Pasko 2020 to be Celebrated Outdoors
The Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. will be celebrating Pasko 2020, a Christmas festival, Filipino style, on Saturday, December 19, 2020 from 12:00 Noon to 6:30 PM followed by Simbang Gabi at 7PM. Instead of celebrating it indoors, the festival will be held at the Philippine Village (aka PhilFest Grounds) of the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa, FL 33626. This is to minimize health risk amid the Corona virus epidemic, ensuring that the festival is a safe environment for visitors who wish to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season.
Being celebrated outdoors, visitors will have an experience truthful to Philippine Christmas as it is done in the Philippines – town plazas filled with merriment, food and lights as they come out of the churches after Simbang Gabi (Night mass).
At Pasko, food vendors, Filipiniana Philippine Cafe, Mata’s Carinderia and Mercel’s Bakeshop will offer authentic Philippine cuisine and holiday goodies. Merchandise will also be sold by individual Fil-Am businesses in the area.
Non-stop entertainment will be presented at the Sinagtala Theater of the festival site. Entertainment will be presented by volunteer artists in the Tampa Bay Area including PCFI’s resident performing groups, the Philippine Choral Group, Philippine Performing Arts Company, Indak Pambata and the Musikong Kawayan Bamboo Ensemble. Confirmed performers also include Tampa Bay very own Don Bronto, Fr. Aba Villagomeza and the Forever40 Young Sisterhood Dancers. A full live Nativity presentation is also being prepared by the First Baptist Church of Safety Harbor. This year’s emcee will be Emil Inducil Cruz.
Christmas Tree Competition
Just like the previous Christmas festivals, Pasko features a Christmas Tree competition among participating PCFI member organizations. These holiday trees will be on display on each organization’s pavilion and around the festival area.
Parol Competition
Everyone can bring parol (Philippine Christmas lantern). There will be a special prize for the most beautiful parol at the festival.
Gift-Giving with Santa
Family members can bring gifts to children! Just drop your gift at the main tree and Santa will distribute it for them at Pasko.
Simbang Gabi
In keeping up with tradition, a Simbang Gabi novena mass will also be held at the Sinagtala Theater at 7:00PM, right after PASKO 2020. Simbang Gabi is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practiced by Catholics and Aglipayans 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 the Tampa Bay Area, the Sto. Nino Shrine USA, Inc. and Ang Bisaya of Florida have arranged these daily masses to be held at various locations to complete the nine-day novena masses.
Admission
Admission to Pasko is $5.00. Children five years old and under are free.
Parking
Parking at the festival is free at designated parking areas.
Health and Safety at Pasko 2020
To minimize health risk due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Pasko 2020 will adhere to CDC and DOH guidelines and will be strictly enforced during the duration of the festival and the succeeding Simbang Gabi:
- Mark/Face shield required
- Social distancing will be strictly enforced
- Temperature will be checked at the gate entrance
- Individuals who refuse to comply will be asked to vacate the premises
Pasko 2020 is made possible through the joint efforts of PCFI Chairman Lari Judalena Peterson, Pasko 2020 Chairman Vivian Furigay-Dudgeon, and Co-chair Nhick Ramiro Pacis. PCFI Cultural Director Joey Omila is also facilitating communications between PCFI and participating artists, vendors and merchandisers and PCFI member organizations.
For more information about this event, please call (813) 925-1232 or visit us online at www.pcfitampa.org.
