The Trust

DAME MIRIAM BATUCAN, founding chairman of the NZ-Filipino Sto Nino Devotees Trust in 1994 and prime mover of Sinulog NZ activities since 1994. An accountant by profession working with big multi-national companies here in New Zealand for the past 30 years. She is a recipient of 2 papal awards, namely the Benemerenti Medal from Pope Benedict XVI and conferred Dame of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Sylvester Pope and Martyr. Recipient of an award in Clinical Pastoral Education. Very much involved in Pastoral care among Filipinos and non-Filipinos in various communities especially with the young people, couples and families, she received the Queen's Service Medal (QSM) in the 2015 Honours List. Sinulog NZ has been appointed as Community Connectors - Care in Community Welfare Providers working with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and other Government agencies.

Her Message : All Glory and Praise to God for giving us the opportunity to help spread the devotions to Senor Santo Nino here in Auckland New Zealand. Thank you to all devotees and community groups who have worked hand in hand with us in making alive the devotions to Senor Santo Nino here in this beautiful part of the world, Aotearoa New Zealand. 30 years of faithful devotions to our beloved Senor Santo Nino is a great blessing for us all. Let us keep the devotions going and pass them on to the next generations. Viva Senor Santo Nino! Pit Senor!

Email Batucan@xtra.co.nz

SIR OSCAR BATUCAN answers the call for a true Servant Leader. He relentlessly promotes community service. He has a reputation of a good communicator, a team builder, idea generator, problem solver. He is a person of professional and personal integrity. Oscar is a graduate of Bachelor in Commerce.

Highlights of his work and community service include:

• Senior Executive Officer, DSW South Auckland DistrictDistrict
• Manager IRD, Child Support Agency South Auckland
• Case Manager, Ministry of Social Development, WINZ
• Justice of the Peace since 1994
• Project Development Manager
• Job placement and Consultancy – Employment, Education and Enterprise
• Papal Awardee and Recipient of the Pope Benedict XVI Benemerenti Medal
• Conferred Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Sylvester Pope and Martyr
• Recipient of the Queen's Service Medal (QSM) - 2015 Honour's List
• Involvement in youth development and migrant advocacy
• Anchor - Filipinas Mabuhay Radio (104.6 Planet FM)

MARY ANNE BATUCAN is currently working as a Technical Business Analyst for Equifax. Anne as she is known to family and friends has had a number of years experience in IT particularly in healthcare, telecommunications, email and web security, airline and credit bureaus. She has been actively involved in the Trust’s activities since its inception and is currently the Secretary for the Trust.

JOYCE GESTA graduated Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Accounting. Been with Cooperative Bank (formerly PSIS) since 1988. Currently branch manager, Onehunga Branch since 2005 but have had manager roles since 1993.

BEBETH CUTTEN is a long time Trustee. She actively promotes and supports all projects of the Trust most specially the annual grand Sinulog festival.

MARIA CONSUELO “CHICHI” ABADINGO coordinates the community and choir groups involved in the yearly 9 days Novena as part of her Liturgical Committee duty. She administers the Sinulog NZ Social Media pages as well as maintains the website with updates on all activities of the Trust. She has over 25 years of work experience in business software development and project management. When she is not doing geek work as an ERP Business Analyst, she writes, attends dance and fitness classes, and works on the Holy Cross Papatoetoe Parish Liturgy Committee.

ROBERT VILLOS also known as Yoyong or Yongvils to his close friends and family came to New Zealand in 2015. Being away from home,this gravitated him to strengthen his faith to the Lord through Sto. Nino. Since then, he became a silent devotee until Sto. Nino did his mysterious works by transforming his silent devotion to be a more visible. Together with his wife Jewel, the became the 2023 Hermano and Hermana. Despite being a Business graduate, Yoyong pursued his career in the Trades industry here in New Zealand, specialising in group home builds. He’s currently the branch manager for Mico Bathrooms and Plumbing Wairau branch, a Fletcher Building company. Yoyong and his wife, Jewel are proud members of the Couples for Christ West Auckland Chapter.

