BY Richard Ford – The annual December event Pasko sa Canberra held at the grounds of the Philippine Embassy in Manuka, ACT last 7th December 2014 was headlined by recent Miss Philippine Australia beauty pageant winners and entertainers from Sydney
Philippine Ambassador to Australia Her Excellency Belen Anota was very pleased watching the entertainment ,and with the good turnout of visitors to the Pasko sa Canberra held at the forecourt of the Philippine Embassy.
A contingent from Sydney was composed of Miss Philippines-Australia, Glyssa Perez , Miss Arianne Tan – the Miss Philippine Australia Runner Up; Miss Hannah Arnold- Miss Charity Queen; and Miss Desa Santos – Miss Charity Princes.
Wearing their respective sashes, the ladies stood tall and beautiful among the visitors of Pasko sa Canberra masses and the characteristic photo opportunities with visiting beauties occupied much of the day with enthusiastic supporters eager to have a selfie or group photo The Pasko Sa Canberra celebration was orderly, entertaining and featured various Filipino mouth-watering cuisine in the obligatory food festival.
Entertainer from Sydney, Mr Brian Lorenz Babon belted a number of songs from his newly released album whilst the skilled and amusing Cultural Dancers from Canberra and some; soloists from Melbourne were strong drawcards.
Musicians and many other young performers onstage contributed beautiful rendition of various Christmas carols.
Miss Charity Queen, Hannah Arnold who’s from Canberra introduced the visiting beauties onstage who in turn thanked Canberrans for their support to the Sydney-based beauty pageant.
Miss Philippine Australia, Glyssa Perez, encouraged young ladies to join the beauty pageant as a way of helping worthwhile community fund raising and at the same time undergo first class personality development including enhancing their talents and building up skills to compliment their chosen for career paths
The contingent also included Philippine Australia Sports and Culture (PASC) president Mr. Manny Castillo, OAM, Mrs Imelda Serra, Manager of Miss Glyssa Perez; president of Visayan Association of Ausstralia (VAA) Mr Jhun Salazar, a well as VAA members Sarah Salazar, Dian Ford and this writer and members of PASC Board of Directors Michael Moraleda, Joseph Magno, George Torres, Christoph Krause; and welfare coordinator, Steve Warczak.