By: Atty. Romulo Rivera

Greetings to everyone! As we welcome the year of the rabbit, believed to be a harbinger of luck and fortune by Feng Sui practitioners, let us try to look back in retrospect about significant events that marked the conclusion of another MFBA colorful year.

As in the usual past, Christmas has become highly commercialized. It has typically become the largest annual economic stimulus for many nations around the world. It was a season where sales of every commodity increased dramatically in almost all retail areas. Shops, from the smallest to the most popular department stores introduced new products as people purchased gifts, wearing apparels, decorations, and supplies – food items being in the forefront. Traditionally, Christmas Day is celebrated as a major festival and public holiday and this varies markedly in form reflecting different cultural and national traditions by countries around the world, including many whose populations are mostly non-Christian who distance themselves from religion with an all-inclusive “Season’s Greetings” or sending messages saying “Happy Holidays”, instead of the traditional ‘Merry Christmas” greetings. To the Christians, Christmas is celebrated every 25th of December, considered to be the birth date of Jesus. The exchanging of gifts is one of the core aspects of the modern Christmas celebration. However, to the kids and ordinary laymen Christmas means receiving and giving of gifts and this starts to run as early as the ‘ber’ months to February by the Chinese.

For MFBA the date of Christmas is not a particular issue but rather, its deeper meaning which is the celebration of the coming of God into the world in the form of man to atone for the sins of humanity. The association held its Christmas party as early as 04 December 2010 and in line with its community and social integration aims, it continued to feel the spirit of the season by sponsoring the evening mass on the 24th of December at the St. George’s Hospital Chapel, assisted the priest and provided the choir. Thereafter, everybody, including the priest was invited to a sumptuous snack to usher in the traditional Filipino Noche Buena.

MFBA has once again proven its mettle with the holding of its own Christmas party amidst heavy snowfall. The Collier’s Wood Community Centre appeared initially as a dismal venue because of the snow chaos that almost paralyzed London’s transport system. However, little by little, the members and guests of diverse cultural backgrounds trickled in and eventually filled the hall at almost Standing Room Only (SRO) capacity. The well organized and careful planning, involvement of the members, team work, dedication, and thorough execution of the project were the main ingredients that spelled the success of the much anticipated occasion. With Mrs Myra Peralta and Mrs Sheila Mujeras Emcees, they wasted no time and started the ball rolling immediately as soon as the participants arrived. After the playing of the Philippine National Anthem and the British Hymn, Pres. Ronald Dalida gave the Opening and Welcome Remarks. He acknowledged the arrival of delegations from the Philippine Embassy in London, headed by its Cultural Officer Ms Cecile Santos. He also welcomed and presented the new members who expressed their continued support to the goals and objectives of the association. The participants in the Program were at their bests in performing their respective acts. As an ice-breaker, a group of parents gave a very surprising dance number.

They proved to one and sundry that Christmas is not only for the young but for the elders as well by involving children as their partners. They painstakingly prepared the kids for the show who, together, displayed their acting and dancing capabilities with precise chemistry and rhythm to the tune of Mariah Carey’s disco version of ‘All I want for Christmas is You’. Their dance number added meaning and significance to the event with their colorful Christmas costumes. The evening was full of surprises as hidden talents were unveiled. Chantel Tabunda, Rhian Reyes and Jessica Olivar, children of MFBA members exhibited their own share with their musical abilities. They entertained the crowd who applauded incessantly with awe shouting and begging for more. A member of the crowd spontaneously commented: ‘Filipinos Got Talent’, and another one said: ‘she has the X-Factor Quality’, as the trio belted out their respective musical renditions. The biggest surprise of the evening was the inaugural presentation of the EKIZ Band composed of: Pres. Ronald (Bass Guitar); George Salonga (Rhythm); Joey Palomeno (Guitar); David Owen Johnson (Drummer); Lenard Abustan, Jess Magdaong and Marlon Reyes (Vocals). Although the group has just been organized few days before Christmas, the sound of their music has already reverberated not only in Mitcham, but as far as the neighboring districts with their invitational participation in Christmas parties and other special events. The newly formed Band is in the thick of preparation for the forthcoming MFBA Valentines’ Party which is scheduled on February 19, 2011.

The Program ended after the distribution of Christmas gifts with Treasurer Cecille Batallones delivering the Closing Remarks. There was no dull moment and those who missed the event missed one Christmas of a lifetime. Foods and drinks brought by the members in the form of ‘pot luck’ were in abundance. Christmas carols were continuously played. Parlor games for the kids, Disco and ballroom dancing in between parts of the program got everybody involved. The members were adamant to end the program as the spirit of Christmas was high and warm despite the big chill that continued to freeze the whole of UK. But as the year has to end, so must the fun and the fellowship. The allotted and limited time for the use of the community centre left the members with no choice but to clean and put the hall back in place singing – Pasko Na Naman, to finally end the evening.

Let us thank and congratulate the organizers and the members who in one way or another contributed to the success of the event. Please continue taking active part in writing the history of MFBA with your involvement. We hope to see you all again on Valentine’s Day.

For more information and updates please visit our website: www.mitchampinoy.com