JEWEL VILLOS, raised by Sto Nino devotees in Cagayan de Oro, arrived in New Zealand on April 2014 that marked her long distance relationship with her family which she was not accustomed to. By God's grace she found her place working as a business lecturer in a Private Tertiary Education provider which helped her settle and further her knowledge in Adult Tertiary education. Jewel is currently working as a Faculty Academic Lead at NZMA designing academic programmes for accreditation to NZQA. Outside of work, she is the brain and hand behind Tinapay Atbp where you get your mouth watering milky Cheese Rolls. With Jewel's high energy, and entrepreneurial spirit, you'll also find her in various Filipino events. Jewel and her husband, Robert are also proud members of the Couples for Christ West Auckland Chapter.

CHRISTINE REPIZO. Born and raised in Cebu, Philippines. I have been a Sto Nino devotee since a kid tagging along my mom. I am grateful to be part of NZ Sinulog and continue my devotion not only personally but along side others of the same faith. I have been blessed working as accountant in multinational companies in NZ and pursue my hobbies in baking and sewing. Equally grateful for the blessings our family received. Viva Pit Senyor.

JC/BOBOY CABALLERO is a seasoned IT professional with a number of years of experience. Happily married to Joy Caballero with 3 young adult children. A Santo Niño devotee. Has always been a supporter of the Sinulog Trust since its inception 30 years ago. Serving as a current trustee.

JOY CABALLERO is a versatile results-oriented IT professional with a number of years of experience across various industries. Happily married to JC/Boboy Caballero with 3 young adult children. A Santo Niño devotee. Is a founding trustee of the Sinulog Trust since 30 years ago till the present.

ESPERANZA RESURRECCION ‘Rexy’ Jose brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role as a Community Support Worker for individuals with disabilities at Spectrum Care Limited. Rexy's deep devotion to Sto Niño began in 2009, where she’s been involved in novena masses, offerings, and dancing.
In 2019, both Rexy and her husband, Boyet Jose, received recognition as the Hermana and Hermano, honouring their remarkable contributions by evangelising in the community and enhancing the experience for new and existing Sto Niño devotees. Since 2020, Rexy has served as a member of the Board of Trustees.

ERWIN LACKAR has been a trustee since 2021. He and wife Marilyn became devotees in 2017 and grateful to be blessed with a beautiful son in 2022. Erwin has been in the Finance industry for more than a decade. He is currently a Client Services Manager/Financial Adviser for PIE Funds. He is responsible for managing client relactionships as well as providing outstanding experiences to existing and potential clients. Prior to joining PIE Erwin worked at Fisher Funds and AMP New Zealand. He & wife Marilyn are also members of the Couples for Christ (CFC) in Auckland.

MARILYN LACKAR known as Olay to her family and friends has been a trustee since 2021. She and her husband Erwin became devotees in 2017 and grateful to be blessed with a beautiful son in 2022. Marilyn has been in the Telco-Techco industry for more than a decade - since 2008 overseas and since 2016 in NZ. A sales expert highly skilled in Strategic Account Management and Strategic solution selling. She’s currently an Enterprise Account Manager in the Key Accounts team at One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone New Zealand). She and husband Erwin are also members of Couples For Christ (CFC) in Auckland.

CATHY TOMAQUIN. I'm currently working at Auckland Council. I've been a Santo Niño devotee here in Auckland, NZ for 20+ years and became one of the trustees 4 years ago. I am also the Area Coordinator within Glenfield, Albany & wider North Shore areas where I explore Santo Nino for those families who wish a visit in their homes. Growing up in Cebu, I have always been a devotee and it is mandatory in my family to annually attend the Novena and Sinulog Festival. Over the years, it is fascinating to see how much it has evolved and to see Filipinos all over NZ gather. May people's devotions keep going and be passed on.