Colourful prelude to Christmas by Jaime K. Pimentel

The first-ever Filipino Lantern Festival, to be held in Parramatta on Saturday, November 20, paints a colourful picture of Christmas in the Philippines, a country known for celebrating the longest yuletide season on earth.

”Parramatta Council has recognised this, and has opened its heart in the central business district to share Filipino fare to its citizens,” said the festival’s chief organiser Emma de Vera.

”The Christmas lantern in the form of a star has been the Filipinos’ most cherished symbol of yuletide celebrations, so we chose to highlight it as the title of our festival.”

Some streets will be closed to traffic for a street parade, followed by Christmas choir singing, a lantern-making and competition, food stalls, gift stall, sports demonstrations, a talent quest, buskers, and other Filipino cultural activities that ring approaching Christmas.

”There will be many Filipino migrants who will come in their colourful native costumes,” Mrs de Vera said. ”The unique feature of this festival is that there are no admission fees or tickets. The public can enjoy the sights and sound for free.”

People who may wish to contribute acts or special cultural activities to the festival may contact Mrs de Vera on 0410 356 838 or Menchie Maneze, 0411 679944. – ?

Updated: 2010-11-13 — 03:43:17