BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN. 16 December 2019. The Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam organized its annual year-end gathering with members of the Filipino Community dubbed “Pasko sa Pasuguan 2019” on 13 December 2019. The event was held within the premises of the Chancery and attended by more than four hundred (400) guests.
The two-hour long program featured the announcement of the winners for the Parol-making competition, performances by Embassy personnel, invited musical performers/bands from the Filipino community, and a dance number by the official mascots of Jollibee.
The parol-making competition was participated in by a total of nineteen (19) Filipino associations/organizations. The Christmas lanterns showcased Filipino artistry and ingenuity through the use of recycled materials. All the entries adorned the Embassy’s Consular section for a week, and were lighted in full display at the stage during the program, adding to the overall festive trimmings of the event.
The parol submitted by the International Family Organization (IFO) bested all entries and emerged with as Best Parol that included a cash prize from LBC Express Inc. and gift certificates from Jollibee-Brunei. The other winning entries were:
- First Runner-Up - Overseas Filipinos Workers Global Movement for Empowerment, Inc. (OFWGME) (with cash prize from the Office of the Defense and Armed Forces Attache and gift certificates from Jollibee-Brunei)
- Second Runner Up - Guardians Socialite Society Incorporated (GSSI) (with cash prize from Embassy personnel and gift certificates from Jollibee-Brunei). The entry was also voted as the People’s Choice Award for garnering the most number of votes from consular clients of the Embassy.
All the other groups that submitted entries in the Parol-Making contest received a cash prize, a gift basket and a certificate of appreciation from the Embassy.
Another highlight of the event was the surprise dance performance of the whole cast of “Jollibee and Friends (Yum, Popo, Twirlie and Hetty)” which marked only the second time that the entire cast of Jollibee mascots rendered a performance in Brunei since the top Filipino food corporation established its first store in the Sultanate in 1987.
Other Filipino musical groups, including a rondalla group of young students from the district of Kuala Belait, also rendered performances of traditional Filipino songs and Christmas carols.
In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador Christopher B. Montero emphasized the significance of Christmas in the lives of Filipinos, and assured that the Embassy, as the permanent home of all Filipinos in Brunei Darussalam, will always open its doors to celebrate the spirit of the season.
After the program, guests were treated to Philippine traditional dishes and delicacies such as pancit canton, fried chicken, beef caldereta, and rice delicacies puto, cassava cake, pichi-pichi, among others. The young guests were also treated to a Jollibee chicken-strips meal.
The attendees expressed their appreciation to the Embassy for organizing the event, and for bringing the Christmas spirit alive within the Filipino community. END
Philippine Embassy personnel, led by Ambassador Christopher B. Montero, render Christmas Carols for the guests.
