‘Pasko in America’: 5 Christmas-inspired takeaways
By Angelito Cabigao
Whether you can relate to Disney Christmas’s “From Our Family to Yours” or an Ayala mall Philippine Christmas experience, the December 16, 2023 Pasko in America was a unique event that captured the essence of both. Let’s take a look at five reasons why:
1. Parol.
One of the most recognizable symbols of the Filipino Christmas is the Parol, which is a Christmas lantern. “Pasko in America” contributed to the Parol recognition through the Capiz made lanterns being sold by Parols of America. CEO of “Pasko in America” Fernando Mendez designed paper-made parol given to over 30+ sponsors and exhibitors in recognition of their participation.
2. Mass and Christmas choir.
The Simbang Gabi mass which is usually celebrated at night opened Pasko in America in the morning. The Filipino mass had a Filipino choir singing church and Christmas songs. For those of you who are accustomed to eating food after the Simbang Gabi, there were food trucks — Kapamilya and Twelve Truck — serving Filipino favorites like pandesal and pancit.
3. Filipino American businesses to large global corporations.
American Dream is an entertainment and retail center in East Rutherford, New Jersey that is also known as the second biggest mall in America. “Pasko in America” provided an opportunity for FilAm businesses to showcase their products and services. Pocket Kings BK is a Brookly-based FilAm-owned business that sold a variety of men’s fashion apparel, including unique handmade Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant-inspired jackets. They were sold out during the event. Additionally, other businesses like Gretz Jewelers sold pearls from Palawan while Angelwreaths sold handmade Christmas wreaths. Anyone looking to get some Queso de Bola delivered to their doorstep for the Noche Buena? America’s largest online Asian supermarket, Weee!, was helping audience members sign up to their app. Lastly, large global corporations like New York Life and AARP also took part in the event to showcase their support for the Filipino community.
4. Community Empowerment Awards for the Holidays.
A meaningful moment during the event was awarding organizations engaged in the community during the 2023 holiday season. Their contributions include hosting events that provide toys to children in NYC and the Philippines, parol making classes, food events, providing Filipino American authors like Lynnor Bontigao and Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos a platform for story time reading. Among the outstanding organizations are: Project Barkada, Philippines Fest, The Filipino School of New York and New Jersey, Pinoys of New York, Knights of Rizal of NJ, and the teachers group UNIFFIED.
5. “Here Lies Love” Broadway.
Ten amazing talents from the “Here Lies Love” musical graced the “Pasko in America” stage with performers like Band of Brothers that sang familiar pop tunes and Camille de la Cruz with her original hits. The HLL cast included Arielle Jacobs, Angelo Soriano, Sarah Kay, Roy Flores, Nathan Angelo, Carol Angeli, Danielle Troiano, and Timothy Matthew Flores. Imagine an all Filipino Broadway cast interacting with the UNIFFIED musicians?
How about the all-time favorite Disney song, “A Whole New World,” being performed in Tagalog? And the Christmas song called “Pasko na, My Love” was performed to help fundraise for Broadway Cares? They did all that.
“Pasko in America” in American Dream Mall was a unique event that captured the essence of the Christmas traditions celebrated in the Philippines. Filipinos who could not celebrate Christmas in the Philippines were able to experience it in a popular mall with sentimental Jose Mari Chan music playing in the background.
Let’s continue to celebrate each other during this season. Maligayang Pasko!
(C) The FilAm 2023
