by Phyllis Louise Harris
November 2013
Maintaining
Filipino traditions is one goal of the Fil-Minnesotan Association and on
December 7th it will hold its 38th annual Paskong
Pilipino Christmas celebration for children. The Filipino community comes
together for an afternoon of carols, talent show, nativity scene, raffle,
manuhan, Santa and, of course, a wide variety of Filipino food…and it is free!
What
a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays and have an opportunity to taste
authentic food of the Philippines. Lunch, also free, includes some of the
Philippines most popular dishes: pansit, chicken or pork adobo, steamed white
rice and biko, sweet rice topped with caramel. In addition there will be food
vendors at the event selling a wide variety of Filipino favorites such as
barbeques, desserts, and more.
The
traditional manuhan is a ceremony by children to honor their grandparents by
kissing the hand of grandpa and grandma who then give their grandchildren small
holiday packets filled with candy canes
and
money. Another traditional event is the swinging of the pabitin, a bamboo
square with gift pouches attached for children to grab and remove.
The
annual Paskong Pilipino runs from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Parish Community
of St. Joseph, 8701 36th Avenue North in New Hope. The entire event
is organized and presented by Fil-Minnesotan volunteers. If you are planning to
bring children, please bring a wrapped gift for each child with their name
clearly marked on the gift so Santa will get it to the right child.
Fil-Minnesotan
Association seeking donations for victims of Typhoon Haiyan
While
Paskong Pilipino celebrates one of the joys of Filipino life, there is also the
reality of the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines on
November 8 leaving an estimated one million people without homes, food, water
and the basic essentials for daily life. To put it in perspective if the
typhoon had hit the Twin Cities, everyone living in Minneapolis, St. Paul,
Woodbury, Blaine, Maple Grove, Bloomington and Edina would be looking for
assistance just to survive.
The
Fil-Minnesotan Association is currently raising funds to assist Philippine
relief efforts. Since the organization
is non-profit all money sent to them for the relief effort is tax deductible
and will be sent in full to the Philippines. Every donation is essential, no
matter how large or small. If it can buy a pound of rice or a dozen eggs your
donation will play an important role in getting Filipinos back on their feet.
It may even save a life!
For
additional information contact them at www/Fil-Minnesotan.org, or info@fil-minnesotan.org, or
651-300-4FMA. Checks should be made out to Fil-Minnesotan Association with a
note for Storm Relief. Mail to Fil-Minnesotan Association, Attn: Storm Relief,
c/o Philippine Center of Minnesota, 1380 Frost Ave., Maplewood, MN 55109. Every
donation will make a difference!
______________________________________
Read more about Asian food in Minnesota and try more than 160 recipes in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, in bookstores and on amazon.com.
Buy online: Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875
Watch the EMMY® award winning “Asian Flavors” television show based on the book on tpt MN. Check local TV listings for broadcast times or view the show streaming online at:
http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/customPlaylist2.php?id=24552&select_index=0&popup=yes#0
______________________________________
Read more about Asian food in Minnesota and try more than 160 recipes in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, in bookstores and on amazon.com.
Buy online: Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875
Watch the EMMY® award winning “Asian Flavors” television show based on the book on tpt MN. Check local TV listings for broadcast times or view the show streaming online at:
http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/customPlaylist2.php?id=24552&select_index=0&popup=yes#0
