10 December 2014 - The Filipino community in Singapore had an early Christmas gathering at the official residence on December 06.

Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Antonio A. Morales, together with officials and personnel of the Philippine Embassy and the attached agencies, hosted the annual gathering before some of the leaders and members of the Filipino community will go for their yuletide vacation.

The event started with ecumenical prayers by leaders of different faiths followed by a video presentation of events undertaken by the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community in 2014. Following the “bayanihan” spirit, various Filipino community organizations pitched in popular Pinoy dishes for lunch.

The occasion was also an opportunity for the Filipino community to elect the next chairman of the committee that will spearhead preparations for activities coinciding with the 2015 “Araw ng Kalayaan.”

After lunch, performers from the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community rendered popular Christmas songs. A raffle draw with prizes contributed by Filipino company and individual donors highlighted the gathering. The first prize, a framed painting by Filipino artist Pierre Patricio, was won by the representative of Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers-Singapore.

In his message, Ambassador Morales conveyed the Embassy’s gratitude to the community for its consistent support and partnership with the Embassy as he underscored that the celebration of Christmas should be centered on the spirit of sharing and giving. He also invited the participants to pray for the safety of Filipinos who were, at the time, bracing for Typhoon Ruby/Hagupit. END