SAN FRANCISCO, USA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco kept a yearly holiday tradition with the Pilipino Seniors Resource Center (PSRC) alive, as it hosted a Christmas celebration for close to 60 PSRC “lolos” and “lolas” at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall on 10 December 2021.
The PSRC Christmas celebration at the Consulate, which was done virtually last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was held again in person this year with the generous support of the San Francisco Bay Area Ateneans, a group of alumni from the Ateneo de Manila University.
Philippine Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer and Mrs. Miriam M. Ferrer led Consulate officials in hosting the Christmas celebration for the PSRC seniors. In his remarks, Consul General Ferrer welcomed the elders to the Consulate, their “second home in San Francisco,” as they celebrate the birth of Christ away from the Philippines and amid an ongoing pandemic.
“[This Christmas celebration] is our way of reaching out to our community members, especially those who are unable to travel to the Philippines and are missing their loved ones this time of year. And despite the new normal brought about by the pandemic, I am thankful that we can celebrate Christmas and share the spirit of the season with you,” Consul General Ferrer said.
The Philippine Consul General also paid tribute to the Filipino elders in attendance, many of whom have been living in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the United States for decades.
“Today’s celebration is our way to honor and thank you, for leading the way for the Filipino community here in San Francisco. Many of you braved the challenges of moving out of the Philippines in pursuit of the American dream… Through your sacrifices, we have grown to become a vital part of the social fabric of this city, and of the State of California,” Consul General Ferrer said.
For his part, PSRC Executive Director Gabby Moraleda thanked the Consulate and the San Francisco Bay Area Ateneans “for making our lolos and lolas feel that they are remembered and loved during the happiest time of the year.”
“The pandemic has been raging for almost two years now, and that is how long many of our seniors are physically away from the homeland and their loved ones. Through this celebration, our seniors get to experience the warmth and joy of Filipino Christmas even just for a day,” Moraleda said.
The San Francisco Bay Area Ateneans sponsored the Christmas gift bags for the PSRC seniors, which contain thermal bottles, towels and gift cards. The PSRC seniors also showed their hidden talent in dancing through their performances of the Igorot Sisiwit dance, and La Jota Moncadeña.
A holiday staple at the Consulate since 2015, this year’s Christmas celebration with the PSRC seniors implemented measures to ensure everyone’s safety from COVID-19. Elders were divided into two groups of 30, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, to ensure physical distancing at the venue, while those who have received their COVID-19 booster shots were given preference in terms of entry to the venue. END
