers.  His answers also appeared in some of my older blog posts. Aksyon man talaga!

Q: What motivates you?
A: Being of service to God, Mankind and the Filipino People - as a Diplomat and Knight.

Q: What is your proudest achievement up to this moment?
A: Two actually, if you don't mind - becoming a Dad, and appointment as Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand.

Q: Who is your inspiration behind your role as ambassador?
A: My Dad, Ambassador Benjamin B. Domingo, and the things I've learned from him, the Overseas Filipinos I've met in the course of my careers, and other inspiring persons - which form the core of "Universal Diplomacy" - my approach to my work as Ambassador.

Q: What has been a challenge in being an ambassador and how did you manage it?
A: How to work with the Filipino Community - by coming to realize that our destiny is not just to make a stronger country for ourselves, but to create a better world for all through our Overseas Filipino Diaspora.   Our work in building a better New Zealand goes hand-in-hand with helping the Philippines.  Thus, I encourage "Kiwinoys" not to just focus their energies inward to the Filipino Community, but to look outside our comfort zone and work with Kiwis and NZ/Global Society as a whole.  For example, I am encouraging Kiwinoys to take up local sports such as Touch Rugby (and not to be too fixated with Basketball), and to be active in all-Kiwi groups such as the Multi-Cultural / Ethnic Councils of NZ Cities (and not to be too "hung up" on divisive FilCom internal politics).

Q: How did you face failure?
A: By realizing that it is natural, to learn from it, and to move on.

Q: Name 3 people, living or dead, you'll like to have dinner with, why?
A: Dr. Jose Rizal - to ask him for guidance in my work, Sir Peter Jackson and Mr. JJ Abrams - to discuss making movies in the Philippines, whether they be spin-offs of the Lord of the Rings, Star Wars or Star Trek franchises, and in furtherance of my "Diwata Diplomacy" project.

Q: Are you cat or dog person, why?
A: I'm both, but more of a Cat Person.  I am convinced that Cats are an intelligent, sentient species monitoring us humans.

Q: Where in the world is the place you can call as your sanctuary, why?
A: As a diplomat I am always on the move, so I have to create "sanctuary" wherever I may be - it is more of a state of mind and spirit.

Q: Something not many people know about you?
A: I really didn't want to become a Diplomat - I only realized it was my true calling quite recently. I really wanted to either go into the Military, or be a Producer / Director of Science Fiction Movies.

Q: Give your teenaged self some advice?
A: That it is really true that God has a plan for everyone, and to have faith in yours - no matter how difficult things may be.

Q: If you could travel back in time, where and when would it be, why?
A: As with No 6. - meet up with Dr. Jose Rizal when he was still in Europe, and discuss the future and destiny of the Filipino People - and perhaps even to warn him of what fate awaits him if he returns to the Philippines.  Chances are, he would not change anything ...

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: To continue being an Ambassador for the Philippines and Humanity until God calls me to the next life.

Kiwinoy, PiNoyZ, Fil-Kiwi, Filos

Photo c/o RMO

Ano ba talaga ang dapat itawag sa atin? Kiwinoy, PiNoyZ, Fil-Kiwis, Filos?  I'm OK with Kiwinoy, PiNoyZ or even Fil-Kiwis. Medyo ayaw ko yata ng Filos, wala lang, ayaw ko lang.  Doesn't sound right for me.

These are the stats I gathered from Statistics New Zealand, in the course of my research for my studies.  The most common region where one could find heaps of Filipinos is the Auckland Region (50.8% or 20,502 people), followed by the Wellington Region (12.7% or 5,118 people), and the Canterbury Region (12.1% or 4,887 people). English was the most widely spoken language---spoken by 95.9% or 38,127 people.  In terms of formal qualification (94.8% or 27,516 people) had one, up from 93.1% in 2006.  The most common occupations were: professionals (24.9% or 5,418 people), laborers (14.4%), and community and personal service workers (13.8%).  Men were most likely to be employed as technicians and trades workers (22.3%), while women were most likely to be employed as professionals (28.7%).

We can find our kabarangays in almost all sectors: business, agriculture, social services, nursing, dairying, beekeeping, teaching, social work, engineering, IT, telecommunications, transportation, law enforcement (police), and a couple who are now in elected positions in governance. We even have two who are now running for parliament: Romy Udanga (Labour Party) and Paulo Garcia (National Party).  Among all the sectors, I am quite fascinated by our EntrePiNoyZ, who are engaged in all types of businesses: sari-sari store, restaurant, spa and beauty parlor, medical centres, real estate, financing, money remittance, health supplements, t-shirt printing, publishing, broadcasting, event management, and many others.

