21 December 2015 – Some 350 members of the Filipino community in Cantons Geneva and Vaud ushered the celebration of Christmas in an evening of traditional Filipino and popular Christmas carols and sharing of Filipino food on December 04 at the Foyer International D’Etudiants St-Justin in Geneva, Switzerland.
A brainchild of the Philippine Consulate General in Geneva, Paskong Pinoy sa Geneva was organized in coordination with the Ugnayang Bayan, the umbrella federation of several Filipino organizations in cantons Geneva and Vaud in Switzerland.
They dubbed this event as “Paskong Pinoy sa Geneva.” This Christmas event has two parts, the first part featured the performances of the church-based choirs and the second part was the traditional salo-salo of Filipino food.
Paskong Pinoy sa Geneva featured four local Filipino choirs: Christian Church Fellowship International (CCFI) Choir, Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ Choir, Come to Jesus Fellowship International (CCFI) Youth Choir, and the Filipino Catholic Community in Geneva (FCCG) Choir. These church based choirs’ rendition of traditional Filipino and popular Christmas songs brought nostalgia to the crowd.
Joining the festivities, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Offices and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, together with Philippine Mission and Consulate General personnel led the community singing of the Filipino carol “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit.”
“I’m very happy that I am part of the this celebration. It has been a long time, almost 15 years, since we have this kind of Christmas gathering where all organizations are represented and even those without organizations were able to join,” said Daday, one of the leaders of the Ugnayan Bayan.
Admission to the Paskong Pinoy sa Geneva was free of charge. Philippine Consul General Enrico T. Fos emphasized that “this Christmas event is open to all kababayans and friends, to share the Christmas spirit and usher the celebration of season of love, joy, and peace.”
The Filipino organizations supporting Paskong Pinoy sa Geneva were also united in encouraging the attendance and participation all kababayans, regardless of their organization affiliations and/or non-membership in any of the existing Filipino organizations, groups, or churches.
Paskong Pinoy sa Geneva was supported by the following organizations:Batangas Association, Benguet Igorot Association in Geneva (BIAG), Christian Church Fellowship International (CCFI), Come to Jesus Fellowship International (CTJFI), Couples for Christ Geneva Chapter, FILSVA, Filipino Catholic Community in Geneva (FCCG), Geneva Forum for Philippine Concerns, Grupong Makabayang Pinoy (GMP), Jesus Christ the Deliverer Church, Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ, SIPAG, UP Alumni Association in Geneva (UPAAG), and the Visayas Mindanao Association (VMA).
Paskong Pinoy sa Geneva ended with sumptuous dinner provided by the participating organizations and volunteers. END