The Philippine Embassy, in cooperation with the Bayanihan Council featured six of the best Filipino choirs and musicians of all ages in a spectacular Christmas Chorale Concert in the Year of Zayed entitled: “Paskong Pinoy sa Abu Dhabi” last December 7, Friday at the Abu Dhabi University.
The show was spearheaded by the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Hjayceelyn Quintana to showcase the talent and spirit of Christmas of Filipinos to the UAE. “Indeed, Christmas is the Filipinos’ favorite time of the year. I know of no other occasion that displays the Filipino character and spirit to the fullest other than Christmas. From the food that we eat, the traditions we observe, and the songs that we sing. That’s why we chose this occasion to showcase our culture and identity to our friends in the UAE,” said Quintana.
The Ambassador also thanked the UAE for its gift of hospitality for the Filipinos who live and work here in the UAE: “In the year of Zayed, Paskong Pinoy assumes greater significance as we pay tribute to the founding father of the UAE. In this season of thanksgiving, we say ‘Shukran’ to our Emirati brothers and sisters for the blessing of their wonderful hospitality and good will for the Filipinos in the UAE.”
Celebrating Christmas through Carols
Thousands of Filipinos flocked towards the celebrations that began from 10:00 am and the numbers peaked during the evening celebrations as students from Philippine Emirates Private School (PEPS), The Philippine Global School (TPGS), and The Philippine School (TPS) performed their versions of popular Christmas carols.
Choirs all over the UAE were also invited to perform – the Filipino Christian Church (FCC) Choir, the St. Mary’s Filipino Community Choir (Dubai), and the Abu Dhabi Concert Chorus also sang Christmas medleys and tunes for the Abu Dhabi community.
“A show of this scale, is only possible through the collaboration with our Filipino community. The embassy is grateful for the participation of our Filipino chorale groups in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and for the partnership with the Bayanihan Council, the umbrella group of 67 organizations in Abu Dhabi,” said Quintana as she expressed her words of gratitude to everyone who made the event a resounding success.
Here are the performances:
Joy to the World – The Philippine School (TPS) Woodwind Instrumental Ensemble
Kumukutikutitap – The Philippine Global School (TPGS) Youth Chorale
Pasko Na Sinta Ko – Philippine Emirates Private School (PEPS) Chorus
Hope – Filipino Christian Choir
Kampana ng Simbahan – Abu Dhabi Concert Chorale
Christmas Carol – St. Mary’s Filipino Community Choir
Ang Pasko ay Sumapit – All Choirs
