08 December 2016 — The 13th “Pasko sa Canberra” or Christmas in Canberra, the biggest annual Filipino festival in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) organized by the Filipino Community Council of the ACT (FCCACT) was held at the Philippine Embassy grounds with around a thousand people in attendance on December 04.
Ms. Cecilia Flores, President of FCCACT, thanked the Filipino community for supporting the event and for coming together in celebration of the Christmas season. She thanked the members of the organizing committee for their time and effort and putting together another successful “Pasko sa Canberra”.
In her message, Ambassador of the Philippines to Australia Minda Calaguian-Cruz, said that “Pasko sa Canberra”is especially meaningful this year as we mark the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Australia.
She said that the Filipino community is the partner of the Philippine Embassy in nurturing and developing the historic linkages and friendship between Filipinos and Australians.
Alistair Coe MLA, Leader of the Opposition of the ACT Legislative Assembly, commended the Filipino community for their contributions to Canberra and the whole of Australia. He said Filipinos have a wonderful way of celebrating their culture while also embracing Australia as their second home.
Chris Steel MLA, representing Chief Minister Andrew Barr MLA, also thanked the Filipino community for organizing the event and for sharing the Filipino culture with Canberra.
The program was filled with several musical and dance numbers by Filipino local community organisations, Filipino martial arts demonstration, and a special subli dance by the children of the Philippine embassy personnel. END