Page 20 - 2017 JUL -DEC KAAKBAY

20 July to December
2017

Parol Lighting Kicks Off Simbang Gabi 2017 Starts in New York
“Paskong Pilipino 2017” in New York;
PNP Chief De La Rosa Leads Special Guests The annual Simbang
Gabi sa Konsulado commenced
on 5 December 2017 at the
Philippine Center in New York.

Running for close to
three decades, the Simbang
Gabi sa Konsulado is one of the
most anticipated events in the
Northeast Filipino-American
Community calendar.

The Kayumanggi Chorale performs seasonal songs at the Parol Lighting at the Philippine Spearheaded by the
Center New York. Philippine Consulate General and participated in by
numerous Filipino-Community organizations, the
The Philippine Consulate General in New York launched Simbang Gabi aims to provide the greater overseas
“Paskong Pilipino” on 5 December 2017 at the Philippine Center with community with the experience of Philippine yuletide
a Parol Lighting Ceremony participated in by a capacity audience traditions overseas.
from the Filipino-American Community.
This year’s Simbang Gabi takes places from
Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed guests 5 to 13 December 2017 and has as co-sponsors 69
to the parol lighting and invited them to take part in the December Filipino-American Community associations and
activities of the Consulate including the 9-day Simbang Gabi sa Philippine government agencies, a record year for the
Konsulado from 5-13 December 2017. “This is our way of bringing activity.
some of the traditions, sights, sounds, and flavors of the Philippine
Christmas season to our kababayans overseas,” she added. In welcoming guests to the 2017 edition of
the Simbang Gabi, Consul General Theresa Dizon-De
Vega noted that while the 9-day novena mass and the
festive salu-salo after are much-loved Philippine
traditions, it is the Consulate’s hope that each year,
participants will also feel a renewed sense of
commitment and community.

Special Guest Philippine National Police Director General Special Guest Philippine National Police
Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa was on hand to deliver a message of hope Director General Ronald Dela Rosa thanked the
and a request for prayers and support for the men and women of the Community for the opportunity to share in the
Philippine police force at the lighting ceremony. He assured the commemoration of this tradition and asked for prayers
community members that the Philippine National Police will do its for the men and women in uniform back home in the
utmost to keep their families and loved ones safe back in the Philippines. He likewise assured the overseas
Philippines. community that the Philippine National Police would
do its utmost to ensure the safety of their loved ones
Several parols donated by the cities of Angeles and San in the Philippines.
Fernando in Pampanga Province, famous for exquisitely made
Christmas lanterns, were lit to the delight of Filipinos spending (Continue to page 21)
Christmas far from their families and friends in the Philippines.

A bahay kubo (nipa hut)
festooned with mini parols and
donated by the Ay, Borongan
Association of Samar was likewise
set up at the Philippine Center Lobby
Gallery to add to the festive
atmosphere.

The Kayumanggi Chorale Fr. Patrick Longalong celebrates mass on the first night of Simbang
based in New Jersey sang Philippine
General Ronald Dela Rosa delivers a Christmas carols, further adding to
yuletide message of hope and the significance of the event.
understanding to the Filipino-American
Community.