On 14 December 2024, the Filipino Women’s Association UK (FWA-UK) hosted its much-anticipated Perya sa Pasko Christmas Fayre at the stunning Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London. With the theme of community, creativity, and holiday cheer, the event brought together members, distinguished guests, and supporters for a day filled with fun, laughter, and the spirit of giving.
A Festive Start to a Memorable Day
The celebration began with a warm welcome as guests arrived, registered, and explored the festive Perya booths. The event officially opened with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem (Lupang Hinirang) and British National Anthem (God Save the King), followed by a heartfelt opening prayer led by Lisa Tripoli, Membership and Personal Development Lead of FWA-UK.
Amor Bayudan, Vice-Chairman of FWA-UK, delivered the welcome remarks, setting the tone for the day’s festivities. The Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General, Rhenita Rodriguez, graced the event with an inspiring message, highlighting the importance of community and culture during the holiday season.
Festive Fun and Games
The first activity of the day was the Bawal Mag-Clap ng Sabay game, an icebreaker that had everyone laughing and competing to determine which table would enjoy the buffet first. This fun-filled game perfectly captured the playful spirit of Filipino Christmas traditions.
The event continued with a variety of games that brought out everyone’s competitive and creative sides:
- Pinoy Henyo – Christmas Edition: Teams Bibingka and Puto Bumbong showcased their quick thinking in this lively guessing game.
- Build a Snowman Without Snow: Teams Noche Buena, Parol, and Belen used their creativity to craft glamorous snowmen, with the audience deciding the winner through applause.
- Reindeer Antler Ring Toss: Teams Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen battled to toss rings onto their Reindeers’ antlers, bringing laughter and excitement to all.
A Magical Treat
Guests were mesmerised by the incredible performance of Justin Palmer, an award-winning magician, who entertained everyone with his sleight of hand, mind-reading, and captivating tricks. His magic was a highlight of the day, leaving the audience in awe.
Best Outfit Award
The highly anticipated Best Outfit Award celebrated the creativity, elegance, and festive spirit of the attendees across four categories:
- Best Male Outfit
- Best Female Outfit
- Best Boy Outfit
- Best Girl Outfit
A distinguished panel of judges evaluated the standout looks:
- Ms Jeannette Thomson, long-time member and former Chairman of FWA-UK.
- Consul Beatriz Martinez, Philippine Embassy in London.
- Consul General Rhenita Rodriguez, Philippine Embassy in London.
The judges carefully selected the finalists and shared their insights on why these standout outfits caught their attention. Each finalist dazzled the audience with their festive ensembles, which embodied the joyous spirit of Perya sa Pasko. The crowd then decided the winner with enthusiastic applause, making this segment one of the most interactive and fun moments of the day.
The winner’s stylish and festive look earned them the title of Best Outfit and added an extra sparkle to the celebration.
The Arrival of Father Christmas
One of the most heartwarming moments of the day was the arrival of Father Christmas, who delighted children and adults alike with his cheerful presence. Santa brought along his magical sack of gifts, spreading joy as he handed out presents to all attendees, both young and old. His warm smile, jolly laugh, and thoughtful gifts made this a truly magical and memorable experience for everyone.
Raffle Extravaganza: Excitement, Prizes, and Cheers!
The excitement reached its peak with the much-awaited Raffle Draw, featuring fantastic prizes that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Generously donated by FWA-UK supporters, some of the raffle prizes were as follows:
- 1st Prize: £200 (Donated by Jeannette Thomson & Dra. Remy Reyes)
- 2nd Prize: £100 (Donated by Velly Cattermole)
- 3rd Prize: £50 (Donated by Amor Bayudan)
As each winner was announced, the room erupted in cheers and applause, adding to the day’s lively and festive atmosphere. The lucky winners walked away thrilled with their prizes, while everyone else enjoyed the fun and suspense of the draw.
The raffle was not just a moment of excitement but also a meaningful way to raise funds for FWA-UK’s initiatives, ensuring the continued success of programmes that support education and community development.
Dancing Into the Festive Spirit
The event ended with an electrifying Dugtungan Dance Challenge, where participants lined up to copy and add their own twist to the previous dancer’s move. Laughter and cheers filled the room as the sequence grew more creative and entertaining.
Once the challenge ended, the dance floor officially opened, and guests wasted no time showing off their moves. The lively music and infectious energy brought everyone together, creating a vibrant atmosphere to close the celebration.
It was the perfect ending to a day filled with fun, community, and the true spirit of Christmas.
Looking Ahead
During lunch, FWA-UK announced its exciting lineup of events for 2025:
- 8 March 2025: International Women’s Day at the Royal Garden Hotel.
- 24 May 2025: General Meeting.
- 7 June 2025: Philippine National Day Annual Fundraising Gala at the Royal Garden Hotel, where funds will be raised to sponsor nine new scholars in the Philippines.
- 27 September 2025: Annual General Meeting.
👉 See our Events Page for more updates.
A Celebration of Community
The Perya sa Pasko Christmas Fayre was more than just a party—it was a celebration of Filipino culture, community, and generosity. FWA-UK extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who attended, contributed, and supported the event. Together, we made this celebration unforgettable.
From all of us at FWA-UK, Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon! Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!