PHL Embassy Holds Special Christmas Event for Filipino Community in Chile
21 December 2017 SANTIAGO — As part of its efforts to reach out to the Filipino community and showcase Filipino talent and culture in Chile, the Philippine Embassy in Santiago organized a special Christmas event entitled Pasko sa Santiago for approximately 600 members of the Filipino community in the country. The event was held at the Parroquia Italiana in central Santiago and was organized in close coordination with leaders from various Filipino community organizations.
In his opening speech, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Marcos A.S. Punsalang underscored the importance of holding the Christmas event as a way to ease the longing of Filipino overseas workers who spend many annual holidays away from their respective loved ones in the Philippines. He also emphasized the importance of the event in solidifying the camaraderie of the small community of 600 plus Filipino migrant workers in Chile.
The event featured a singing contest and a Filipiniana dress-making contest, which saw the eager participation of almost 20 contestants and fashion designers from the community. Special raffle prizes were drawn and given away throughout the afternoon event. Group dance performances were also performed by each of the principal Filipino community organizations in Chile.
Ms. Marifel Bernardino Gervacio won 1st prize in the singing contest through her dynamic rendition of the song Blue Bayou. Ms. Rubie F. Antonio and Mr. George Antonio won the fashion design contest by showcasing their avant-garde design of the barong Tagalog and baro’t saya made with abaca and recyclable materials. END
PHL Embassy officials and staff pose with the Filipino community and the winners of the fashion design contest.
For more information, visit www.santiagope.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChile.