As a pre-Christmas treat, Parramatta City Council has approved the holding of a Philippine Lantern and Cultural Festival at Parramatta Townhall Forecourt on November 20, 2010. Event organiser Emma de Vera announced that there will be no entry fee.
Official opening ceremonies will start at 11:00 a.m. but several stalls are expected to be ready by 9:00 a.m.
Expect to see very colourful Philippine Christmas lanterns on display. There will in fact be a lantern-making demonstration, from the traditional to the more sophisticated type of ‘Parol.’
It was further announced that the Philippine Department of Tourism (through Tourism Attaché Lito Jones) will make a presentation featuring scenic views in the Philippines, including pristine-white beaches, mountains and volcanoes, among other tourist spots.
As explicitly requested by Parramatta Council, there will be food stalls but stall holders are expected to meet council standards and regulations.
During the day, there will be a special talent quest with valuable prizes to be won. Highlighting the festival will be a street parade along Macquarie Street which will also feature a Filipino ‘Rondalla.’
For more information, send an email to Emma de Vera at
intax@idx.com.au – ?
Its great to see this event in Western Sydney.
However its still worth noting that the vast majority of Australian Filipinos live in Blacktown City.
Therefore its a pity that the event was not located in a Blacktown City venue so it was easily accessed by the majority of Australian Filpinos.
I am sure that Blacktown City Council would welcome and support such an event if it was staged in our city.
God Bless You all this Christmas season.
Cr. Allan Green