The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong organized concerts to mark the start of the formal Filipino Christmas season, in collaboration with established Hong Kong partners, focusing on Filipino art and folk songs and traditional Tagalog-language Christmas carols in Hong Kong’s Central District on 15 and 16 December 2018.
The first concert, dubbed “Kundiman at Kapaskuhan,” featured early 20th century love songs called kundiman performed by soprano Stefanie Quintin, guitarist Ivar Nicholas Fojas, as well as Christmas music by Baguio City’s longest running community choir, Coro D’Llera Music Ministry at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre’s Lippo Amphitheater.
Officials and staff of the Consulate, headed by Consul General Antonio A. Morales, welcomed Asia Society members, representatives of the Filipino community in Hong Kong, and high-level officials of the consular corps to enjoy what at times seemed like open-air serenade of romantic or sentimental pieces familiar to every Filipino.
The event was also made possible through the support of the Friends of the Philippines Foundation.
On 16 December 2018, the ensemble performed at University of Hong Kong’s (HKU) Rayson Huang Theatre in a concert titled “Paglalakbay at Paglalayag”, which was organized in partnership with EmpowerU. Formerly known as Domestic Workers Empowerment Program, the project was initiated in 2014 at the HKU to run courses for migrant workers in Hong Kong.
“We understand very well that bringing the Filipino traditions to Hong Kong makes them feel closer to home and gives them a sense that they are by no means alone in their journey,” said Consul General Antonio A. Morales in his open remarks before the audience in Rayson Huang Theatre.
The audience, composed of members of the Filipino community in Hong Kong, cheered the rare performance with spontaneous and resounding applause. The repertoire was composed of folk songs which reminded the audience of home, and Filipino Christmas songs which evoke memories of the Philippine Christmas traditions.
Filipino Roman Catholics attend a devotional nine-day series of Masses in anticipation of Christmas leading to Christmas Eve, starting from 16 December. Called Simbang Gabi (“Night Mass”), the tradition is practiced by large Filipino communities overseas, including Hong Kong, leading up to the midnight mass called Misa de Aguinaldo at Chater Gardens.
