PR-44-2022 
16 December 2022

Pasko sa Melbourne, Dreaming Wyndham Christmas,
Pasko na sa FASTCO

There’s a flurry of merry-making in Melbourne and surrounds in the lead up to Christmas. This is quite expected with such a big Filipino Community of over 95,000 per the latest 2021 Census. The most visible ones supported by Melbourne PCG were Pasko sa Melbourne on 2 December, Dreaming of a Wyndham Christmas on 3 December and Pasko na sa FASTCO on 10 December 2022.

Clockwise from top left: Mila Cichello, head of organizing committee of Pasko sa Melbourne, receives a recognition from Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo and Terry Apines; Oldies-but- still-goodies dancers from PEASER; and the Knoxville Community Choir serenades the audience.

“Pasko sa Melbourne: Alay sa Marinero held at Stella Maris Seafarers Center was organized by volunteers upon the instance of Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo with no budget and only six weeks of preparation. It was born out of the desire of the Filipino Community to celebrate the Filipino spirit of Christmas with others and to also give back a bit to a very good cause – the Filipino seafarers. “They serve in merchant and cruise ships away from land and families, some 295,000 of them at any given time, out in the oceans,” according to her.

At the Christmas event in Wyndham Park the following day, Consul General Salcedo shared her dream of seeing different groups coordinate, if not unite forces. “Others can chip in their ideas, talents and energies, or indeed dot the landscape with a few Pasko events. We love Pasko – Christmas carols, parol or lanterns, simbang gabi, noche buena, family reunions, exchange gifts—the signs are all around us,” she said. The event featured entertainment, games, and Filipino food as the weather turned from cold to very hot on that particular day.

Top: Consul General Salcedo shared her dream of seeing a united Christmas celebration; Below: Councilor Peter Maynard joins guests and the organizing TEAMS.

On 10 December, the Filipino Australian Student Council (FASTCO) celebrated a Christmas event as a reminder of Filipino resilience. “International students like yourselves face tremendous sacrifices to be able to secure a good education and a pathway to a better future and that is why you came to Australia,” Consul General Salcedo said.

She also reminded the students about the Philippine Studies Program at La Trobe University and the willingness of the Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC) to link up with Filipino international students. “Link up with other groups because this is your way to explore programs, projects and other possibilities. Be safe, look after yourselves and look after one another,” she added. END

Counterclockwise from left: Officers of FASTCO present themselves to the guests; FASTCO Officers mingle with guests; and Editor-in-chief Jason Cordi of The Philippine Times joins Consul General Salcedo and Graeme Lade during FASTCO’s merrymaking.