The Philippine Embassy Officers and Staff poses for a snapshot during the Christmas Party Celebration at the Chancery.

 

05 December 2010 - Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Jesus I. Yabes led the Embassy officers and staff in celebrating Christmas with the Filipino community and other guests.
 

The Embassy's annual Christmas Party was held at the Chancery on December 5 amidst an atmosphere of excitement and fun.

The program began in the afternoon with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.

Filipino nuns from the Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary, who run the Convent School in Islamabad, followed with their rendition of the song "Pananagutan."

Ambassador Yabes welcomed the guests and acknowledged the presence of Pakistani Ambassador Bashir Malik, who is married to a Filipina; Ms. Grace Shaikh, head of the Progressive Society of Filipinos in Islamabad; and guest of honor Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Pakistan Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, who himself is a Filipino and a native of Naga City.

He then delivered a message, offering hope and goodwill to all, while wishing Filipinos "a Christmas filled with love and a New Year full of peace."

For his part, Archbishop Yllana shared an inspirational message, reminding everyone present of the true meaning of Christmas.

He praised the overseas Filipino workers in Pakistan for their labor and sacrifices, and asked them "to rejoice and be happy with those back home in the Philippines." The Apostolic Nuncio also wished all a joyous Christmas.

As part of the celebration, a song-and-dance competition was prepared with some Filipinos singing novelty songs, while others showcased the latest dance steps.

Of the performers, Filipino-Pakistani Mariam Qureshi stood out in her song number, but it was a group of Filipino ladies from Bharia town dressed in Santa suits who won the audience's heart with their lively dance performance.

Not to be outdone were the Embassy ladies, who likewise danced a medley of tunes.

 

There were many parlor games for children and those young at heart.  Prizes from elegant glassware pieces to cell phones, donated by Filipino expatriates, were also raffled in between the performances and games to keep the excitement going.

Many Filipino-Pakistanis and their families from as far as three hours away from Islamabad trekked to the Embassy to celebrate Christmas.

A large group of Filipino-Americans from the United States Embassy and its affiliate organizations such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and another group of Filipinos from the United Nations agencies in Pakistan joined the merriment that lasted till nearly midnight.

No Embassy Christmas party would be complete without treating the guests to an array of delicious Filipino snacks and dishes.

Thus, the Embassy prepared siopao, puto, and empanada, alongside dinuguan, adobo, laing, pansit, arroz caldo, pritong lumpia, pinakbet, and beef kaldereta, among others, to everybody's delight.  Also served were hot kapeng Lagawe from Ifugao, kapeng Barako from Batangas and tsokolate to fight off the chilly weather.

 

Members of the Filipino Community showcase their talent in dancing to the

beat of Christmas Medley.

As part of the program, the film Fidel was shown between merienda and dinner time.

The Christmas party brought joy to the more than 300 Filipinos and other guests, and the Embassy was congratulated for a well-organized and well-attended activity. END