FILINARTIZTS

 filinartizts

about the group

A MORE HOLISTIC MANNER. The Filipino Artists in New Zealand, Inc. (or, FILINARTIZTS) was organized by a group of young and aspiring artists guided by the Office of the Cultural Officer of the Philippine Embassy in Wellington.

Following a successful theatre-based pantomime performance in 2008 that showcased a rendition of the Philippines’ historical struggle for national independence, the performers were inspired to form a much more formal group that would continue to promote and develop Philippine arts and culture in a more holistic manner.

ALL COMPONENT PARTS. While there may be other Filipino organisations capable of organizing and performing cer-tain aspects of Philippine arts and culture in New Zealand, the founding members of FIL-INARTISTZ realized that there is no one organized group focusing on holistically pro-moting and developing the ‘whole basket’. It decided to address this gap. Philippine art and culture is fabulously rich and varied – one which reflects that country’s long history and colourful indigenous traditions. No dimension of Philippine arts or culture can be understood in isolation. The reality is, cultures are integrated wholes and the best way to approach it – in all its myriad expressions, is to emphasize the interdependence of all its component parts. In this scenario, on January 27th 2009 FILINARTIZTS was born.

VIBRANT AND ALIVE. By emphasising the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts, FILIN-ARTIZTS now actively promotes Philippine arts and culture in six different areas or forms – Visual Arts; Dance; Music; Martial Arts; Literary Arts; and, the Performing Arts. Undertaking all this reflects FILINARTIZTS’ basic objectives, which are:

• Promoting awareness and appreciation of Philippine arts and culture both within the Filipino community and wider segments of society in New Zealand;
• Build on and encourage Filipinos of all age groups – particularly the young and those born in New Zealand, to express their cultural heritage and traditions as one that is both vibrant and alive by:
  • tapping both budding and established talents in music, dance, visual arts, performing arts, martial arts and literary arts; and,
  • being the conduit for Filipino talents showcasing all these forms.
• To enhance the craft and upgrade individual talents and skills through continuous training and participation in activities, particularly in performances; and,
• To encourage creativity and motivate social cohesion within the Filipino community in New Zealand.

COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP. FILINARTIZTS is committed towards utilizing Philippine culture and arts to aid the sett-ling process of new Filipino migrants coming into the country. It is our view that their in-volvement and participation paves the way for strengthening self-worth and identity for their better integration as productive members of the wider Filipino community and New Zealand society.

Collaboration and partnership is what drives all our aspirations. It propels the way on how we will implement all projects and conduct our activities. In this regard, FILINARTIZTS aims to work alongside other growing and established Philippine organisations and Filipino individuals, particularly in areas where we have common goals, objectives and interests.

Working together, we will strive to harness and develop the collective strength and latent individual talents in the community when developing and promoting Philippine arts and culture because, in the final analysis, it enriches the much larger culture in Aotearoa.

---

what filinartizts do

CULTURAL DIVERSITY PROFILE. From our humble beginnings in 2008, we have showcased Philippine arts and culture through performances in both NZ-Filipino Community and Wellington City events. In hav-ing done so, FILINARTISTZ has contributed to the cultural diversity profile of the City of Wellington.

The Ati-atihan Festival dance group we manage, for example, is widely-profiled. Last year, it was expanded and showcased to the whole of New Zealand and to the world during the Rugby World Cup 2011 Festival of Carnivale in Wellington during various performances and venues in September-October.We have also actively participated in consultative meetings of the Wellington City Council and have participated actively in other central government dialogues and consultative processes.

Some of our previous projects and performances include:

• Philippine Independence Day Celebration (2008): Theatre performance about the history of Philippine independence;
• ASEAN Night Market (2008): Ati-atihan street dancing, the elegant Singkil dance, and other cultural fashion shows;
• Race Relations Day in Johnsonville (2009): Ati-atihan street dancing;
• The Filipino Fiesta sa Wellington Labour Weekend Filipino Reunion (2009): Ati-atihan and Filipino indigenous games (Palarong Pinoy);
• Youth Art and Mask-making Workshop (2009);
• ASEAN Cultural Night (2010): Finale-Ati-atihan cum Angklung (bamboo) band performance;
• Ethnic Forum Poster Design Competition (2010): FIINARTISTZ won the poster-making competition and were also involved in consultations on the Draft Annual Plan of Wellington City Council;
• Philippine Independence Day Celebration ‘Palarong Pinoy’ (2010): Filipino indigenous games and events management; and,
• Filipino Labour Weekend Reunion in Auckland (2010): Ati-atihan street dancing and stage performance.

Filinartizts projects for Year 2010/11 include the following:

• A live radio programme with Wellington Access Radio (starting April 2011);
• Ati-atihan street dancing and drums to welcome VIPs during the formal opening of the Southeast Asian Night Market (16 April 2011);
• A theatre performance (mime) covering the History of Philippine Independence in June 2011;
• The ‘Death Rituals’ Project in collaboration with the Office of Ethnic Affairs and Wellington Museum in November 2011; and,
• The expanded Ati-atihan Street Dancing performances at the Festival of Carnivale during the Rugby World Cup 2011 (September-October) international sporting event.

In subsequent years, FILINARTISTZ plans to grow its membership through more active collaboration and partnerships with other Filipino organisations and individual artists and talents in New Zealand as well as reach out to other migrant Filipino communities who have established themselves in other countries as well.

Lastly, we will continue to develop our capacity and capabilities also in communications and promotions utilizing the Internet and latest web tools and technologies with an eye towards forming and nurturing active networks that reflect FILINARTISTZ’ holistic approach towards sharing the fabulously rich and varied arts and culture of the Philippines to everyone.

---

recent projects

MUNTING TINIG. Munting Tinig is the latest project of Filipino Artists in New Zealand, Inc. (FILINARTIZTS).  The group is aimed at cultural and language maintenance and targets Filipino children living in New Zealand. The members of this group are Filipino children ages 5-12, singing songs and playing Ukelele – mostly showcasing Filipino folk and pop music.

Article: Written and Edited by Matilde Tayawa-Figuracion, Karl Quirino and Pinoy Stop

Photos: Pinoy Stop and Alan Raga

Videos: PinoyStop youtube channel

For more information, visit the group’s Official Website.