05 December 2016 — Motivated by the spirit to win the most creative parol, members of the ASEAN Women’s Circle (AWC) gamely participated in the parol-making activity during the “Paskong Pinoy,” a pre-Christmas activity organized by the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN in Jakarta on December 01.

Twelve teams competed in creating parols made of the ubiquitous bamboo adorned with colorful papel de japon or papel de lana, while a few parols were decked with the ASEAN emblem.  The top three winners received prizes ranging from Philippine-made handicrafts, grocery vouchers and cash prizes. 

Aside from the parol-making activity, Filipino games such as PinoyHenyo and Pera or Bayong were played to the delight of the audience.  Mr. JP Samonte, newly arrived officer of the Mission, explained the process of parol-making while Mr. NJ de Guzman acted as game master.

“I had so much fun. I loved the food and enjoyed parol-making,” a guest from the Indian Mission to ASEAN said. 

Guests also took turns in having their photos taken by the brightly decorated Christmas tree at the Philippine Mission to ASEAN, which was adorned with capiz shells and poinsettia, while everyone received Christmas inspired abaca bags containing goodies and home-made polvoron.

The event, hosted by Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, was part of the regular activities of the AWC, an organization of spouses of ASEAN Member States. 

The thanksgiving luncheon also aimed at honoring the Executive Committee of the AWC for their hard work in 2016.  This year, the AWC organized several charity events with the purpose of raising funds for children with disabilities, building school rooms in remote areas in Indonesia and providing classroom equipment to a school by a garbage dump in Jakarta. 

 “AWC’s projects genuinely reflect what it means when we say, we all belong to one caring and sharing ASEAN community,” said Ambassador Buensuceso. END