source: mb.com.ph
MANILA, Philippines — A New Zealand citizen of Filipino descent was named as one of the awardees of the Queen’s Service Medal for service to the Filipino Community in New Zealand’s National Year-end Awards for 2011.
The Philippine Embassy in Wellington, Gladys Grace Alumisin Stephens has been rendering voluntary service to refugees and migrant settlers in the Shama Hamilton Ethnic Women’s Center Trust (Shama) and the Waikato Multi-cultural Council since the early 1990s.
Since 2002, she has also taken a lead volunteer role as Shama’s events and program manager, serving to this day as a trustee on the Shama board.
She was instrumental in establishing the Waikato Filipino Association (WFA) that aims to preserve and promote Philippine culture in the Waikato region. The Filipino population there has grown from 80 in the 1990s to 800 today. Hamilton is New Zealand’s fourth (4th) largest city in terms of population.
Stephens, who was originally from Cubao, Quezon City before she moved to New Zealand in 1988, has also been serving as Justice of the Peace in Hamilton, which, according to her, suits her strong desire to serve her community.
On top of these, she “directed and developed School Holiday programs (in Hamilton) for children” since 2005.
For the last ten years, Stephens helped run an eight-week Filipino language course for children aged between 8 and 14 held every Sunday.
She was cited for her many years of voluntary service, dedication, and whole-hearted support that enhanced the well-being of many people and organizations in Hamilton.
Stephens also received in 2008 a Certificate of Appreciation from the New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils “in recognition of her valuable contribution to ethnic communities of the Waikato.”
The following year, the Hamilton City Council selected her as one the 13 recipients of the Hamilton Civic Awards for 2009.
Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez stated that Stephens is a shining example of the Filipino women’s sterling qualities of a caring, compassionate, selfless, and sacrificial prime mover in community development.
“Together with the other Filipino awardees who have contributed to making a difference in people’s lives, Mrs. Stephens continues to do our country and people proud,” stated Ambassador Benavidez.
“They are the much-valued links in enhancing Philippine-New Zealand relations and people-to-people ties.”
The Queen’s Service Medal was instituted in New Zealand in 1975 to recognize voluntary service to the community.
Persons who are not New Zealand citizens or citizens of Commonwealth nations of which The Queen is head of state, may be awarded an “Honorary Medal.” Recipients of the Medal may use the letters “QSM” after their name.
Three other Filipinos in New Zealand were given such high honors from the Queen.
During the Queen's birthday celebration last June, Anita Mansell, leader of Wellington's Filifest Dance Group and President of the Lower Hutt Ethnic Council, was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for service to the Filipino Community.
In 2007, a similar award was given to Dr. Antonio Noblejas, a Filipino psychiatrist and an active leader in the Filipino community in Auckland.
Noblejas was also one of the recipients of the Banaag Award in the 2009 Presidential Awards for Individuals and Organizations Overseas administered by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO).
On the other hand, Sylvia Zonoobi, a New Zealander of Filipino descent who was married to an Iranian, was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit, an Order of Chivalry instituted by Royal Warrant.
Zonoobi, who entered New Zealand with her family in the early 1980's as refugees, was also appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for service to refugees and migrant communities in 2003.
She has been, and remains to be active in the advocacy for refugees and migrants welfare.
source: mb.com.ph
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