Bilib na bilib ako sa mga kabarangay natin, dahil kahit malayo sa Inang Bayan, sa bayang sinilangan, ay umiiral pa rin sa puso't damdamin ang pagka-Filipino: maka-Diyos, maka-bayan, maka-tao at maka-kalikasan. Mabuhay po ang sambayanang Pilipino.

Why should I iron?

Photo c/o ironmanwest.co.nz

"Ano ang mas OK sa 'yo, maglaba o magplantsa?"   12 out of the 20 I've spoken to recently opted for magplantsa.  Last summer, I asked the same thing from 20 people, and 18 said maglaba.  Perhaps it is the season that dictates whether which chore would a person do. Summer (it's hot) you'd like to cool down as much as possible, while winter (it's cold), you'll settle for anything that will keep you warm.

Growing up in Zamboanga and being the eldest, I was in-charge of ironing all our school uniforms (four of us boys).  I can still recall, ironing them mid-afternoon Sundays, while listening to the radio, playing either music or radio dramas.  We were still using coconut charcoal to heat up the flat iron also known as the clothes iron.  I think I was already in senior high when we got our very first electric iron.

Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, one household chore that is rarely done or is not a priority at home is the ironing of clothes.  Personally, I only iron out the clothes I'm going to wear during special occasions.  For non-special occasions, I only iron the front part, the part that will be visible. The reason being that I wear either a jacket or a suit and when I zip or button them, it's only the collar that's visible.  There are times when I'll just iron the collar because that's the only part people can see and notice.

Someone has found a way to turn this household chore into a business. In the UK, there is a start-up called ihateironing.com that has added ironing clothes on top of it's dry-cleaning and laundry business.  It does home pickups and deliveries.  There are a couple of firms in Auckland who are already engaged in this type of business.  One of them is Ironman West, an ironing, laundry and dry-cleaning service.  I'm sure there are more of them.

It seems to be like an easy business to set-up and operate, low capitalization and the equipment are so basic (an electric iron, an ironing board, some accessories).  I'm quite tempted to explore and do this.  To make this even more personalized, I would do the ironing right inside my client's home.  This will minimize travel time and delivery costs.  I won't even need a van with clothes racks for transport.  A bonus perhaps, would be some snacks from the client, plus the added chika (gossip) if the client is Pinoy.  Go and check the links.  This might just be the business that you're looking for.

Q&A: Jacinda Ardern, MP (Labour)

Photo c/o parliament.nz

Three years ago I did a Q&A with Jacinda Ardern who was then the Labour List MP based in Auckland Central. March of this year, she was elected as MP for Mt. Albert, and as of yesterday she became the leader of the Labour Party replacing Andrew Little.  She just turned 37 last week.

This young, dynamic, positive and may I say very pretty woman, is still single, although she is romantically linked to her boyfriend who is a TV presenter.  In some of her photos, she has a very strong resemblance to Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette. They do have that same mysterious smile matched with tantalizing eyes. My observation is solely based on personally meeting Alanis twice and Jacinda once.

I met Jacinda at a media forum in Unitec.  The focus was on migrant media and she was the only politician who took time to attend.  As I listened and looked at her, I saw what the future of Aotearoa New Zealand should be.  She started as a Labour List MP in 2008 and from then on had many parliamentary roles in her portfolio: Law & Order, Arts, Culture & Heritage, Children, Corrections, Police, among many others.

I see her as one of the shining lights in Parliament.  She just might be the next Prime Minister of our country.  New Zealand's future is in good and safe hands with Jacinda in the House.

Q: What is your proudest achievement up to this moment?
A: I am proud to be a member of the Labour Party, but being elected to Parliament to represent a movement with such a long, proud history was a real honour.  I do still wish my Nana was alive to share the moment. She was a staunch Labour lady!

Q: Name 3 people, living or dead, you'll like to have dinner with.
A: Earnest Shackleton, the Antarctic explorer and one of my heroes!  His story of survival during the Endurance expedition is amazing and I would love to hear it in person.  Nelson Mandela.  I was lucky enough to meet him a few years ago. What an amazing man.  And finally, Wislawa Szymborska.  She is a Polish poet. She lived through World War Two, and went on to win the Nobel prize for Literature.  Her writing is amazing, but I would love to hear her stories in person!

Q: Are you a cat or dog person, and why?
A: I have always loved dogs but was never allowed one, so I grew up with cats and love them too.  Can I be both?  Right now, I would be a better cat owner than a dog owner.  I am never home!

