PH EMBASSY IN NAIROBI CELEBRATES YEAR-END FESTIVITIES WITH FILIPINO COMMUNITIES ACROSS EAST AFRICA
The officers and staff of Nairobi PE with the Filipino community in Kenya
NAIROBI, 19 December 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi took part in a series of thanksgiving and year-end celebrations with Filipino communities in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, showcasing the vibrant spirit and solidarity of Filipinos abroad.
On 03 December 2023, the Embassy hosted its annual salu-salo, in collaboration with Filcom-Kenya, an organization of Filipinos based in the country.
Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang, in her remarks, thanked the Filipino community for their unwavering support for the Embassy’s activities throughout the year. She also encouraged the Filipinos in Kenya and other African countries to continue fostering the spirit of community and collaboration.
The celebration commenced with a Thanksgiving Mass led by Fr. Norman Labutan, followed by a salu-salo, a traditional Filipino feast, which featured an array of Filipino delicacies. Adding to the festive atmosphere were Christmas-themed parlor games and a raffle draw, which provided entertainment and excitement for all attendees.
A highlight of the gathering is the Christmas Carol competition, where participants delighted the audience with their beautiful rendition of classic carols, filling the atmosphere with festive cheer. The event also included a Parol-making contest, in which participants created their own versions of Filipino Christmas lanterns, out of recycled materials, showcasing their creativity and environmental awareness.
On 04 December 2023, Ambassador Tang, accompanied by Vice Consul Louie Dane C. Merced and Attaché Sherlyn M. Roxas, joined the Filipino community in Rwanda for a salu-salo hosted by Ms. Rachel Lynn V. Pineda, Philippine Honorary Consul in Kigali. The gathering provided an opportunity for Ambassador Tang to reconnect with Filipinos in Rwanda, following her first visit in 2022, and to address some of their questions and concerns.
Meanwhile, on 10 December 2023, Vice Consul Merced and Attaché Jose D. Aguilera Jr. participated in the year-end gathering of Filipinos in Kampala, Uganda, organized by the Filipino Foundation in Uganda Ltd. (FFUL). The gathering provided an opportunity for Filipinos in Uganda to reconnect with each other, and also share their blessings with the less fortunate.
These gatherings not only celebrated the end of the year, but also reinforced the Filipino diaspora's strong bonds and shared cultural heritage, highlighting their resilience and positive impact within their respective communities. END
From left: Fr. Ronald Espartero, Fr. Norman Labutan, Fr. James Dela Serna and Fr. Deem Virtudazo during the celebration of Thanksgiving Mass
Ambassador Marie Charlotte G. Tang delivers her year-end message for the Filipino community
Participants of Parol-making contest proudly showcased their own creations
Christmas carol contestants delight the audience with their serenades.Team Flaming Lemon (bottom left) wins the grand prize.
Pinoy salu-salo serves a variety of Filipino dishes prepared by the community, including, among others, lechon baboy, chicken and pork adobo, beef tapa, pancit palabok, and bicol express.
Ambassador Tang (seated at the center) with Consul, a.h. Rachel Lynn Pineda and Vice Consul Louie Dane Merced (both seated beside Amb. Tang) with the Filipino community in Rwanda.
Vice Consul Merced and Attaché Jose Aguilera, Jr. join the Filipino community in Uganda in their year-end celebration.
