PRETORIA - More than 200 Filipinos flocked to Pretoria for the year-end gathering which the Embassy of the Philippines in South Africa organized on 1 December 2024 at the Moonshot Cafe in Waterkloof Glen.
The gathering has been an annual tradition of the Embassy which seeks tofoster camaraderie and unity among the members of the vibrant and dynamic Filipino community in South Africa and neighboring countries.
In her remarks, Ambassador Noralyn Jubaira Baja updated the community on the Embassy’s banner activities and initiatives in 2024 such as the transfer of the Chancery to a more suitable property and location, holding of consular outreach missions and town hall meetings within South Africa and neighboring countries, and the conduct of the inaugural Philippine film festival. She reiterated that the Embassy would continue to look for ways to better serve its Filipino constituents and the general public.
Much to the delight of Filipinos, this year’s edition adopted a 1970s theme. Many Filipinos came to the event dressed in stylish attire that took inspiration from the fashion trends of the era.
Foreign spouses, friends and guests of Filipinos also got a taste of how Christmas is celebrated the Filipino way. In true Filipino fashion, guests bonded over food and merrymaking. The program was filled with musical and dance numbers by Filipino groups, parlor games, raffle prizes, and “fun awards” to spread Christmas cheer.
The program was capped by the time-honored exchange of gifts and community singing and dancing to popular 70s music.
