PASKONG PINOY

December 21, 2007  --  Got something to say?
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By Becky PagsibinganBy Becky Pagsibingan
What a joyous event for the Filipino American community, a Christmas celebration. Paskong Pinoy , a holiday concert, was a wonderful big event to start the over a month long Filipino Christmas season festivities. Over 400 hundred members of the community were ushered in at the Pryzbyla University Center of Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

The holiday concert gave a glimpse into the traditional Filipino celebration where Filipino-American chorale groups and a Rondalla performed Filipino Christmas carols. The program started with Pasko ng Mga Bata which immediately warmed the hearts of the audience. The amiable husband and wife team of emcees, Orly and Ruby Barbosa, reminded everyone that the Filipino Christmas is the longest in the world, in fact over four months when Christmas carols start playing over the radio as early as September (start of the ber months). Visibly, the celebration took the audience through a range of mixed emotions - happiness and nostalgia. As I stood by the stage managing the smooth flow of the program and performing as the Program Director, I could not help but watch the audience when each choir started singing. During those moments, I got connected with them and felt the same way, too. I was conscientiously doing my job, but I got the chance to enjoy what the audience was experiencing. I was lucky to have that opportunity being involved with the project three years in a row now. Paskong Pinoy was the brainchild of the former Cultural Consul, Joy Quintana, whose diplomatic term in Washington, D.C. ended mid of this year. Consul Rico Fos who succeeded her had agreed to continue managing and coordinating this worthy project for the community.

Ms. Helene Robertson, the Director of International Student and Scholar Services Department , also adviser of the Filipino Organization of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), gave the welcome remarks followed by Ms. Mencie Hairston, Board Chairman of the PhilippineFoundation for Charities, co-spionsor of the event. His Excellency Williy Gaa, Philippine Ambassador to the United States graced the occasion with his wife, Madam Linda Gaa. The Ambassador gave a wonderful Filipino Christmas message to the audience and graciously thanked all volunteers involved in the event. With two screens showing Philippine Christmas scenes, we felt we were in our native country.

The performers were: Nikko Nolasco, a recipient of the 2007 Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awards for academic excellence, The St. Columba Childrens Choir from Maryland under the able directorship of Lennie Noblezada, Joel Uytenco who performed solo with his flute, the Northern Virginia Rondalla, a three year participant of Paskong Pinoy , formed by a Dasmarinas, Cavite native Mandy Paredes , Jesus is Lord Choir in Arlington, Virginia led by Pastor Jessie Maghacot and directed by Marive Cailipan, the Lorica Family , led by the parents, Dr. Vic Lorica and Dr. Bambi Lorica, who chaired the 2006 Philippine Festival, with three of their four children (one is in Stanford University in CA) - Michele, Andrew and Chrissie. the Filipino Ministry Choir of St. Columba, the Young Adults Choir of St. Columba - both choirs were led by the dynamic director, Val Venida. This choir has been invited to perform at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and last but not least was the Buklod Kaibigan Music Ministry, meaning union of friends. They decided to unite and form a group that engages in faith -enrichment activities which included music ministry, led by its director, Sandy Reposar.

The program ended with a joyous participation of the audience with the community singing of Ang Pasko and Sumapit. At this point, all the performers went up the stage to lead the community singing.

All were standing, swaying and following the lively accompaniment of the Rondalla group.while they sang the nostalgic Filipino Christmas song. With a glow in everyones eyes, all gathered around the buffet tables laden with pancit, lumpia, puto, kutchinta, empanada, salabat at iba pang sari-saring kakanin. Over a traditional Filipino salo-salo, we had the opportunity to see old friends and acquaintances - a wonderful and nostalgic scenario, the Filipino style. With Gods grace, I hope that we can come together again to celebrate the 2008 Paskong Pinoy.

The event was sponsored by the Embassy of the Philippines and the Philippine American Foundation for Charities, Inc. in partnership with the Catholic University of America -Helene Robertson, Brandon Petit and the Operations Team, Katrina Bandong, Alfonso Caraos, Melanie Singh and the rest of the FOCUS group, the Alpha Phi Omega under the leadership of Ferdie Gomez, the Tau Gamma Phi of Mid Atlantic Region led by Dale Aguirre.

With the Bayanihan spirit, the Paskong Pinoy was a big success because of the concerted efforts of the village.

The Gracious Hosts
Ambassador Willy and Mrs. Linda Gaa recently hosted a couple of Christmas parties at their elegant residence in McLean, Virginia. The first one was the Christmas party for the former officers and staff of the Embassy of the Philippines organized by Miriam Mirasol and colleagues, circa 1982. It was fun to recall the happenings at the Embassy like twenty some years ago and it was like a game connecting names to familiar faces - like Remy, Susan, Jocelyn, Jingle, Rey, Agnes, Rudy, Joy, Inday, Shirley, Sonia, Jun and others that I may have missed. The gregarious Lulu Rosales did not change at all - still the life of the party. Some spouses and a few children were also present to join the fun - Jojo and son, Dino, Charito, Daisy , Iday, Ellen and Jess. The big surprise of the evening was the presence of former Ambassador Kokoy Romualdez and his spouse, Mrs. Juliet Romualdez. The former Ambassador could still remember our names - first ad last names. I was impressed.

The next evening, another party was held at the Ambassadors elegant place. This time, the crowd was different, it was his colleagues at the University of the Philippines, with the fraternity and sorority groups combined. The mood was more formal because all the invited guests were in long gown and black tie and clearly, the interest was ballroom dancing. The Ambassador and Mrs. Gaa danced the Cha-Cha and Boogie, but they were also interested in Rhumba and especially the Tango. It was fun dancing with the Ambassador who was an easy learner. We did some Tango steps and Cha-Cha routines. Ms. Linda Gaa was already comfortable dancing the Rhumba with Pat, my husband. Drs. Vic and Bambi Lorica joined the crowd later and performed wonderful dance routines. The night seemed too short after several rounds of music.
Email: pagsibiganr@aol.com

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