WFA Christmas Party

To all WFA members....thank you for your continued support &
patronage, let's celebrate Xmas with a bang!!

WHAT: Waikato Filipino Association Christmas Party

WHERE: Melville Primary School Hall (Ohaupo Road)

WHEN: December 15 - 6pm (after the Men's basketball championship at
Melville High School 2pm to 4pm)

Preparations are in place for a fun-filled night. Many thanks to the
Cultural team who are busy planning the program, the games, the stage
decorations...the Christmas theme, wow! how can you put value in all
that?!....we'll party till we close the venue!

Of course add to all that will be the Men's Basketball tournament &
other sports awards. Many thanks to our sponsor, PHILNZ Cargo Movers
of Auckland (Ariel & Fe Abrogena) for the trophies and medals.
Unfortunately, they cannot join us on the day as they're going home
to the Philippines.

Knowing the bball boys (and everyone else) will be hungry after the
games & to continue the teamwork off-the-court, I will request each
of the Men's basketball teams to provide their team's special dish
(ie. adobo, pancit, menudo, sisig, igado, laing, etc.) to share in
the party. Salo-salo tayo sa paghanda at pag-tsibug, para mas masaya!

With that effort from the boys, the WFA will match it
with "something" nakatuhog and if alive, would say "oink-oink" ;)
plus other snack foods (perhaps a Christmas ham, too?!)

Everyone else are welcome to bring-a-plate, all for the spirit of
Christmas! Ganyan naman ang Pinoy, sama-sama sa hirap at ligaya, di
ba?

Of course, there will be raffle and games' prizes galore. Compliments
of Pino-Plus (Rhea and Hayden) and Tres Marias Trading, our ever
reliable sponsors, too. Buy your raffle tickets at the door ($2 per
ticket & $5 buys 3 tickets).

==============

ENTRY FEE*:
- $2 (gold coin donation lang po) - WFA members 13yrs-over
FREE Entry for all WFA members 12yrs-under

Non-members are Welcome to come, too!
- $5 Non-WFA members 13 yrs-over
$2 Non-WFA members 12 yrs-under

Sorry no family concessions, gold coin donation nga lang po eh :(
Pambayad lang po sa venue at mga props. Wala na po sanang hihirit o
aapila sa pinto, hehe!

===============

To avail the WFA discounts and be part of our ever-growing family,
now is the time to join the WFA!

$10/ individual or $15/ family (Membership is June-to-June-next-year)

WFA membership forms will be available at the door....
.... we have many future events installed for all members...WFA Mixed
Volleyball and WFA Badminton social leagues after the New Year, Men's
bball 2nd season, Labour 2008 Filipino Reunion hosting...just to name
a few.


Maraming salamat po and see you all there.


Jun Valencia
WFA Chairperson

Basketball Tournament - Day 3

Day 3 of the Hamilton Filipino Basketball League as narrated by
Rene & Aljun Gorteza, WFA Sports Coordinators

A sudden twist of fate marked the middle of our basketball league as
winless teams Blue and White teams defeated their respective rivals in
last Friday's mad scramble....

A surprise victory over the Green team raised the hopes of the Blue
Team to make it further to the league. The first half of the ballgame
showcased a classic clash of styles - the Blue team pouring in
three's whilst the 007-led Green team hitting back from the close
range. However, the Blue jerseys ran away with a commanding 27-12 win.

In the second game, the White team came under the heat of the (T)All
Blacks. But the Black team seemed to sorely missed the services of
Willard S. who leads the league in defensive rebounding. Willard's
absence allowed Fajim (white's lead scorer) for a free reign and his
dominance ensured the White team's steady ball possession. In the end,
the under 18's performed like seasoned champions,winning their very
first ballgame with the score 41-35.

In the final match, the Red hot Team cruisingly eased their way to
their second win against the Yellow superstars in a high scoring
ballgame 46-39...This put them in a three way tie with Black and Green
Teams in the first place.

Many thanks to all the players who, apart from playing hard,are doing
their best to be table officials and helping in their own little way
to make this league a fun filled project. We do appreciate that.

