The Embassy of the Philippines in Wellington, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Artikulo Uno Productions concluded the 2016 Philippine Embassy and Cinema Sentro Festival with the screening of Bonifacio, Ang Unang Pangulo (Bonifacio, The First President) and K’na, The Dreamweaver at the Soundings Theatre of Te Papa Museum in Wellington, New Zealand on 28 August 2016. The 2016 Film Festival was held as part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Philippines-New Zealand Diplomatic Relations and the Commemoration of National Heroes Day.

Prior to the film screenings, the Embassy in conjunction with Ms. Miriam Tayawa Villalba, Ms. Rhose Bayot, and Ms. Mathilde Figuracion, Committee Members of the Pistang Pilipino 2016 sa Wellington (Philippine Festival in Wellington 2016), held a Youth Workshop on Philippine History for the Filipino community in the Greater Wellington Area at Te Marae in Te Papa Museum. The Youth Workshop provided historical background and substantive information in preparation for the “Live Diorama” of select Philippine historical events that shaped the country’s history and culture which will be featured by members of the Filipino youth at the Philippine Festival in Wellington 2016 in October.

At the Youth Workshop, Ambassador Jesus S. Domingo delivered remarks on Philippine History from 1521-1898 and Mr. John Bayot of Pinoy Stop NZ talked about the American and Japanese Period. Mr. Geo Robrigado rounded out the presentations with his talk on the Martial Law Era up to the EDSA Revolution. Ambassador Domingo, who delivered his lecture in a costume reminiscent of a Filipino ranking soldier of the colonial era, provided insights on Philippine national heroes and their great social and cultural relevance to Filipinos of today.

The New Zealand Filifest Cultural Group rendered performances of well-known Filipino cultural dances at the Workshop as well as at the Te Papa Museum’s public area for the enjoyment of the museum visitors. The Filipino dances were well-received and the Tinikling, always a crowd favorite, provided a fun way for the museumgoers and Workshop members to participate in the dances and to learn about Philippine culture.

The 2016 Philippine Embassy and Cinema Sentro Festival and the Youth Workshop on Philippine History culminated in the showing of the last two films of Film Festival, namely, Bonifacio, Ang Unang Pangulo (Bonifacio, The First President) and K’na, The Dreamweaver.