The Filipino Community in Canberra successfully held the “Pasko sa Canberra”, the annual Philippine Christmas Festival in Canberra on Sunday, 04 December 2011 at the Philippine Embassy Grounds.  The event, now on its 8th year, was officially opened by Ms. Perlita Swinbank, President of the Filipino Community Council of ACT, Inc., and the Philippine Ambassador to Australia Belen F. Anota.

Approximately 3,000 people were part of the celebration.  Visitors enjoyed the variety of Filipino food among which were adobo, bopis, pancit, laing, pork and chicken barbecue, okoy, afritada, bicol express and many more.  Sweets and desserts like leche flan, cassava, biko, puto, banana cue were not missed.  Though the weather was a little bit windy, people still lined up for the halo-halo.

The cultural extravaganza gave color to the festivities.  The Rondanihan group played the rondalla and serenaded everyone with Christmas carols, followed by a variety of folk dances and singing.  The Learning Filipino Group, comprised of Filipino-Australian children, entertained the audience with a variety of  Filipino folk dances, songs and even an interpretative drama in the Filipino dialect.

Kids lined up to have their photo opportunity with Santa and received their gifts of goodies and lollies.  Various prizes were given away for the raffle, the top prize being a round trip ticket to Manila sponsored by the Philippine Tours managed by Philippine Honorary Consul in Melbourne, Ms. Virginia Kalong.

Ambassador Anota congratulated the Filipino Community Council of the ACT, Inc. (FCCACT) for successfully organizing the event. She conveyed the Embassy’s support for the various Filipino Community activities and encouraged everyone to continue fostering the value of unity, and harmonious relationship with each in the true spirit of Christmas. She also said that through the Pasko sa Canberra, Filipinos in Australia are given a glimpse of how Filipinos celebrate the Yuletide Season back home. She gave her greetings and expressed hope for continued peace and unity among all Filipinos. 

Ambassador Anota also took the opportunity to announce the ongoing Overseas Absentee Voting Registration and encouraged the public to register, as the Embassy was opened for registration during the day.

The event started at 10:00am and ended at 4:00pm.

(Photos will be coming soon!)