08 December 2016 — The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv begins the Christmas Season with its annual Christmas tree ceremony held at the Terra Sancta School in Tel Aviv-Jaffa on December 03.
Ambassador Neal Imperial gave his remarks before a crowd of 200 members of the Filipino community, members of the clergy including Filipino nuns and priests from different congregations, Israeli guests, and friends of the Embassy who gathered in the joyful celebration. Fr. Michael Grospe, Director of the Our Lady Woman of Valor Pastoral Center, delivered his Christmas message.
The lighting of the Christmas tree was followed by a choral group competition wherein four groups showcased popular Christmas carols. The Jerusalem Angels Choir of the Good Shepherd Filipino Catholic Community bagged the top prize, followed by the St. Francis Choir (1st runner-up), and the Singing Food Committee (2nd runner up). The parol-making contest, which highlighted Filipinos’ ingenuity and creativity through the recycled materials used by the contestants, had nine participants from various Filipino organizations. The Association of Igorot Migrant Workers in Israel won 1st prize, followed by the Israel OFW Association for the 2nd prize and the Samahang Ilocano Kabagis Holyland for the 3rd prize.
The ceremony also featured a delightful performance by the E-Force kids, a group of Filipino children of migrant Filipinos in Israel, choreographed by Ms. Elaine Vicente. The kids sang and danced to popular Christmas songs and had a short drama presentation on the peace, joy and love that the Christmas season brings to everyone. Ms. Kathleen Eligado, who bagged the 2nd place at the singing contest under the Beit Sefer Le Musica 2010, sang “Pasko na Sinta Ko”. Mr. Rani Montemayor, a popular talent in the Filipino community and a long-time caregiver in Israel, serenaded the crowd with “Sana Ngayong Pasko” and “Please Come Home for Christmas” END