PH Embassy in Dili, FilCom Celebrate Christmas Festival

Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Abdulmaid K. Muin on stage for the 2019 Philippine Christmas Festival in Dili, Timor-Leste.

Christmas Parade for the 2019 Philippine Christmas Festival in Dili, Timor-Leste. (Dili PE photo)

DILI 02 January 2020 — The Filipino community in Dili, Timor-Leste, under the leadership of the Association of Filipinos in East Timor (AFET) and in close coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Dili, celebrated the Christmas season with a Christmas Lantern-Making Contest and Parade. 

A total of 22 brightly lit and well-made parols (Christmas Lanterns) were showcased at the Timor Plaza grounds.  Among the major participants were the six Filipino schools in Dili, namely, Eskola De Gracia Y Verdad International School, Heritage International School, Lighthouse International School, Maharlika International School, St. Jude Thaddeus International School, and St. Mary’s Child Development Center.

Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Abdulmaid K. Muin declared the festival open as he thanked the Filipino community for their continued support and invaluable partnership with the Embassy.  Ambassador Muin then assured that the Philippine government, through the Embassy, shall continue to support and assist all Filipinos in Timor-Leste. He emphasized the virtue of kindness and encouraged everyone to strive for the common good and welfare of all.

The Festival also featured a Christmas Carol Singing Contest, which was participated in by the above-mentioned Filipino schools.  The occasion was graced by former Ambassador to the Philippines and current Director-General of Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Juvencio de Jesus Martins; the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Brunei; the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand; the Indonesian Embassy’s Minister-Counselor; and other ASEAN diplomats.

The Christmas activity was open to the public and it drew the attention and participation of the local and expatriate crowd.  A raffle contest was also conducted towards the end of the program.  In summary, the Christmas festival celebration was a huge success both in the number of attendees and in the fulfillment of the objective to showcase the Filipino brand of Christmas holiday celebration. END

The Filipino community in Dili, Timor-Leste. (Dili PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.dilipe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTimorLeste/.