BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN. 19 December 2019 – With the aim of spreading joy and the spirit of the holiday season in the midst of the pandemic, the Philippine Embassy held its annual year-end activity for members of the Filipino Community in Brunei Darussalam with an online/virtual celebration of “Paskong Pinoy sa Pasuguan 2020: Sama-sama Tayo Mag-Karoling!” on 19 December 2020 at the Philippine Chancery.

The two-hour long program, streamed live via Post’s official Facebook page, featured a Parol lighting ceremony and a musical extravaganza of Christmas carols performed by Philippine Embassy personnel, the Sentro Rizal Brunei Rondalla Ensemble and invited musical performers from the Filipino community, namely: the Brunei Music Society, the UST Alumni Association in Brunei Family and Friends Chorale and the Filipino Carolers in Brunei.

In his welcome remarks, In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Christopher B. Montero emphasized the significance of Christmas in the lives of Filipinos, which are often expressed and made felt through music. He stated that “While we may not be able to physically get-together and celebrate this season like we did the past previous years, we hope that through this online or virtual celebration, our Filipino Community not only here in the Sultanate but all over the globe, will feel the Christmas spirit and the hope that we will get through these challenging times.”

The performances include musical renditions by the Sentro Rizal Brunei Rondalla Ensemble, a group composed of young students aged 11 to 17 years old from the district of Kuala Belait and using a full set of rondalla instruments; the Brunei Music Society (BMS) - a voluntary, non-profit group that promotes classical music in Brunei since 1972; the Filipino Carolers in Brunei composed mostly of Filipino teachers; and the UST Alumni Association in Brunei Family and Friends Chorale.

The Christmas lantern for the event was made by members of the International Family Organization (IFO), using recycled materials such as plastic water bottles, straws, used cellophane wrappers and cloth materials. An old hula hoop served as the ring of the parol while small vines and leaves from an acacia tree served as decorations.

All the performances rendered during the event received positive online comments and reviews from the Filipino community. It can be viewed at the @PHinBrunei FB page of the Embassy. END

Ambassador Montero leads the countdown for the lighting of the Parol.

Embassy officers and personnel render a performance as a way of thanking the Filipino Community in Brunei Darussalam for their support for the Embassy’s initiatives and programs.