The Bayanihan Australia Community Network Inc (BACNI) will again spearhead the Yuletide celebration with Pasko sa Nayon. The 6th Pasko sa Nayon is BACNI’s way of presenting to the Australian mainstream how Filipinos celebrate the Yuletide season. It will be held on 2 December 2012, 6pm at the renowned BMW Edge, Federation Square.
“Amid a world of strife, greed, and grief, we must strive to celebrate moments of faith, joy, and hope,” said BACNI Chairperson Mila Cichello. She said the concert is a result of concerted efforts from young and senior Filipino Australian community volunteers who aim to share the Filipino Christmas traditions with families, friends, and mainstream audiences. “The entry price is kept affordable for families and seniors. We thank the donors who assist us pay for the venue, transport, and hire equipment. All the proceeds from ticket sales pay for the cost of producing the event every year,” she said.
The Pasko Concert is the only Filipino event in Melbourne’s cultural calendar. Cichello also added that this year’s celebration is special as the Bayanihan Australia Pasko Committee proudly brings to the audience a fantastic ensemble of generous performers from interstate and across Melbourne.
The following will perform on the night: Rina Benedictos, a classical singer who has performed in Australian musicals, appeared on TV advertisements and released the commercial CD “Solace in Song”; young Melbourne-based singer and songwriter Czarina; violinist Carlos Simeon Argao; two dynamic church choirs, the Sanghimig Choir and the Connect City Church Performing Arts Ministry, and the much loved band from Southeast Melbourne, the Side B Band. The Arise Children’s Group, a children’s singing group, will also do a special presentation.
Julian Belisario is this year’s musical director. Freddie and Clarissa Leong will serve as emcees.
Tickets are at $20 per person. For enquiries and tickets purchase/reservation, contact Mila on 0408-800-288, Francesca on 0418-581-303 or email secretary@bayanihanaustralia.org.
BACNI, a non-profit Filipino Australian organisation based in Melbourne CBD, successfully introduced Filipino Christmas to the public in 2007. The Pasko event has become a remarkable example of Filipinos and Australians partnering in bayanihan spirit: the BACNI organising committee, Pasko production team and cast of community performers are all volunteers.
The group led a series of community discussions that highlighted community issues in aged care, youth programs, family support, settlement services and responsible leadership that will carry through future generations. The founding members committed to promote Filipino values, build Australia as their home and embrace other migrants as fellow citizens. BACNI’s vision is to foster strong community partnerships that deliver benefits to the Filipino Australian community.
Visit BACNI’s website at bayanihanaustralia.org.
