Philippine Embassy officials pose with the Filipino community during Pasko sa Santiago 2018

Filipino community members sing renditions of beloved Filipino Christmas favorites

Filipino creativity and craftsmanship are showcased in the parol-making contest

Filipino community dance groups excel in the Christmas dance competition

(Santiago, 15 December 2018) – The Philippine Embassy in Chile organized a special Christmas event, entitled “Pasko sa Santiago 2018”, and sponsored three Christmas-themed competitions for more than 300 Filipino attendees on 15 December 2018.

Pasko sa Santiago 2018 was held at the Parroquia Italiana in Providencia in close coordination with leaders and volunteers from the Filipino community in Chile.

In his yearly speech to celebrate Christmas and end the year, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Marcos A.S. Punsalang once again emphasized the importance of holding annual Christmas events to unite the small but fast-growing community of Filipinos in Chile, as well as to showcase Filipino talent, culture and creativity.

He also availed of the opportunity to thank the Embassy’s staff-members and Filipino community leaders for their invaluable contributions in all of the Embassy’s projects and activities in 2018.

Three Christmas-themed competitions—a Christmas Caroling Contest, a Group Dance Contest and a Parol-making Contest—served as highlights of the day-long event.

A long-established Filipino community organization, The Rookies, won the grand prize in the Christmas Caroling Contest with their version of beloved English and Filipino Christmas songs.

The Twinklers, also composed of Filipino longtimers in Chile, won the grand prize in the Group Dance Contest with their dance rendition of Jingle Bell Rock, as well as the grand prize in the Parol-making Contest for their 3D swinging parol.

Pasko sa Santiago is one of three major events held annually by the Philippine Embassy in Chile—along with Independence Day activities for the diplomatic corps and the Filipino community held every June. END