Christmas in Australia more festive, thanks to Filipinos

No place on earth celebrates Christmas like the Philippines.

From the moment I hear people saying, “Pasko na naman” in September, to the sights of festive lights all around us today, I know this is the place to be.

But for those living abroad this season, it’s comforting to know that wherever they are, Christmas is about how they share the season’s joy. 

Filipinos all around the world make a special contribution at this time of year.

Thanks to the steady arrival of Filipino families to Australia over the past fifty years, our summer and Christmas culture is being enriched.

In many Australian suburbs, in western Sydney for example, the parol lanterns shining on home fronts and the plates of food served at Christmas fiestas add warmth to the festive spirit.

And because it is summer time, many Filipinos join their fellow Australians in firing up their barbeques.

Being invited to a Filipino family’s barbeque or lining up at a barbeque food truck is fast becoming one of the season’s highlights for many Aussies.

At food festivals around Australia, when you look for the longest queue, it’s usually at the Pinoy barbeque stall.

On late evenings leading up to Christmas, there are churches in the suburbs that are usually silent but now full of people celebrating the tradition of Simbang Gabi.

And after mass, the community enjoys together fresh baked pandesal, bibingka and other favourites.

These are just some of the traditions the Filipino community has brought to energise modern multicultural Australia.

Of course, there are long-standing Australian traditions that everyone enjoys.

For me, it’s a time for family and a time to slow down.

I enjoy the space to sit down with my Christmas reading list while the sounds of sport plays on the radio.

We go to the beach, packing plenty of sunscreen and shady umbrellas, and eat ice cream and splash in the waves when it all gets too hot.

In Australia’s capital city, Canberra, I feel rewarded by an early morning walk in the bushland and am surrounded by a chorus of birdsong and the chirping drone of cicadas.

These are wonderful moments and I invite readers in the Philippines to visit Australia to experience this themselves.

But what makes Christmas different to any other holiday is that it gives us reason to reflect.

There are themes we all know – irrespective of faith – of love and kindness, and selflessness and gratitude.

This year, I again feel grateful for the opportunity to serve as Australia’s Ambassador in a remarkable country that has so much going for it.

As we unwrap gifts and share meals with our loved ones this season, I encourage you to reflect on the things you can do to shape the world in positive ways.  

These are of course personal choices and reflect each person’s circumstances.

You may be able to support people in need of a helping hand through a donation of your time, money, food or presents for children.

Being generous to others is an Australian value. Around eight out of ten Australians give to charities each year.

And one of the many things I’ve learned here is that giving and sharing is a Philippine trait.

Maligayang Pasko to all readers.