More than 2,000 Filipinos attended a Christmas event at Fu Jen Catholic University in New Taipei City yesterday, joining their friends and families at home in celebrating one of their country’s most important holidays.
The “Paskong Pinoy,” meaning “Filipino Christmas” in English, was held by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei at the university’s auditorium.
Filipinos from all over the country arrived in tour buses to attend the gathering well before it began at 9am, Philippine Representative to Taiwan Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said.
Photo: Screen grab from a video on Manila Economic and Cultural Office’s Facebook page
An estimated 2,200 people attended yesterday’s festivities, more than the 1,500 expected by MECO and the highest number of attendees for the event in years, she added.
MECO holds a Christmas event for all Filipino migrant workers in Taiwan every year to thank them for their support and cooperation during the past year, Velicaria-Garafil said.
Christmas is a “very special occasion” for all Filipinos, who celebrate the holiday every year in the “-ber months” — September to December — and the event represents the culmination of celebrations for Filipinos in Taiwan, she said.
The event would somewhat “make up for their absence from home, and offer them some happiness and respite from work during Christmas time,” she added.
Drag Race Philippines season one winner Precious Paula Nicole performed before the event’s headliner, Filipino singer Angeline Quinto, took the stage and entertained the crowd with one hit song after another.
A raffle in which winners received cash prizes was held after the performances.
Manufacturing technician Marlene M. Dela Cruz, who won NT$10,000 (US$308.57), said she felt a little sad having to spend Christmas away from home, but said that the event was nice and she was happy to win the prize.
Mary Ann Ofemia, who works at an electronics company in Nantou County, won NT$20,000. Ofemia said being able to celebrate Christmas with so many compatriots was an “overwhelming” experience.
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