PHL Consulate General in San Francisco Celebrates Holiday Season with 4th Paskuhan sa Konsulado
29 December 2017 SAN FRANCISCO — The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco held the 4th Annual Paskuhan sa Konsulado, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in San Francisco on December 15.
In the Consulate’s efforts to Spark*Connect*Empower* the Filipino-American Community, a Simbang Gabi was held at the Kalayaan Hall, followed by a procession headed by Consul General Henry S. Bensurto, Madame Mariza Bensurto and Matthew Bensurto, and leaders of the Filipino-American Community.
The Consulate choir sang Filipino Christmas carols to lend solemnity to the procession, while Consul Carlyn A. Monastrial read The Story of the Nativity to over 150 members of the Community in attendance that evening.
Post invited two choirs to sing Christmas carols to foster camaraderie among the attendees, while Mr. Ding Cavestany, a UP alumnus, sang “What A Wonderful World” to encourage the Community to reach out to one another in peace and love during the holiday season.
To add to the evening’s festivities, Philippine Airlines Country Manager Delia Merano raffled off one round-trip economy ticket to a lucky guest, while a young Filipina-American talent, Zeyonce Brown, started off the evening’s community singing with her renditions of modern Christmas carols.
To complete the Paskuhan sa Konsulado experience, the façade of the Philippine Center, as well as the walls of the Kalayaan Hall were festooned with parols from Pampanga, as seen in houses and buildings throughout the Philippines during Christmas. Restaurants and individuals brought food to share, reminiscent of the Noche Buena tradition in the Philippines.
Post has committed to holding the Paskuhan annually, to bring the Philippines closer to the Filipino-American Community and to keep alive Filipino traditions and customs in the San Francisco Bay Area. END
For more information, visit www.sanfranciscopcg.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippinessanfrancisco.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSF/
