BY RICHARD FORD and Bayanihan News – The Western idea of Christmas featuring Santa Claus in his red and white costume and gift giving showcased the celebration of Christmas by Filipino community organisations in Liverpool, NSW this Christmas season 2014.
The three community organisations of Fil-Oz Liverpool, Inc, Visayan Association of Australia, VAA, Inc and the Praise Family Apostolate hosted the Christmas event “Pasko Na Naman” last 14 December 2014, with joyous participation, wide support and camaraderie, in behalf of the alliance group Alliance of Philippine Community Oganisations or APCO.
The once popular scene of Philippine barrio fiesta is gone. In it stead, many men and women came to celebrate Christmas clad in red and white Santa Clause suit, with many opting civilian costume but with the Santa red and white head gear.
The event featured an evening of festive food, happy camaraderie, top entertainment, public dancing and audience participation.
Among the many Philippine community talents who performed at the program were young Stephanie Bernardo, Sharlene Gamo, VSD Dancerz led by Victor Valdez, Praise Family Apostolate Choir, newly-formed APCO Christmas Choir, Fil-Oz and Visayan Dancers, Annie Marquez with her husband Keith, Linda Trinidad, Joven Estigoy, Albert Prias and Brian Lorenz Babon. The night’s incognito Santa and his two lady assistants distributed the gifts to the children who were present.
The program was emceed by former APCO president Jhun Salazar and the association’s vice president external Recy Pasco.
The free community dinner was put together from food prepared for the occasion by the three hosting organisations and members of APCO. The evening was not only a night full of inspiration and good fun but a night that truly brought out the true Christmas Spirit in everyone. – By Richard Ford and Bayanihan News.