From the creative arts to university students, climate change activists to lawyers and accountants— the Filipino community of Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau has voluntarily come together to raise funds for the Philippines which has been ravaged by five consecutive typhoons in October whilst in the middle of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

A Very Filipino Christmas will be hosted by Filipino comedian James Roque, and showcase local actors Marianne Infante (Othello USC, Pinay, Life Is Easy) , Marwin Silerio (Orientation, Life Is Easy, Pinay) . Local dancers and singers will also be adding joy to your world with A Very Filipino Christmas, featuring special talents such as Celina Torres (IDCO, Dance Studio), William Boquiron, Jose Manza, and the Filipino Student Association’s band, DIWA.

Prior to the show there will be a mini-Filipino fundraising market where a handful of generous local Filipino food businesses will join the event to support the cause. There will also be boxes available for everyone to donate clothes or canned goods which will be sent to the Philippines.

All the funds raised will be donated and allocated to different trusted organisations carrying out typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines, and who will ensure our donations are used effectively. Every cent counts, and your dollar means a lot. Every ticket sold amounts to half a sack of rice—that’s enough to feed a family of four for at least a month.

The Filipino whānau, brothers, and sisters in the Philippines need us, and in true Kiwi spirit we know how to show the kindness that they need and let them know that they too deserve a good Christmas.

Therefor is a multi-disciplinary production company founded by Filipino-Kiwi creative, Alyssa Medel. Therefor's kaupapa is story and people first, and then they figure out the "how". In the true spirit of collaboration, they invite other creatives to work with them on projects that mean something to them, not limiting ourselves to solely one discipline of creative practice.