On Dec. 21, more than 200 children and their parents packed the cafeteria of Bessie Carmichael Elementary School to celebrate the annual “Pasko sa SOMA” (Christmas in SOMA) event. The holiday celebration is hosted by the Filipino Education Center and its Galing Bata Afterschool Program, the only K-8 Filipino bicultural after school program in San Francisco.
The decision to ban holding masses in the Philippine Center may very well be a blessing in disguise.
When he flew home two weeks before Christmas, Arnold Barrion knew he could expect a holiday mood in their house in Taguig City, with Christmas decor already set up by his wife and two teenage children. This would be his fourth Christmas vacation in the Philippines since he came to work in Saudi Arabia six years ago.
A Filipino public school teacher is on a mission: to teach the world about the beauty and culture of the Philippines.
Now you don’t have to be in the Philippines to experience the age-old tradition of Simbang Gabi and the iconic food that comes with it—bibingka and puto bumbong (native rice cakes).
As early as September, Alex de Vera and his family had fixed up a Christmas tree in their living room. Like most Christian Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, the de Veras tuck away a Christmas tree ready to be set up for the season.
Our Christmas tree was made of wood, wire and strips of glittering green foil paper.
OFWs and balikbayans returning home for the holidays can now enjoy a more meaningful and convenient Christmas shopping experience as Duty Free Philippines Fiestamall extends its shopping hours to 4 a.m. until December 23.
Raymond Marc tries to fight off tears as he watches a short video. He failed. “Coke has made me cry,” he posts on his Facebook, after watching the 4:27-minute “tearjerker” video of Coca-Cola that is now going viral on the internet.
