Filipino Festival Begins Christmas Celebration in Canberra
Rondanihan, a Canberra-based rondalla group, opened the Pasko sa Canberra (Christmas in Canberra) festivities with a rendition of well-loved Filipino Christmas songs. (Canberra PE photo)
CANBERRA 17 December 2018 – Around 2,000 people flocked to the grounds of the Philippine Embassy in Canberra to join the Pasko sa Canberra 2018 (Christmas in Canberra) festivities on 02 December 2018.
An annual tradition in the past 15 years, Pasko sa Canberra is jointly organized by the Filipino Community Council of the ACT (FCCACT), the peak body of Filipino Community organizations in Australia’s capital city, and the Embassy.
It is a festival which shares Filipino Christmas traditions with the Canberra community through food stalls with authentic Filipino cuisine, tourism promotion activities, Christmas carols, gift-giving for kids, raffle draws, and performances. The festival also features the “Canberra’s Got Talent”, a talent competition featuring promising performers from the Australian Capital Territory.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen Barber De La Vega said that the festival was her first official engagement as the country's top envoy. She said that the Filipino Community in Australia, at about 300,000 strong, is an important partner of the Philippine government in enhancing the Philippines-Australia Comprehensive Partnership.
Ambassador De La Vega also recognized the significant contributions of Filipinos to the economic, social, and development fabric of Australian society. She shared the importance of the Christmas season for Filipinos as a celebration of faith and thanksgiving.
The Pasko sa Canberra is held every year on the first Sunday of December. END
More than 2,000 people from the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding areas take part in Pasko sa Canberra 2018 at the Philippine Embassy in Canberra on 02 December 2018. (Canberra PE photo)
Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen Barber De La Vega delivers her message during Pasko sa Canberra 2018 at the Philippine Embassy in Canberra on 02 December 2018. (Canberra PE photo)
The photo wall of the Philippines Department of Tourism was a hit among the many guests at the Pasko sa Canberra event at the Philippine Embassy grounds on 02 December 2018. (Canberra PE photo)
For more information, visit www.canberrape.dfa.gov.ph / www.philembassy.org.au or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustralia/.