The Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) will be celebrating “PASKO 2024 – A Philippine Christmas Celebration” on Sunday, December 15th, 2024, from 12:00 Noon to 6:30 PM, followed by a traditional “Simbang Gabi” (Evening or mid-night mass) at 7PM at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa, FL 33626. This indoor family event is open to the public who may want to experience a Philippine Christmas. A donation of no less than $5.00 is required to enter the event with children 5 years and under Military with valid Military ID, join free. Parking will be free except at some designated parking areas where it says “Reserve,” which belongs to the foundation’s major donors.
Delight in PASKO 2024 with a feast of authentic Philippine cuisine and holiday treats from various food vendors. Explore a marketplace featuring an array of unique merchandise from Filipino American businesses within the Tampa Bay Area, including a variety of beautiful Philippine Christmas lanterns called “parol.” Adding a touch of tradition, a spellbinding live Nativity scene, directed by Vivian Furigay-Dudgeon and performed by Filipino-American volunteers, will captivate the audience. The Bayanihan Arts and Events Center will be abuzz with continuous, lively entertainment brought to you by dedicated local artists, including Don Bronto, Ina James, Maribeth Guerrero, Raffy Bleu, Clark Panugalinog, D’Dancing Divas, and others. There will also be performances from PCFI’s resident performing groups, the Philippine Choral Group, the Philippine Performing Arts Company, Indak Pambata, and the Musikong Kawayan Bamboo Ensemble. The emcee for this year’s festivities is the distinguished Emil Inducil Cruz.
Bring your creativity and join the Parol-Making Competition! Show off your traditional Philippine Christmas lantern with a special prize awaiting the most stunning creation.
Spread the joy! Families are welcome to bring gifts for children. Drop your presents at the main tree, and Santa will ensure they’re given to the little ones during the event. There will also be lots of fun and games for the young and the adults.
In keeping up with tradition, a “Simbang Gabi” novena and holy mass will follow at 7 pm right after “PASKO.” “Simbang Gabi” is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practiced by Catholics and Aglipayans (Anglicans) in the Philippines in anticipation of Christmas and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Philippines, the masses are held daily from December 16 to December 24 in the early mornings. In Tampa Bay, two Philippine organizations, the Sto. Nino Shrine USA, Inc. of St. Paul Catholic Church and the Ang Bisaya of Florida have arranged for these daily masses to be held at various locations to complete the nine-day novena masses. Simbang Gabi at PASKO this year is hosted by the Ang Bisaya of Florida and the PCFI Sampaguita Ladies Society.
“PASKO 2024” is hosted this year by the Sampaguita Ladies Society (SLS) headed by SLS Chairman Lissa Malasique-Biglete. For more information and if you would like to showcase your talent at Pasko, please call (813) 925-1232 or (813) 317-5319 or contact us. Please limit your performance to Christmas repertoire only.
 will be celebrating “PASKO 2024 - A Philippine Christmas Celebration” on Sunday, December 15th, 2024, from 12:00 Noon to 6:30 PM, followed by a traditional “Simbang Gabi” (Evening or mid-night mass) at 7PM at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa, FL 33626.){kind=link}