Do you believe in first time lucky? Without a shadow of a doubt, our first ever Christmas party was indeed a first time lucky one. It came out with our first ever MFBA magazine, first MFBA jingle song performed on the stage, first ever big event and first ever MFBA Christmas party. Obviously, there is a great difference between a Christmas party for children and grown-ups but there’s also a big difference between a small family and a big family where we considered our Christmas party was no difference but one huge family Christmas party.  Before we truly begin I would like expressing a little bit of facts about Christmas. The Christmas festival originated in the 4th century as a Christian substitute for pagan celebrations of the winter solstice many years before the Christ child was born. 25th December is first mentioned as the birth date of Jesus Christ in 336 AD in an early Roman calendar. The word Christmas is derived from an early English phrase 'Cristes maesse', that means 'Mass of Christ'. Christmas celebrates humanity and mankind and conveys message of love, tolerance and brotherhood. It is celebrated on the 25th December, the date when Jesus Christ was born. Though Christmas is considered to be the primary festival of the Christian calendar.“ Oops hang on a minute! Where’s the MFBA party gone?” all right mate!!! But on this day the 12th of December 2009 it was our very own organisation of the whole MFBA first ever Christmas party which really makes history and memorable one where people say first cut is the deepest.

We celebrated our party at Merton Hall, 76 Kingston Road Wimbledon with a total capacity of 250 people with complete facilities which include stage production, kitchen, bar area, children’s party room etc. Christmas decoration is one of our projects on that evening. We decorated the whole party hall from 4pm till 6pm with the help of MFBA officers, members and volunteers. Christmas tree is amongst the top decorations, we are really proud of it brought by Lou Pearce our Assistant Treasurer which was the centerpiece of the hall on that evening completed with flower design on the stage that are laced with dazzling red ribbons, Christmas ornaments, twinkling red lights, Christmas bells and balls matching with our very own Santa Clause compliment by Mandy Jualo which makes the entire party hall a true vibrant and full of the festive Christmas spirit.

We finished putting the decorations at around 6pm then eventually the party have started with the opening remarks of our very own President Ronald Dalida “I am amazed to see a huge crowd like this one tonight, thank you for your support, without you this would not be made possible. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New year to you all”. Then followed by Christmas party games for young children lead by our very enthusiastic MFBA Vice President External Affairs Andrea Colquhoun and it was really enjoyable where all the children gathers and participated the competitions which include sing the Christmas carol”, bring me something, rally races, freeze games, treasure hunt and almost endless of Christmas party games with full of surprises comes with gifts and prizes from our Santa Clause and not only for the winners but to all children who participated.

Whilst enjoying the acts and waiting for the arrival of guest speakers, I noticed that everybody were busy chattering, knowing each other, taking memorable photos, and I was also assigned to take pictures on that night, people are eating and drinking and just so wonderful that everyone’s happy and I felt the real Christmas spirit in the entire hall. It was just amazing to be there on that very night and I said to myself that I’m just very proud to be part of this association of what we can achieve in such a short time.

 At around 8pm people are still coming in where we’ve noticed that we should have rented a bigger hall. The hall becomes crowded and full pact especially when our honourable guests have arrived. Miss Sue Tickner; Representative, Age Concern Merton came first followed by Hon. Siobhain McDonagh; MP for Mitcham and Morden and few minutes later entering the hall is Hon. Ma. Theresa Dizon de Vega; Consul General, Philippine Embassy, London. And on that very moment I saw our President’s face was full of grace and undeniable genuine smile, where we believed that our three-guests were considered icing of the cake of the event. We greeted them with barrage of flash of our cameras and welcomed them as a real part of the family.

We started to have our dinner where everyone are eager to eat and taste the Filipino foods cooked and prepared by the MFBA officers headed by Jess Magdaong, MFBA Vice President for Internal Affairs. The crowd enjoyed the different varieties of Filipino dishes, which include kare-kare, dinuguan, sisig, fried chicken, mechado, desserts, sweets, drinks and many more. Whilst eating our dinner we had a chat with our guests of honours, have a little photo shooting along with MFBA officers and members.

Then right after the children games, next on the stage was a solo performance by our President Ronald Dalida where he sung a beautiful song “When You Say Nothing At All” and also played the guitar to complete the round of applause. Followed by numerous acts including a special participation of Miss Diane Louise Pearce, daughter of Lou Pearce, she sings “Mama Do” in which I felt a goose bumps in the middle of the singing and where everybody have really enjoyed her performance.

After dinner, our distinguished guests were introduced, they took the stage and one by one delivered their wonderful inspirational speech. Sue said “MFBA has accomplished many projects in such short period of time, very well organised, well done. Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year”. Siobhain delivered her speech and quoted saying “It was fantastic to see what a thriving and well organised group you have organised in just one year. Please extend my best wishes to all the members of the Mitcham Filipino-British Association for a lovely Christmas and New Year." And Tess also delivered her speech; she said, “It was a pleasure to attend your event. I wish the MFBA many more years and anniversaries to come. Congratulations to on the MFBA jingle. The composition is meaningful, nice and brilliant theme song".

One of the highlights is the disco for which the attendees were longing for. So when the music started they stood up took the dance floor and swing the whole two and a half hours. Thanks to our enthusiastic DJ for making the night very lively and colourful equipped with his wide selection of disco music and strobb lights.

Before the party ends the raffle draws and the prizes are given to the winners. Gifts and prizes are all donations coming our generous MFBA officers and friends.

For more information and other activities please visit our website www.mitchampinoy.com