Basketball Tournament - Day 2

Day 2 of the Hamilton Filipino Basketball League as narrated by
Rene & Aljun Gorteza, WFA Sports Coordinators

Another night of fun and excitement transpired as we held our second
friday in the first ever WFA intercolour basketball league.

The (t)all black team crushed the hopes of the blue team to make it to
the winning side as they finished the first game with an astonishing
30-20 victory. aray!

A heart pounding match came next as the green team pushed their way to
their second win against the yellow team.It was a close game from the
beginning but the excellent passing and awesome goals of the mighty
greens paved way in the end with just one basket, 29-27.

Meanwhile, the 3rd game marked the first win of the red jerseys (minus
their reliable centre oca a.) when they pounded the pino plus
sponsored white team. The score.... dont ask!

Well, we will see u again for another blockbuster games next time...
kitakits uli sa friday, same place same time...

Let the games begin!

Last Friday, (9 Nov) marked the start of the WFA 1st Men's Inter-Colour basketball games. Everyone was so excited, it was the first I saw "the Pilipino time" syndrome did not take into effect, as players and families were already at Melville High School as early as 6pm, prior to the 7pm start, wow!

Thank you to the beautiful team muses/ team escorts, they were all winners for me! They added glamour and color to the games. Magaganda talaga ang Pinay!

The crowd filled up the venue and everyone cheered for their respective teams!

The first game (Yellow vs Blue) was a very tight contest. Both teams were led by what we might call the "return-of-the- comeback" players (supposedly retired players :) - Rommel Borda (for the Yellow team)
and Russell Bides (for the Blue team). In the end, a mere point separated both teams, with the Yellow team coming on top through the heroic shooting and foul shots by Theody Rodriguez. Well done!

The second game (Black vs Red) started with the same intense swift exchanging of baskets by both teams. In the end, however, the Red team's steam ran out and were overpowered by the solid Black team as
they finished the game with 22 points advantage over the Red team. Ryan and Willard led the Black team with a combined total of 33 points, just four points short of the entire Red team's output :(

Lastly, the young (Under-18) White team under coach Marc Duran, gave a sterling performance against the highly-favoured Green team of James "007" Malazo, as they succumbed to only a two-point deficit at
the end of the ballgame.

It sure is going to be an exciting tournament. See you all (again) on Friday night (same place, same time).

Overall, through everyone's co-operation and commitment, we got the ball-rolling. ...and the WFA Pinoy basketball league is here to stay.



Maraming salamat po!!

Jun Valencia

"Hamilton, We're back home...."

The WFA officers, committee members and the seventy-plus WFA sports players, families, friends and supporters have had a great time in Rotorua during the annual national NZ-Pinoy reunion.

Our WFA players, considering majority of whom are first-timers to the national (Pinoy community) sports competition fared well and had a great experience.

Our WFA dynamic Tennis duo, David Nadela and Leon Guida were the best finishers at 1st Runner-ups of the Doubles’ Lawn Tennis; with David obtaining the 1st Runner-up also in the Singles Event. Well done, Dave and Leon!

Not to be outgunned, were our Cinderella teams in both Mixed Volleyball and Women’s Volleyball teams, who both finished 2nd Runner-ups in their categories.

Our Under-17 Boys basketball team also got 2nd Runner-up accomplishment. It was too late for this team to know that their other opponent (who finished 1st Runner-up) had 17-year old players when they competed against them. Perhaps the results would have been different in that game?

Commendation goes to all six of our WFA Badminton competitors, our reliable four-person Ten-Pin Bowling team, and our two Men’s basketball teams, they all gave it their best shot, had fun and a great experience! We’re proud of you!

Lastly, I would also like to appreciate and congratulate our lone (WFA) Binibining Pilipinas-NZ pageant entry, Precious Lee, who got into the six semi-finals list. Special thanks to Jenny, Shirley, Kim, Charrie etc who supported Precious throughout the event.

To all the players, families, friends and supporters, many thanks and I do hope you all had a safe trip back home!

Special mention to all WFA officers, WFA Co-ordinators (specially the hardworking tandem, Rene G & Aljun) and all coaches who unselfishly dedicated their time and effort to make this a successful sojourn for the WFA team!