OSLO 05 December 2022 – The Filipino Christmas cheer crossed continents as the Philippine Embassy in Norway, together with the Filipino community in the country, came together in an evening of music and gift giving at the Paskong Pinoy 2022 on 01 December 2022 at the Filadelfia International Church Main Hall in Oslo.
Addressing the almost 1,200 strong crowd—the biggest in an Embassy-initiated event and the biggest Filipino gathering in an indoor setting in Norway—Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico T. Fos said that the Paskong Pinoy is a three in one event mounted by all-volunteer effort, and is geared towards bringing a slice of the Filipino Christmas in faraway Norway.
“First, it is a choral festival featuring the beautiful music and voices of the participating church choirs. Second, it is a food bazaar of Filipino Christmas delicacies, and third, it is a gift-giving event, where we have plenty of door prizes and a Pamaskong Handog for some of our nationals, as selected by our participating choirs,” said Ambassador Fos.
“Paskong Pinoy 2022 is a way for the Philippine Embassy to bring together this over a thousand-strong crowd—the biggest so far in an Embassy-initiated event—and showcase our unique brand of Christmas here in Norway, through song, food and gift-giving,” he added.
Eight choirs composed of Filipinos from various churches in Oslo and surrounding environs—Filadelfia International Church (FIC) Chorus, St. Johannes English Choir, Pentecostal Ministry Church of Christ (PMCC) 4th Watch Norway Gospel Choir, Living Word Bible Center (LWBC) soloist Rosemarie Paisano, Jesus is Lord (JIL) Church Norway Chorale, St. Laurentius-Drammen Choir and Ensemble, St. Joseph English Choir, and St. Olav Cathedral’s English Choir—showcased their talent and musicality in a concert featuring a wide array of Christian and Christmas songs.
These choirs were supported by their church leaders, who watched proudly among the crowd. They include Pastor John Angeles of FIC, Fr. Klaes Tande of St. Johannes church, Brother Rommel Apacionado of PMCC 4th Watch Norwa y, Brother Jojo Tuazon of LWBC, Pastor Gilbert Palmero of the JIL Church Norway, Fr. Adam Wroblewski of St. Laurentius-Drammen, Fr. Johan Dumandan of St Fr. Carlo Borromeo Le Hong, Joseph church and Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy, and Phuc of St Olav church.
Since it was also a gift-giving celebration, selected individuals nominated by the choirs were given bags of Christmas and Filipino goodies. This is part of the assistance of the Philippine Government to our overseas Filipinos, the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Migrant Workers Affairs, and the Embassy. There were also raffle prizes such as gift certificates, food baskets, various services, hotel stays, and a round trip Oslo-Manila ticket.
The event also featured a bazaar, where bibingka, sapin-sapin, puto, mamon, siopao, and other mouthwatering Pinoy delicacies, products, and other Christmas favorites were sold by representatives of the choirs.
Apart from showcasing the Filipino brand of Christmas in Norway, Ambassador Fos hoped that the Paskong Pinoy would further strengthen the sense of community among the Filipinos in Norway.
“We hope that the Paskong Pinoy would further strengthen our sense of community and the Embassy´s engagement with all of you, our dear Filipino community. We at the Embassy hope to count on your support as we hold events and in our other programs and initiatives over the next years,” he said.
The Ambassador also recognized the efforts of the more than 200 volunteers who helped in mounting the event together. The organizing committee, including the choir members, ushers, stage management, lights and sounds, documentation, and the bazaar management, were all staffed by volunteers from the Filipino community. The organizing committee also received support from various Filipino-owned companies and Filipino community members in Norway.
“What is also remarkable in this event is not just the sheer number of volunteers, but also the display of Bayanihan spirit, that uniquely Filipino sense of community and volunteerism to achieve a noble purpose. Dear volunteers, I could not name all of you. You know who you are. I am certain that my colleagues at the Embassy and Filipino community join me in expressing our sincerest appreciation to you.,” Ambassador Fos said.
Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs