Filipino community in Laois celebrates a colourful Christmas
Joenel Tacardon, Joan Lestor O'Connell, Kristine Cachila, Mariel Llamoe, Michael Ramos and DJ Bone at the Laois Filipino Community Christmas party in The Killeshin Hotel. Photo: Alf Harvey
THE vibrant Filipino community gathered for a colourful Christmas celebration in Portlaoise with traditional native costumes, music, dancing and delicious food at The Killeshin Hotel.
The hotel’s Walnut Suite was beautifully decorated with Filipino designs for the festive occasion on Friday 28 November, organised by the Laois Filipino Community (LFC).
Memorable highlights ranged from fun games for children and adults to prizes for best outfits, while music included a stunning performance of ‘Oh Holy Night’ by Zet Liwag.
Up to 500 people from the Philippines are living in in all corners of the county, with many employed in the community health care sector, engineering and medical professions.
After an informal local gathering of a few Filipino families about five years ago, a committee was formed to support new arrivals in Laois from the Republic of the Philippines.
The small group has grown to become the LFC, a thriving organisation that holds regular meet-ups and social gatherings, exchanging experiences and planning fun family events. The annual Christmas party is one of the main highlights of the community’s busy calendar.
On behalf of the LFC committee, vice-chairperson and paediatric community nurse Mary Villaflor Dobson said on the group’s Facebook page: ‘We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined the celebration. Have a wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year!’
The community also hopes to take part in the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Portlaoise next March, to say ‘thank you and hello’ to the county that has become their home.