Q: Where in NZ is the place you can call as your sanctuary?
A: Morrinsville.  It's where I grew up and my mum and dad still have a home there.  It's a lovely quiet place to go and recharge, and see my mum!

Q: Something not many people know about you.
A: The first thing I ever learned to drive was a bright red Massey Ferguson tractor.  Which I crashed.

Q: If you could travel back in time, where and when would it be?
A: Can I have two?  The 60's and 70's to witness Beatlemania, and the era of the first Labour government.  savage is every Labour MP's hero, and I love the legacy that government left behind.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: To be a good MP, daughter and friend.

There you have have it ladies and gentlemen, our very own Jacinda Ardern MP "Standing up not only for Auckland Central but more for New Zealand."

Daniel Razon, Part 1

Photo c / o untvweb.com

A couple of weeks ago Mr. Public Service, Kuya Daniel Razon, together with his wife Arlene, came to Aotearoa New Zealand for a short visit. It would have been awesome if we had a catch-up but I was literally moving house, from Hamilton to Auckland, on the days he was here. We just contented ourselves by communicating thru Viber, as we normally do.  I later found out that he had full-on days that weekend, and the couple really enjoyed their visit.  There is always a next time.

Before he became known as Mr. Public Service, Kuya Daniel and now Dr. Daniel Razon, I first knew him as Dan Hotman, the morning drive DJ of 91.5 KY-FM Manila.  I was then starting as a broadcaster for the sister AM station DZXQ 1350.  From early on, he already showed his love for radio because after his morning slot, he would then switch to the AM station for a couple of hours, playing songs and dishing out love notes, thoughts and inspiration.  And that's where we eventually bonded and found some common ground.

DZXQ back then would sign-off at 12 noon and then go back on air at 6 pm.  I was so determined to become a broadcaster, that I boldly proposed to Mr. Quirino de Guzman Sr., the co-founder and owner of Mabuhay Broadcasting System Inc. for us (Joseph Olfindo, Tato Malay and myself) to broadcast from 12-6. And that was the birth of Kulay Pinoy, 12-6pm, from Monday to Saturday.  My boardwork was from 4-6pm.  I was on-board, on the 15th floor of Strata 100 Building, Ortigas Center, when Mount Pinatubo erupted on June 15, 1991. But that is another story.  One other broadcaster who was doing an awesome public service was medical doctor Arle Imperio.

Through the years, Dan and I would engage in media projects from time to time.  I remember the early years when we would go to his small apartment and studio in the Roosevelt area in Quezon City, to either dub, voice-over or edit these projects. We would pile into his tried and tested Wrangler Jeep and off we'd go.  I once got the privilege of being invited into the main sanctuary of the Ang Dating Daan Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga.  That's when I first met his uncle, Bro. Eli Soriano.

Then we went into television with Dan, Joseph O and Bro. Eli as hosts and myself as the director of SRO on Target, weekdays afternoon, on IBC-13.  We even dabbled in making an indie film that never saw the light of day though, and when Dan was already a newscaster of PTV-4's Balitang Tanghali, we often met in the cafes along Quezon Avenue, to plan and plot what would have been a strong voice of truth and reason. We named it Voices On Air (VOA).

It was an election year in 1992, when Dan played the part of Ramon Mitra in Tato Malay's production of the Presidentiable Singing Contest, a funny social commentary disguised as a play, staged at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City with Lou Veloso (FVR), Ruth Abao (Miriam), Louella de Cordova (Imelda), Tiya Pusit (Cory), and Ahwel Paz, who was a student leader and graduating in college (as the Aeta).  Ahwel is now well-known as DZMM's Papa Ahwel.  Dan wasn't just an actor, he was and is a singer too.  He has recently recorded his latest collection of timeless music.

From PTV-4, he then went to ABS-CBN 2 and GMA-7, where he also made a good impact.  No matter where he found himself, he was always a leader, an innovator, a trailblazer.  A year before I left the Philippines for Aotearoa New Zealand, I was one of the many guests who joined Kuya Daniel on stage at the World Trade Center, in celebration of UNTV's 3rd anniversary.

It was an awesome night of hope and inspiration, with big plans and bold dreams unfolded.  And while I was on-stage, as I saw the multitude of thousands applauding and appreciating what Kuya Daniel was sharing, that I recalled what he once told me: alam mo pare, ako'y isang brodkaster, pero para sa akin pag ang nasa harap ko ay isang biktima ng sakuna, trahedya o ano pa man, ang umiiral sa akin ay ganito, tulong muna bago balita.