Kwentong Aotearoa:
Crossing Oceans, Creating Stories

Rolando B. Tolentino, PhD is a Professor of the University of the Philippines Film Institute and has previously served as Dean of the UP College of Mass Communication and Vice President for Public Affairs of the UP System. He is currently the Director of the UP Institute of Creative Writing, where he also serves as a fellow. He previously taught at Osaka University, the National University of Singapore, and the University of California, Berkeley.

His research interests span Philippine literature, popular culture, cinema and media, with a focus on the intersections of national and transnational issues. He is also a published writer of fiction and creative nonfiction.

He is a member of Manunuri g Pelikulang Pilipino, Altermidya (People's Alternative Media Network), and the Congress of Teachers and Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND-UP).

Hannah Pia Baral was born in the Philippines and immigrated to New Zealand with her family in the late 80’s. Since earning a BA in English and Politics and an MA in Politics from the University of Auckland, her career path has seen her take on a variety of leadership roles in the health and education sectors in both New Zealand and Australia. During her 14 years in Australia she also earned her MBA from the University of Newcastle, and held volunteer roles with a number LGBTIQA+ organisations, including a board position and expert advisory roles. 

Hannah has a wealth of adult education sector experience. Along with past roles with ACE Aotearoa, she has completed ASPBAE's Basic Leadership Development Course (BLDC) and maintained connections with ASPBAE for over a decade. 

Hannah has gained recognition for her exceptional skills in transforming and modernising organisations, spearheading strategic change, successfully collaborating with government agencies and funders, and growing strong workplace cultures. It is with great excitement that she returns to New Zealand and ACE Aotearoa, to continue supporting a sector she is very passionate about.

Marianne (M-AH-rianne) Infante is an award-winning Kapampángan-Filipino theatre and film creative based in Tāmaki Makaurau. A graduate of Unitec’s BPSA, she works across the industry as an actor, writer, producer, emerging director, intimacy professional in-training, mentor, and advocate. She is the Executive Director of Proudly Asian Theatre (PAT), co-founder of Te & Kuya Collaborative (TKC), and has served on the Equity NZ board since 2020, championing fair and safe working conditions for artists in Aotearoa.

Marianne is recognised as a trailblazer, having achieved several creative “firsts.” Her debut work PINAY made history as Aotearoa’s first Filipino theatre production, winning ‘Excellent Overall Production’ at the 2019 Auckland Theatre Awards. She went on to write and co-produce MEKENI, NZ’s first Kapampángan film, which earned six NZ WebFest nominations and won her ‘Best Actress’. From 2021 to 2025, she became the first Filipino core cast member on Shortland Street. In 2024, she received WIFT NZ’s Outstanding Newcomer Award.