The response to the invitation to celebrate Paskong Pinoy 2024 was beyond all expectations. Both the Teatro Santo Domingo and the Palestra San Domenico Savio were simultaneously filled to capacity. While the youths were having their bandfest in the Theater, the oldies and the younger ones were enjoying the food booths competition in the Palestra. The rains that came did not dampen the Christmas spirit that was in the air.
Paskong Pinoy refers to the Filipino celebration of Christmas characterized by unique traditions, customs and festive practices that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines. It was indeed a vibrant and joyful celebration that highlighted the importance of faith, family, and community in Filipino culture. Despite all the odds, the Filipino Community of San Lorenzo (FCSL) was able to realize this through careful planning and collaboration.
The Food Booth Competition began in earnest as 12:30 pm signalled the entrance into the Palestra. Pinoy creativity is everywhere. Each participating group tried their best to build from scratch a booth that mirrors a European country wherein Pinoys are found today. This was done through decorations, costumes, and culinary specialties from that particular country. After two hours the judges came and gave their verdict regarding which was the best booth. After that, anyone can come and fill their need from any booth they want. The generosity of the booth owners to give out their Christmas specialties is truly amazing.
An integral part of the Food Booth Competition was the Parol Making Contest. All the parols were prepared by other group members ahead of time and were placed in a prominent position in their booth. All parols are to be made from recycled materials and the cost of production should be less than €50.
Aside from the recycled Parols , every booth also has a Muse that is dressed up either in Filipiniana attire or in an attire proper of the country that they are representing. These muses posed first before their own booths, and then did the catwalk in the Teatro just before the Bandfest began.
While all these is going on, the cumbancheros, or children dressed in christmas costumes, went carolling from one booth to another. And the traditional pamasko is given to them.
In the meantime, the Teatro Santo Domingo is being prepared for the youth bandfest dubbed “Banda Rito, Banda Roon! Makisaya kasama ang buong Europa!” A professional sound system supporting both singers and instrumentalists was hired. Stage decorations prepared by Mr. Joel Salinel , Mr. Elbert Benliro, and the FCSL Volunteers gave the program a very festive atmosphere. And the able emceeing of Ms. Precious Pangan rendered flawless the program designed by Mr. Nardz Alcaraz.

The first part opened at 3:00 pm with the FCSL Choir singing the National Anthems of both the Philippines and Italy. “The Prayer” led by the FCGS (Filipino Community of Gesù Salvatore) youth served as the doxology. The community was welcomed by FCSL Coordinator, Ms. Marina Bautista and then Consul General Elmer Cato gave the keynote address. Fr. Bong Osial was visibly surprised by the FCSL Volunteers because they gave him a very short but fitting tribute on the occasion of his 33rd priestly ordination anniversary.
The cold winter atmosphere was warmed by the catwalk done by the Muses. Then the youth bands wowed the crowds with stellar performances rendered by the Missionary Families of Christ (MFC) youth band, St. Margaret Mary Music Studio/Keno Garcia Talent (SMS/KGT) band, Magnetic Crayons, Infinity Band, Knights of the Altar band. Not to be outdone, the once young and foever young in heart, Ms. Mely Darantinao, declaimed an oiriginal poem.
The second part of the program began with the Panunuluyan, a modern presentation of the rejection of the child Jesus as experienced through the lives of the Overseas Flipino Workers. The presentation, prepared by Ms Emma Hernandez, Ms. Brigette Culing and Ms. Irenea Sahagun, featured the FCSL youth as Photo Frames while the FCSL Volunteers make a Radio Play of this Christmas episode.
Then all 50 cumbancheros carolled the assembly all at the same time. They sang and danced lively Christmas carols in Tagalog, English and Italian to the delight of the audience. One could really declare: “They have stolen the show.”
Among the other performers for the night were the MIM-the Original and two youths from FCGS who both sang beautifully, Ms. Andrea Caseserano and Ms. Shannen Diaz. The other children from SMS/KGT who were not band members also danced on stage.
To top it all, three winners claimed the top prizes of an air fryer, laptop computer, and a 55-inch flat screen TV. Lots of others went home with consolation prizes.
Even though the program was cut short because there was a Mass that was to be celebrated in Church, people had gone home content and happy. The last Paskong Pinoy happened eactly 10 years ago in 2014. Today we can say that people were thristing for it and we have successfully reformatted and rebooted the Paskong Pinoy.