pressrelease - New York, PCG

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL NEW YORK
PRESS
RELEASE
PR-MDL-122 -2015
US Northeast Fil-Am Community Embraces
Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado for 9 days
Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. and Mrs. Eleanor de Leon (Center) join the Filipino community in celebrating the
4th day of Simbang Gabi co-organized by ANCOP-Couples for Christ led by Mr. Roger Santos (1st from L) and Phil-Am
Group for Aging Seniors in America and UP Alumni Association represented by Ms. Connie Almonte (2nd from L).
New York, 15 December 2015 – Forty seven Filipino community organizations came
together for the celebration of a Filipino Christmas in a nine-day evening mass or
Simbang Gabi held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in Manhattan from 7 to
15 December 2015.
Now on its 28th year, Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado (SGK) reaffirmed the FilipinoAmerican community’s re-connection with its culture and heritage through this unique
Filipino Christmas tradition.
As practised by the community in the past years, each evening commenced with a
recitation of the rosary, a reflection through a 2-minute video of the Panunuluyan,
another Filipino Christmas tradition narrating the search of Mother Mary and St Joseph
for a place to prepare for Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem, and the celebration of the Holy
Mass. A group of second generation Filipino-Americans and their children dramatized
the Panunuluyan on the last day.
The Simbang Gabi also gave an opportunity for Filipino-American community
organizations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania to coordinate,
work and bond together to organize the masses, salu-salo and the program. The
program each evening demonstrated common Filipino rituals during the festive season
of gift giving, community Christmas caroling and dancing.
In his closing remarks on the 9th day, Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. highlighted
that the Simbang Gabi has become an institution that is embraced and honored by the
community. He also acknowledged the community’s faith at work in bringing back the
Simbang Gabi in 2014 after a 2-year hiatus. With this year’s theme “Isapuso ang
Pasko”, he asked the community to “pray to take the spirit of Christmas to heart.”
“May our unity in faith always bind us together, in triumph and trials. May this spirit be
carried throughout the new year 2016 as we, Filipinos represent solidly in America as
an emerging community that is very much welcomed in our second home,” the Consul
General concluded.
Leaders and members of the Filpino-American organizations, who enthusiastically
offered their time and resources, looked forward to next year’s preparation of this joyous
celebration during the holiday season. END
Father Patrick Longalong, the Simbang Gabi adviser, officiates the first Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado which
commenced on 7 December 2015. Twelve member schools of the Coalition of alumni associations headed by Ms.
Vivian Talambiraz Cruz who turns over Baby Jesus to the next day sponsor.
On 8 December, the Filipino community represented by Ms. Nena Smith (5th from R) of Friends Indeed, Philippine
Hearts Hope Society, Red Poinsettia Charitable Foundation and Glambassador Club celebrate the Immaculate
Conception as Father Alex Cruz of St. Elizabeth Hungary Church in Linden, NJ reminds the community of the grace and
submission of the Blessed Mother.
(From L-R) Aileen and Bert Olimpo and Mr. Mario Nieves of Phil-Am Civic Cultural Community of Staten Island
(PACCCSI), Ms. Juliet Payabyab of United Mindorenos International, Ms. Joann Carman of Filipino Social Club of NY,
Mr. Francis Cielo of Ivatan East Coast Assn host the Simbang Gabi on 9 December 2015. Also in the photo are Mrs.
Eleanor de Leon, wife of Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Rev. Fr. Glen Ragsas, Choir leader Ms. Czarina Carbonell Nam and Mr. Alex Esteban
The Philippine Nurses Association New York (PNA-NY) headed by Ms. Cynthia Margalit, PNA- Connecticut led by Mr.
Ophelia Empleo-Fraizer as well as the Philippine Nurses Association of America headed by Ms. Lolit Compas, and the
Masbate Association spearheaded by Ms. Nimfa Tinana-Dy bonded together to sponsor the 5th night of Simbang Gabi
with Fr. Ed Jocson as the celebrant.
The Bayanihan Choir from Union, NJ led by Ms. Liza Galon of Ay Borongan, leads the congregation in songs and
renders Christmas carols during the closing of the mass during the 6th day of Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado.
The 6th day of Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado brought eight community organizations (R-L) headed by Ms. Nelsie
Parrado, President of Handang Tumulong Foundation, Inc.; Mr. Raul Cahigas, President of Association of Filipino
Teachers of America; Ms. Dara Valconcha of Mindanao State University (MSU); (Second Row 5th from R) Ms. Liz Galon,
President of Ay Borongan; (6th from R) Mr. Alex Esteban; and Mr. Hector Espinoza (Second Row 2nd from of L)
President of Federation of Biliran, Leyte and Samar.
National Associations of Filipino Americans and Philippine Folk Arts Society also joins the 6th day Simbang Gabi
represented by Dra. Aida Rivera (3rd from L).
Phil-Am Friendship Committee President Ledy Almadin (2nd from L) receives Baby Jesus from Mr. Michael Pasion of
the Filipino Association of St. Michael Parish. Father Sebastian Bacatan from Weschester County reminds the sponsors
about the humble birth of Jesus. Phil-Am Association of Connecticut President Joseph Battad (1st from L) offers the
symbol of the Simbang Gabi.
Five organizations bring the Kalayaan Hall at full capacity on Saturday, 12 December. United Federation of Fil-Am
Educators and Pan American Concerned Citizen’s Action League President Ms. Lumen Castaneda (Second Row 2nd
from R); Garden State Filipino American Association; Phil-Am Association of CT, Inc.; and Filipino Association of St.
Michael Parish headed by Michael and Divine Pasion (2nd and 3rd from L)
Father Alex Ver (Center) having fun with the Filipino community after the traditional salu-salo.
Msgr.Oscar Aquino reminds that the the ninth day of Simbang Gabi symbolizes the birth of Jesus and his presence
among the community. The Philippine Consulate General New York headed by the Consul General Mario de Leon, Jr.
(center) and Philippine Independence Day Council led by Dr. Prospero Lim (2nd from R) co-sponsor the night. The JCI
Philippines –NY and the Catholic Fellowship re-enacts the Nativity of Jesus before the Holy Mass.
Philippine Airlines represented by Ms. Michelle Narvaez demonstrates its support to the Philippine Consulate General
New York and the Filipino-American community by giving away 1 round trip ticket to Manila during the Salu-Salo.