Introduction

Virtual Merienda is a student initiated activity that seeks to develop connection and collaboration with Filipino students at Rosmini College and attending other New Zealand schools and schools across the GLOBE.

The Purpose (Mission)

• Connect

• Collaborate

• Lead

These are the targets we want to meet by December 2020 (revised):

• Connect Filipino students who attend a minimum of 10 NZ schools and 10 global schools;

• Train, initiate and grow 200 youth ambassadors;

• Teach 250 non-Filipino speakers to learn and use conversational Filipino languages;

• Host an annual students Virtual Merienda "Connect, Collaborate and Lead" Conference; and 

• Perform at least 5,000 hours of service to our community.

This is how our organisation and members will gain by having:

• Developed and are connected with likeminded Filipino people, organisations and businesses. 

• Grown the knowledge of Filipino history, culture, language among members and the wider communities.

• Created support networks for students who are recent arrivals from the Philippines or born outside of the Philippines as they progress through school to university and/or to careers.  

• Helped non-Filipinos to feel comfortable and safe through knowledge of the Filipino people

• Reacted with support for local communities, Filipinos in New Zealand and in the Philippines who are in need due to calamity or social need.  

• Have a good time enjoying all things from the Philippines.

History

Virtual Merienda started at Rosmini College (Auckland, New Zealand)  as a weekly student gathering in October, 2015. The idea to create a "club" for the Filipino students attending the College. Merienda meant a 'snack time' and virtual became a reality when Filipino students attending Ashburton College (Canterbury, New Zealand) joined by live video connection for a 15-20 minute chat in early 2016. The weekly connection numbers grew to a record of 84 students meeting online (see photos).

Rosmini students decided to try teaching Tagalog on line, and the experiment was successful. A class was organised by the Virtual Learning Network - Primary and grew to include students from Kaitoke and Mulberry Grove Schools (Great Barrier Island), Tahakopa (Southland), St Joseph's (Takapuna), Oakura (Taranaki), Mangere Central (South Auckland); and a 'reverse lesson taught by two Ashburton College students to Filipino students at Rosmini College (see photos).

Other schools connecting to Virtual Merienda through the period 2016-18) have been: Ashburton College, Amuri Area School, Hutt Valley International School, Westlake Girls High School, Carmel College and Glenfield College.

Rosmini College students continues (2018) to offer three weekly video classes through the VLN-P, and an internal class for non-Filipino students at Rosmini College.

In November 2017 the VLN-P recognised the first group of Tagalog class teachers with some of their students at Mangere Central School (see photos). 

Early 2018 the Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand and South Pacific, the Hon, Jesus Domingo, on his second visit to Virtual Merienda recognised the four student teachers, and initiated a conversation regarding the implementation of the global Youth Ambassador/Diplomat programme. On August 30, 2018 Ambassador Domingo returned to Rosmini College to initiate that programme.  

Virtual Merienda Programmes:

1. Weekly meeting for Rosmini students (with video connection with students at other schools);

2. Monthly shared merienda and guest speaker

3. Weekly Filipino language classes to Filipino and non-Filipino students

4. Youth Ambassador and Leadership programme

5. All Things Filipino presentation with North Shore Schools

6. FILO Night (A celebration of Filipino music, dance, comedy, drama) Auckland-wide event now planning for third year FILO Night 2023. 

Weekly Meet Ups

Joining Filipino students in New Zealand and abroad is the goal of the weekly Virtual Merienda meet ups. 

Carmel College (Auckland), Hutt Valley International School (Wellington)  meet with Rosmini College at Virtual Merienda

Filipino Language Classes

Rosmini College students pioneered the delivery of on-line live video classes to New Zealand students in 2016. Using Zoom video technology and collaborating with the Virtual Learning Network - Primary, Rosmini students meet their students weekly. Participating schools have been Kaitoke and Mulberry Grove (Great Barrier Island), Moanataira (Waikato), St Joseph's (North Shore), Tahakopa (Southland), Amuri Area (Canterbury), Oakura (Taranaki), Mangere Central (South Auckland), St Martins (Horowhanua), St Josephs (Christchurch), Whataroa (Westland), Matamata College (Waikato).

2023 classes are offered at the following times.  

If interested please visit the following link: https://sites.google.com/a/rosmini.school.nz/virtual-merienda/tagalog-filipino-language-lessons

2023 Class Schedule

Tuesdays 12:10 to 12:40 (level 2/3) -- Full

Wednesday 1:00 to 1:30 pm

Thursday 11:30 to 12:00 pm 

and 12:10 to 12:40 pm - Full

Friday 12:10 to 12:40 

           and 1:40 to 2:10

2017 Tagalog teachers present an overview of their programme to the Asian Languages in Schools (MoE) leadership team, receive recognition for their teaching success, and meet some of their on-line students in person at Mangere Central School, November 2017.

Youth Ambassador and Leadership Programme

UNIVERSAL DIPLOMACY SPECIAL GROUPS

Guardia Diplomatica

The Guardia Diplomatica (GD) is an International Corps of volunteers with the following functional areas and activities: (a) Honour Guard, (b) Civil Defence,  (c) Military, Police & Emergency Services Liaison and (d) Cadet Force & Youth Development.  GD units are formed at the community level in coordination with the Embassy, and are organised similarly to the Uniformed Services and the Scouts / Guides Movement.

Diplomats & Knights of St. Gabriel

The Diplomats and Knights of St. Gabriel (DKSG) is an international fellowship of individual Diplomats, Knights and Chivalric Individuals - members of Orders of Knighthood, Religious Orders, Humanitarian Organisations and the Uniformed Services.  It seeks to promote Chivalry – adapted to modern times -  and Humanitarianism – as found in the body of International Humanitarian Law, in the context of Ecumenism and Diplomacy. It is informed by the Vatican’s relevant works on international relations concerns particularly Laudato Si .  Its core element, the Knights of St. Gabriel (KSG) was founded in 1996 in the UN Community in New York, and is an observer member of the International Alliance of Catholic Knights (KSG).