Wow! Despite the extremely cold and snowy night on Dec. 15, a huge group of
Filipinos in the Greater Madison area and their families and friends gathered at the
Fitchburg Community Center to celebrate the most important and happiest Filipino
occasion of the year — Pasko or Christmas!
A tradition that Filipinos everywhere cannot do without, Christmas is not only a
special time for children, who expect lots of toys from Santa Claus, their moms and
dads, and their godparents (Ninongs and Ninangs); but it is also a special time to
reflect on the year’s events in one’s life, a time to forgive and atone for one’s
shortcomings; a time to give love and share blessings; a time to thank and praise God
for the birth of Jesus Christ; and a time to be with loved ones and the community.
The Philippine American Association of Madison and Neighboring Areas (PAMANA)
brings this tradition to life year after year, and shares it with others, for them to
understand and appreciate a big part of the Filipino culture.
Filipinos in the Greater Madison area and their families and friends gathered at the
Fitchburg Community Center to celebrate the most important and happiest Filipino
occasion of the year — Pasko or Christmas!
A tradition that Filipinos everywhere cannot do without, Christmas is not only a
special time for children, who expect lots of toys from Santa Claus, their moms and
dads, and their godparents (Ninongs and Ninangs); but it is also a special time to
reflect on the year’s events in one’s life, a time to forgive and atone for one’s
shortcomings; a time to give love and share blessings; a time to thank and praise God
for the birth of Jesus Christ; and a time to be with loved ones and the community.
The Philippine American Association of Madison and Neighboring Areas (PAMANA)
brings this tradition to life year after year, and shares it with others, for them to
understand and appreciate a big part of the Filipino culture.
(Clockwise from top right) PAMANA Pres. Ed
Escall and wife Nieva; Santa Claus (Rollie Couey)
distributes gifts to smiling kids; PAMANA’s next
president, Cora Holloway, cooked lots of Filipino
dishes; Agnes Cammer checks out the auction
items; Ed Escall (r) with the Giordan Family; huge
crowd enjoying each other’s company; a boy
dances to a modern beat; (l-r) Carmel Capati, Yer
Vang, and Agnes Cammer.
Escall and wife Nieva; Santa Claus (Rollie Couey)
distributes gifts to smiling kids; PAMANA’s next
president, Cora Holloway, cooked lots of Filipino
dishes; Agnes Cammer checks out the auction
items; Ed Escall (r) with the Giordan Family; huge
crowd enjoying each other’s company; a boy
dances to a modern beat; (l-r) Carmel Capati, Yer
Vang, and Agnes Cammer.
Philippine American
Association of Madison
& Neighboring Areas
Maligayang Pasko!
Association of Madison
& Neighboring Areas
Maligayang Pasko!
by Heidi M. Pascual