Pasko 2021
The Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. will be celebrating Pasko 2021, a Christmas festival, Filipino style, on Sunday, December 19, 2021 from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM followed by Simbang Gabi at 7PM. 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.
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 will offer authentic Philippine cuisine and holiday goodies. Merchandise will also be sold by individual Fil-Am businesses in the Tampa Bay Area.
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).
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.
A full live Nativity presentation is also being prepared by Filipino-American volunteers. 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 2021. 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 2021
To minimize health risk due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Pasko 2021 will adhere to CDC and DOH guidelines and will be strictly enforced during the duration of the festival and the succeeding Simbang Gabi:
Pasko 2021 will be hosted by Mindanaoan USA, the newest PCFI member organization. The event is chaired by Vivian Furigay-Dudgeon and co-chaired by Dinah Danao, both representing MUSA. Pasko 2021, however, is a collective endeavor by PCFI, its member organizations and countless volunteers.
For more information about this event, please call (813) 925-1232 or visit us online at www.pcfitampa.org.