16 December 2019, Calgary – The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary, in cooperation with five Filipino community organizations and a not-for-profit organization, led the Christmas celebration of the Filipino community in Calgary on 15 December 2019 at the Marlborough Park Community Center.

Serving as the PCG’s event co-organizers were the Philippine Cultural Centre Foundation (PCCF), Tamaraw Seniors Club of Calgary (TSCC), Golden Generation Seniors Club (GGSC), Young Once Seniors Association of Calgary (YOSAC), New Canadian Seniors Association of Calgary (New CASA) and Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA). CIWA runs a Filipino Community Development Program.

The estimated 230 Filipinos who came to the three-hour celebration were treated to Filipino food as well as Christmas carols, solo renditions and dances. One of the highlights of the event was the announcement of winners of the parol (Christmas lantern) making contest who made use of indigenous and recycled materials.

Consul General Zaldy Patron, in his remarks, conveyed the PCG’s Christmas greetings to the community and thanked the partner organizations, performers and volunteers that collaborated with the PCG in organizing the event. He said that the event served as a “coming together” of the Filipino community to celebrate the Christmas season.

He shared with the community the major accomplishments of the PCG in 2019 in terms of delivering consular services and in implementing cultural and economic diplomacy projects.