Sports day celebrates culture

Aran Olea taking part in a basketball game at the annual Filipino Games Sports Fest and Family Fun Day. Photo / Stephen Parker

Annual activity days celebrating the Filipino culture in Rotorua are growing every year, an organiser says.

More than 200 people gathered at the Western Heights High School gym on Saturday for the Filipino Games Sports Fest and Family Fun Day.

The annual event was combined with celebrations for Philippine Independence Day this year.

Co-organiser Elmer Ersando said the family-friendly event went down well with locals.

"The people who came along were all very energetic and excited. We had a lot of people taking part in the basketball and volleyball games which was great to see.

"People were also enthusiastic about the traditional Filipino games such as luksong lubid, luksong tinik, patintero, tumbang preso and palosebo."

The day was hosted by Palarong Pinoy sa Rotorua in association with Multicultural Rotorua.

It is also supported by the Bay of Plenty Philippine Friendship Society and the Philippine Club of Rotorua.

About 80 people took part in the first Family Fun Day, held in December 2013.

Mr Ersando said he thought there was over 200 people at Saturday's festival, but hadn't finished counting.

"Overall we think this year's celebrations were a success. If I was to guess, I would say there were more people attending this year than previous years which shows how much the Filipino community in Rotorua is growing."

He said among the day's attendees were local politicians Todd McClay and mayor Steve Chadwick.

"We really appreciated their attendance because it shows their commitment to the city's different cultures."

Mr Ersando said the traditional Filipino food stalls were a favourite and the day offered the perfect opportunity for "Kiwi-Filipino families to celebrate their mixed cultures".