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Filipinos Come Together For Holiday Celebration

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 24, 2008

TAMPA - The sounds of traditional dances and the aroma of authentic dishes filled the grounds of the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center on Dec. 14 as Tampa Bay area Filipinos celebrated the holiday season with Pasko 2008.

The event on Nine Eagles Drive, which translates to "Christmas 2008," featured an auction of traditional Filipino holiday decorations and a makeshift arts-and-crafts market. Attendees sang Filipino Christmas carols and participated in a gift exchange.

Joey Omila, executive director and choreographer of Philippine Performing Arts Co. and host of Pasko 2008, said his goal was to have loads of dances because that would guarantee people would come.

"There were beautiful exotic dances," Omila said. "It was a successful event."

Throughout the event in the center's grand ballroom, the dance company showcased a number of dances, including a Spanish-influenced dance called Aray Monton.

Besides dancing, children gathered at booths to learn how to make traditional paper lanterns or to have their faces painted.

Omila said about 700 people attended, and he estimates about $3,000 was raised

The annual event serves as a fundraiser for the Philippine Cultural Foundation.

A staff report

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