Dec. 17 was a festive night at the Legion Hall in Olds as Filipinos gathered together to celebrate Christmas as a community.
The place was transformed with lots of fun and laughter, games and prizes, music and dancing, along with endless amounts of food. The night proved that truly Christmas is the "feast of all feasts."
Christmas always strikes a chord in the heart of all Filipinos. That is why Filipinos from Olds and neighbouring towns went out of their way and took the time to prepare for this festive night through a bottle drive and extensive sharing.
Everything, from the tiniest amount collected, to the prizes donated, to the tons of food prepared for everyone contributed to this special night. All of these mattered and they were all important, because it was a moment to celebrate and remember the traditions we grew up with.
As soon as the month of "Ber" (September/October) hits the calendar, Filipinos eagerly anticipate Christmas. Slowly, houses become colourful as Christmas lanterns (parol) are hung on all houses.
Cards and personalized gifts are already being prepared - one at a time - and soon after, different carollers appear on the doorsteps of every house.
Those activities all signal that Christmas is near, but the most important one is that families go to church to attend the dawn mass. This event highlights the close-knit ties of every Filipino family.
This is the reason why organizers of the Christmas party came up with the theme: "Nagkakaisang Filipino-Canadian Para sa Tunay na Diwa ng Pasko" (Filipino-Canadians sharing the joy of Christmas). They wanted to share their Christmas experiences with one another and make sure their traditions continue, even here in Canada.
There were lots of fun activities, like the Christmas lantern-making contest, which was open to all.
Participants made their own parol from recycled and household materials. Colourful, handcrafted parol were made from pop cans, straws, even Tim Hortons cups.
The winner of the contest was Viviene. She used pop cans and yogurt bottles in her creation.
It didn't end there. Participants also sang Christmas carols.
During the event, members of the Filipino community thanked all the individuals and establishments that helped them make Canada their new home.
Plaques of appreciation were presented to people and entities that helped Filipinos who came here as foreign workers become permanent residents. One individual who helped Filipinos in this way on a daily basis is Keith Henry Ford (Grandpa Keith).
That night, Filipinos showed that Christmas can be celebrated the Filipino way here in Canada.
