7 December 2015 - In keeping with the community's traditions, Filipino-Canadians in Ottawa staged the annual Pasko ng Bayan on 5 December 2015 at the Sandy Hill Community Centre. A parol-making contest, a Christmas food contest and bazaar as well as a singing competition dubbed Pamaskong Palabas ng Pamilya at Barkada highlighted the community celebration of Christmas.

 

 

This year's Pasko ng Bayan saw a record number of Christmas lantern entries, both for the competition and exhibition, following workshops conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Ed Escares in October for adults and children. Painstakingly handcrafted parols decked the hall in full Christmas ambience but one tiny entry handmade by Emma Riza Sapon stood out in the judges' eyes owing to an intricate handmade crèche embedded at the heart of the lantern. Other entries presented by Lily and John Lay, Roger Guevarra, Laarni Casiple and the Hiligaynon Association earned prizes from Western Union and special mention from judges Nora Cote, Sonia del Rosario and Consul General Eric Tamayo. Young participants in the parol workshop were also cited for their works, namely, Jacob Wilson, Samuel Wilson, Annabel Wilson, Gianna Casiple, Brianna Casiple, Elean Moreno, Luc Moreno, Tyson Lay, Shine Tejada and Gianpaolo Bragais.

Christmas food entries were judged by Chef Armando Baisas, Chef TJ David and Dr. Ruby Formoso. Thelma Rogers' bangus sisig and leche flan garnered the best scores while Betty Obas' pork sisig and Bicol Express placed second.

Each Christmas carol presentation by Filipino-Canadian families and friends drew hearty applause from the audience. Vanessa Merjudio-David and friends Jhune Leonardo and Mic Lomocso bagged the first prize for their a capella rendition of Carol of the Bells. The Timog girls, Quitain Family and Kanata Songbirds placed fourth, third and second, respectively in the Pamaskong Palabas ng Pamilya at Barkada as judged by Vanessa Gomez, Bernice Reyes and Oliver Librada.

Pilipinong Migrante sa Canada participated in Pasko ng Bayan as guest performers along with 2014 Ottawa Idol Bernice Reyes, Nora Cote, Miguel Luis Moreno, Gianpaolo Bragais and Marie Mendillo.

 

"Our annual Pasko ng Bayan is where the Filipino community and the Embassy converge as organizer and participant at the same time. Our program encapsulates the sights, sounds and flavors of Christmas traditions we hold dear - the iconic parols that animated our Filipino Christmas spirit and unshakeable faith and hope in the Almighty's provisions; the traditional Filipino food reminiscent of our favorite carinderia, street food vendors in our home town or the very warmth of our mother's kitchen; and Filipino families and friends gamely joining forces to make all of us merry and bright. The happiness we derive from the company of fellow Filipinos underpinned our Pasko ng Bayan activities. On the underside of the parol, the food and the entertainment tonight, I heard the chatter of families and friends as they crafted the beautiful Christmas lanterns on display. At the bazaar, I saw our people's predisposition to feed the hungry. During the Christmas carols contest, I felt the Pinoy's irrepressible love for singing and compulsion to make others happy. Filipino-Canadians have every reason to be proud of their heritage and their role as culture bearers transmitting admirable Filipino traditions and values not only to the younger generations but also to mainstream communities," Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia observed.

The annual Pasko ng Bayan is an initiative of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa undertaken in partnership with the Filipino community. Western Union and the St. Laurent Medical Centre Pharmacy were this year's contest sponsors, along with the Philippine Embassy, while community volunteer Marie Medillo emceed the program. END