Yuletide in Athens
Yuletide in Athens
By: Yoko Ramos-Vingno
Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. It is a time where people are extra nice and warm, cheerful and friendly! Christmas never ceased to fascinate me ever since I was a child – me feeling as if there was something in the air that makes the season magical, with chestnuts roasting and the smell wafting in the air, shimmering lights making Christmas trees so alive and Christmas carols played, heard and sung almost everywhere in every household and department stores where most likely you will be greeted by the ubiquitous, avuncular and most generous Santa Claus with his familiar ho ho ho ho laugh.
I remember vividly our annual trips to the Araneta Center at Quezon City to watch Christmas shows that became a family tradition. I recall my brother and me together with my cousins as small children watching solemnly and in awe the re-enactment of the three Magi following the big star that led them to the manger where the Blessed Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ which was the highlight of the show. Then into our teens our parents stopped bringing us there and the family tradition changed into a gathering at my grandmother’s house to celebrate Christmas with her.
I miss Christmas celebration in the Philippines. It is so very much alive that I actually miss the sight of children going from house to house singing carols. I miss the Christmas lanterns that decorate almost every house in the place where I grew up. I miss the nice Christmas trees that parents and children decorate together as early as November. Unlike in other countries, Christmas celebration in the Philippines is a long one that starts as early as October and gradually increasing in intensity until the actual day itself on December 25 where the first thing we do upon waking up is to go to the family Christmas tree to see what Santa Claus brought us the night before. Excitedly we open the Christmas presents that Santa dropped while we were asleep and even curious what Santa gave to my brother and cousins.
Here in Athens, the Philippine Embassy together with the Filipino community recently concluded their celebration of Christmas on 13 December 2009 adopting the theme “Paskong Pinoy ’09: Pasko’y kay saya, Kung tayo’y sama-sama,” in observance of the Philippine tradition. The whole day event took place at the Philippine Embassy grounds where the heart of the celebration centered on the children who gave startling performances of songs and dances. Both kids and adults participated in the parlor games.
The students of the Philippine School in Greece performed a re-enactment of the nativity. The Candonian City Ladies Association, as well as the Philippine Overseas Society sang and serenaded the guests with several numbers of Christmas songs. The Couples for Christ and its Family Ministries also took part and even rendered songs for the guests.
The visitors then partook of the Filipino food which the embassy and the Filipino community prepared and cooked.
Joining in the merriment were members of the embassy led by His Excellency Ambassador Rigoberto D. Tiglao who delivered his Christmas message and Consul General Constancio R Vingno, Jr. who welcomed the participants
The celebration ended with everybody singing “Ang pasko ay Sumapit” to cap a wonderful Christmas celebration in the land of Athina.
By: Yoko Ramos-Vingno
Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. It is a time where people are extra nice and warm, cheerful and friendly! Christmas never ceased to fascinate me ever since I was a child – me feeling as if there was something in the air that makes the season magical, with chestnuts roasting and the smell wafting in the air, shimmering lights making Christmas trees so alive and Christmas carols played, heard and sung almost everywhere in every household and department stores where most likely you will be greeted by the ubiquitous, avuncular and most generous Santa Claus with his familiar ho ho ho ho laugh.
I remember vividly our annual trips to the Araneta Center at Quezon City to watch Christmas shows that became a family tradition. I recall my brother and me together with my cousins as small children watching solemnly and in awe the re-enactment of the three Magi following the big star that led them to the manger where the Blessed Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ which was the highlight of the show. Then into our teens our parents stopped bringing us there and the family tradition changed into a gathering at my grandmother’s house to celebrate Christmas with her.
I miss Christmas celebration in the Philippines. It is so very much alive that I actually miss the sight of children going from house to house singing carols. I miss the Christmas lanterns that decorate almost every house in the place where I grew up. I miss the nice Christmas trees that parents and children decorate together as early as November. Unlike in other countries, Christmas celebration in the Philippines is a long one that starts as early as October and gradually increasing in intensity until the actual day itself on December 25 where the first thing we do upon waking up is to go to the family Christmas tree to see what Santa Claus brought us the night before. Excitedly we open the Christmas presents that Santa dropped while we were asleep and even curious what Santa gave to my brother and cousins.
Here in Athens, the Philippine Embassy together with the Filipino community recently concluded their celebration of Christmas on 13 December 2009 adopting the theme “Paskong Pinoy ’09: Pasko’y kay saya, Kung tayo’y sama-sama,” in observance of the Philippine tradition. The whole day event took place at the Philippine Embassy grounds where the heart of the celebration centered on the children who gave startling performances of songs and dances. Both kids and adults participated in the parlor games.
The students of the Philippine School in Greece performed a re-enactment of the nativity. The Candonian City Ladies Association, as well as the Philippine Overseas Society sang and serenaded the guests with several numbers of Christmas songs. The Couples for Christ and its Family Ministries also took part and even rendered songs for the guests.
The visitors then partook of the Filipino food which the embassy and the Filipino community prepared and cooked.
Joining in the merriment were members of the embassy led by His Excellency Ambassador Rigoberto D. Tiglao who delivered his Christmas message and Consul General Constancio R Vingno, Jr. who welcomed the participants
The celebration ended with everybody singing “Ang pasko ay Sumapit” to cap a wonderful Christmas celebration in the land of Athina.
posted by Yoko Ramos @ 8:41 AM
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