22 December 2015 - The Philippine Embassy held a Christmas party for the Filipino community in Chile at Parroquia Italiana, more popularly known as Church of the Migrants located at Avenida General Bustamante, Providencia, Santiago, Chile on December 12.

The event started with the community singing the Philippine national anthem, followed by the Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires Raisa A. Mabayo welcoming the attendees and expressing her gratitude to the community for their active support and participation in all events organized by the Embassy in 2015.

Highlights of the celebration included a sing and dance competition as well as the awarding of the parol-making contest.

Contestants for both the singing and dancing contests livened up the stage with their performances and impressed the audience with their rendition and interpretation of their chosen original Filipino music for songs and dances.  Five individuals joined the singing contest which was won by Ms. Mary Grace Arquero, who sang “Ikaw” popularized by Ariel Rivera.  Meanwhile, five groups participated in the dance contest, won by SHEG with their traditional Filpino Bulaklakan dance.

Filipino skill and creativity were on display at the stage with the seven parols submitted for the Parol-Making contest, all of which were made using recyclable materials.

Also adding excitement throughout the event were the numerous door and raffle prizes given to the lucky attendees.

The Embassy also awarded certificates of appreciation to the Filipino community coordinators in recognition of their role in assisting the Embassy, not only during its events but also in ensuring that Filipinos in Chile, most of whom are women household workers, are well and accounted for in times of disasters. During the 8.3-magnitude earthquake in Chile in September this year, the coordinators were quick to inform the Embassy of the safety of their assigned members. A special plaque was also given to Mr. Roy Betinol, who was Filcom head for five years.

The Filipino community in Chile has ballooned in the last couple of years, now totaling up to 340 registered members from around 100 in 2013. With the Christmas party, the Embassy hoped to ensure that Filipinos in Chile foster links with each other and are able to feel a sense of community with their countrymen. 

The event ended with the awarding of prizes to contest winners and the community singing “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit” led by song contest winner Ms. Arquero.  END