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| The day-long Paskong Pinoy on Chater Road will be kicked off with the OFW Day celebration |
A merry Christmas is in store for Filipinos in Hong Kong when they take over the entire Chater Road in Central on December 24 for a host of activities that will include a variety show, games, lantern-making contest, midnight mass and a “Paskong Salubong”.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
The whole-day
event called “Paskong Pinoy sa Hong Kong at PaStaran 2023” is jointly organized
by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Consulate General
in Hong Kong.
It will mark the
first time in four years that a big public gathering of Filipinos on Christmas
eve for the announcement winners in the “PaStaran” lantern-making contest and the
Misa de Aguinaldo – suspended due to widespread protests and the Covid-19
pandemic - will be in held in Central.
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| How? Pindutin dito |
This time
around, it will be held simultaneously with OWWA’s OFW Day, which will be personally
led by the government agency’s administrator, Arnell Ignacio.
According to
welfare officer Marilou Sumalinog the tribute to OFWs was originally planned to
be held on Dec 10, ahead of International Migrants’ Day on Dec 18, but the Hong
Kong government declined permission for Chater Road to be used for a public
event that day, as it coincided with District Council elections.
DETALYE
Thus, some major
artists who were supposed to grace OWWA’s tribute to OFWs had to cancel, as
Christmas eve is often reserved for family celebrations back home. As of this
writing, she said she was not sure if VIPs or guest artists from the
Philippines would come.
Nevertheless,
the day is expected to bring cheer to many OFWs, as several community organizations
are on board to present songs, dances and take part in games and contests.
PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE
The day will start with a thanksgiving mass at 9am, followed by parlor games, mass zumba dancing, and a parade. In the afternoon, outgoing Consul General Raly Tejada will lead other officers of the Consulate and the Migrant Workers Office in delivering speeches and Christmas messages to the community. OWWA Administrator Ignacio is keynote speaker.
The afternoon
program will be capped with a sing and dance competition and a mass dance by
some 500 OFWs.
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| Winners of the PaStaran contest will be announced at 7:30pm |
In the evening,
the Consulate will announce the winners of its month-long PaStaran contest,
where Filcom organizations were invited to show their creativity by coming up
with traditional lanterns or “parol” using mostly recycled materials.
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| Pindutin para sa detalye |
The group to be
adjudged Grand Winner will get $5,000; first runner-up, $3,000; second
runner-up, $2,000. The winner of an online voting contest will get the People’s
Choice Award and $1,000.
The Misa de
Aguinaldo will be held at 10:00pm, with the Catholic Chaplain for Filipinos,
Fr. Jay Flandez, officiating.
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| All are welcome to join the Misa de Aguinaldo by the Catholic Diocese |
Wrapping up the
whole-day celebration will be “Paskong Salubong” or what’s envisioned to be a
festive welcome to Christmas Day, to be held right at midnight .
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| PADALA NA! |
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| CALL US! |
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