GIFT-GIVERS CAME TO TOWN ( PENRITH )

Filipinos celebrate Christmas in a festive setting leaving no room for Scrooges. PASKO NA NAMAN is an annual variety show to encourage everyone to sway to the tunes, try a few dance steps on the floor, clap with glee, and shout Merry Christmas to all. It is a volunteer community celebration including seasoned musical artists and dancers with performers of all ages and backgrounds.

Performers offered their talents and skills as gifts to the community. Christmas cheer was truly present. We thank all the performers and organisers for being true ‘Gift Givers’ at this PASKO NA NAMAN 2010: Music enchanted the crowd to dance and sing throughout the day:

-The band BARKADA ni EDGAR featured Edgar Bernal (Owner/Base Guitar/Vocals); Eddie Gutierrez (Lead Guitar); Mila Gutierrez ( Rhythm Guitar/ Vocals); Ailene Pimentel ( Keyboard); Martin Pimentel ( Drums), Mike Pimentel and Ross Rosales (Vocals) which played rock & roll from the 50's, 60's and 70's and OPM favourites. - Australia’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist Bobby Harrison, a regular PASKO NA NAMAN performer, continued to amaze with his favourite tunes Sway and Feliz Natividad. Bobby plays the trumpet, violin, piano, banduria, saxophone, drums, guitar and the euphonium. He is a member of the Schools State Concert, Ensemble Band, Jazz Band.

- Joven & Friends Rondalla, a small group of rondalla players, performed Bahay Kubo to share what they have learnt during Banduria lessons with Master Joven Estigoy.

A sensational display of modern dances and cultural performances that created a nostalgic ambience: - The students of the Penrith Community Filipino School, under the guidance of Principal-Choreographer Marie Bandayrel,performed their Singkil.

- PLCAA Cultural Dancers Aurora Valencia , Bing Valencia , Divina Ibarra, Lionel Laserna, together with Dr. Alexis Leones and Dodee Leones delighted the crowd with their Timawa Dance.

- Award-winning Albert Dimarucut and Brian Lorenz Babon enchanted the crowd with their dynamic Latin dance.

- Rene, Ruth and Friends powered the whole hall with their Bachatta dancing beat. Rene and Ruth Uy regularly teach the group salsa, rumba, cha-cha, rock n roll, new voque and many more styles.

- Tanya Reibel shared her love for dancing with a self-choreographed contemporary jazz number. Tanya is completing Year 12 at St. Marys Senior High School and loves to perform Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Lyrical.

- The Philippine Community Council of New South Wales rendered their popular Nobody and You Are My Number One dance with impromptu participation by the Penrith City Councillors Greg Davies, Prue Guillaume, Tanya Davies, and John Thain and Sydney Australia Filipino Seniors Inc (SAFSI) President Jules Sanchez, PLCAA President Evelyn Esguerra and PLCAA Immediate Past President Dr. Alexis Leones.

- SAFSI prepared a ballroom dance number and a cultural dance Pandanggo sa Ilaw with President Mr. Jules Sanchez. SAFSI has become an integral part of celebrating Philippine culture.

- A real treat that added glitter to the entertainment was the PLCAA Modern Dancers Marie Bandayrel, Beth Alcantara, Rhoda David, Carol Gill and Imee Summerfield who bounced with sexy moves to Beyonce ‘s Single Ladies.

PASKO NA NAMAN always boasts singing performances of varied styles and tunes: - The students of the Penrith Community Filipino School , under the tutelage of Loy Tagudin, sang Pasko Na Naman as the opening number and Pasko Anong Saya.

- The PLCAA Glee Club sang a popular Christmas carol Noche Buena and the song finale Pasko Na Naman.

- Multi-talented Clarissa Bock, a regular cast of PASKO NA NAMAN, is a member of the Blacktown City Community Band playing the saxophone, piano, clarinet and guitar. She is a finalist of the Filipino Australian Talent Quest and Musical Australian Talent Show.

- Nine-year old Isabelle Montillano delighted everybody with her energetic performance. Isabelle won second prize in the Talent Quest of Agape Christian Church; was the lead singer of the Children Ministry at El Shaddai’s 25th anniversary in the Philippines and won first runner-up at the Young Ambassadors competiton in 2009.

- Joshua Montillano (aka ‘Smooth’) performed his original rap composition to the enjoyment of everybody. He performed an impressive rendition of Eminem and Rihanna’s Love the Way you Lie which he presented at the Emmaus College 2010 Showcase. -Marilyn Mendez was a real trouper . An entertainer and performer, she is no stranger to the stage and her smooth jazzy voice thrilled the audience. . She has gone from Canberra gigs to open shows for bands and big name stars like Al Martino, Cleo Laine, Blood Sweat and Tears, just to name a few. She performed regularly at clubs like the Wentworth Sheraton, The Mandarin Club, and the Bourbon and Beefsteak Bar. She has also performed with jazz aficionados like Col Nolan, George Golla and James Morrison. She has appeared on the Midday Show with Ray Martin; at the Don Burrows Supper Club on the ABC; and has also appeared for the popular Nelson Jazz Festival in NZ. Her recordings have been played on ABC radio and she continues to thrill club audiences around Sydney.

- PLCAA’s very own seasoned performer, Jun Rayco, delighted the audience with an impromptu duet with Marylin Mendez. A known baritone/bass 2 singer, Jun volunteered to promote Philippine culture and heritage through the PLCAA Glee Club. He was a member of the Redemptorist Senior Choir for almost 10 years and sung in the mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in the Philippines in 1981. He was a member of the Metropolitan Theater Chorus (Metchorus Manila) in 1979-1981. He was a member of the Philippine Tourism Chorale in 1982-1987 and performed concert tours in USA West in 1985. Jun formed the Filipino band in Sydney known as the Manila Rhythm Band who performed from 1989-1991. He is a member of the Rondalla choir serving GOD on Sunday masses.

- The charming mother and daughter team, Carol and Catherine Gill, again won the hearts of the PASKO NA NAMAN audience with their passion for Irish and Filipino music and entertainment.. Many thanks to the PLCAA organising committee chaired by Danny Rosales and joined by Marie Bandayrel, Maya Ibarra, Lionel Laserna, Andy Porral, Dodee Leones and Larry Capco for orchestrating a dramatic PASKO NA NAMAN for the community . The stage created an impressive backdrop with decorations, lights and a live band. Our MCs continued to keep up the spirit with Ross Rosales and Maya Ibarra supported by BARKADA’s Dorothy Leones and Mitchel Bandayrel. PASKO NA NAMAN has made a mark in the Filipino community’s annual festivities, being celebrated on the last Saturday of November. PLCAA brings the utmost enthusiasm and ingenuity of its members in providing the best entertainment and Christmas celebration for the whole family.

As MC Ross Rosales emphasised to the crowd “this is PLCAA’s gift to you all”. Penrith City Mayor Cr. Kevin Crameri and Consul Anthony Reyes congratulated PLCAA , all performers and participants for a great entertainment. The food and variety stalls at different corners of the St. Marys Senior Citizens Centre made PASKO NA NAMAN a real Christmas festival.

To all the people who came and celebrated, this festival is yours and will always be. PASKO NA NAMAN will always be remembered and anticipated to be better each year.