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 Children’s 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 inArlington, 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 everyone’s 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 God’s 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. - By Becky Pagsibingan