The Philippine Community Council of New South Wales (PCC-NSW), with its incumbent President Mr. Cesar Bartolome, spearheaded the 6th Philippine Christmas Festival here in Sydney on 25 – 26 November 2023 at Blacktown Showground. This event was supported by the Philippine Consulate General Sydney, headed by Consul General Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil, which hosted the Opening Ceremony of the Festival in coordination with the Philippine Department of Tourism and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center.
Among the guests and dignitaries were the Philippine Ambassador to Australia H.E. Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega, State Member for Blacktown Hon. Stephen Bali MP, State Member for Riverstone Hon. Warren Kirby MP, State Member for Oatley Hon. Mark Coure MP, Consul General of Vietnam Mr. Nguyen Dang Thang, Consul Chatnopdol Aksornsawad of Royal Thai Consulate General in Sydney, Blacktown City Deputy Mayor Councilor Chris Quilkey, Blacktown City Councilor and NSW Police Chief Inspector Bob Fitzgerald, Blacktown City Councilor Carol Israel, Blacktown City Councilor Moninder Singh, and Campbelltown City Councilor Rey Manoto.
This 2-day event was full of cultural showcases like dancing, singing, and poetry-reading. Of course, the most anticipated Filipino food stalls were also there.
On a quick objective assessment, this year’s Paskuhan was not as popular compared to previous years for apparent reasons: (1) the venue (traditionally, it was held at the heart of city in Tumbalong Park) and (2) the wet weather on Day 1. Last year drew a massive crowd of 121,000 in 2 days compared to this year’s 12,000 guests.
PCC-NSW originally scheduled it at Tumbalong Park; however, the Place Management NSW had to cancel all events in Tumbalong Park scheduled at the latter part of this year due to renovation.
But despite all these challenges, rain or shine, the show went on and the Christmas spirit of “Bayanihan” and Filipinos’ love for music, dance, food, and entertainment prevailed! A massive thank you to all the volunteers, performers, and the officers, members, and affiliates of PCC-NSW!
(Rado Gatchalian was the 2019 VP External President of PCC-NSW. Currently the President of One Pangasinan Association of Australia, which is an affiliate of PCC-NSW. Rado hosted the TULAMBIT (Poetry-Reading Contest) as part of Paskuhan Festival.)
