23 December 2012 - As part of its cultural diplomacy activities, the Philippine Embassy joined the Christmas Tree Wonderland of the Salvation Army in Johnsonville, Greater Wellington area on December 1 to 3.

Every year, the Salvation Army hosts this community Christmas event where businesses, individuals, embassies and other groups are invited to light up and decorate a Christmas tree to create a fabulous wonderland for the public to enjoy.

Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez displayed her all-Filipino Christmas tree featuring recycled and environment-friendly materials decorated with different Jollibee dolls in international costumes with a “Happy Birthday JESUS” band around each doll, abaca twine, stones, shells and other Filipino décor made by differently abled youth and adults in the Philippines.

The fully lit-up Filipino Christmas Tree stood proudly among several uniquely decorated Christmas trees that dazzled 875 people who stepped into the breathtaking extravaganza of Christmas Tree Wonderland.

According to the Salvation Army organizers, the Filipino Christmas tree was described as amazingly and beautifully different and was among the favourite trees where the young and old alike took photos and admired the decorations and native materials.

Ambassador Benavidez said, “The Christmas Tree Wonderland was a wonderful opportunity for the Philippines to showcase a Filipino Christmas tree complete with native decorations and materials depicting the globally known artistry and creativity of the Filipinos.”

 Ms. Sue Bradley of the Salvation Army Johnsonville Committee thanked the Philippine Embassy for “coming along to decorate a tree for this year’s event. An amazing amount of work was put into all the trees and this was appreciated very much by all who viewed them over the time the event was running.” END