presents
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THE PHILIPPINE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE SAT, DEC.16, 2023 • 10AM • AMERICAN DREAM East Rutherford, New Jersey USA Produced by Philippine Fiesta USA www.paskoinamerica.com a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation
PASKO IN AMERICA PROGRAM December 16, 2023 • Starts at 10am Court A at American Dream Mall, Rutherford NJ
PROGRAM SCHEDULE 10:00 AM
2:00 PM 2:20 PM 2:30 PM 2:40 PM 2:50 PM 3:00 PM 3:15 PM
THANSKGIVING MASS Fr. Theo Layosa & Fr. Danny Dela Pena PARADE OF PAROLS OPENING, WELCOME & AWARDING CEREMONY NATIONAL ANTHEMS- U.S. & PHILIPPINES OPENING SHOW BAND OF BROTHERS KAYUMANGI CHORALE REIGN & VICTORIA FRANCESCA GEAGONI STAGE ACTIVITIES BIBBOLOYSIUS DANCERS OF JERSEY CITY SPONSORS PROMOTIONAL HOUR BOI ANGEL
3:30 PM 3:45 PM 4:05 PM 4:30 PM 4:45 PM 5:15 PM 5:30 PM 5:40 PM 5:45 PM 6:00 PM
BAND OF BROTHERS JIRO STAGE ACTIVITIES AWARD ARIELLE JACOBS, HLL CAST ARIELLE JACOBS and CAST of “HERE LIES LOVE” [HLL] CAMILLE DELA CRUZ SPONSORS PROMOTIONAL HOUR D’ DIVAS of ST.VINCENT LINE DANCERS ISABELLE DAZA DE LEON DJ HOUR/ LINE DANCING by LINDA DANO
12:30 NN 1:00 PM 1:30 PM
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Dear Friends, The essence of Pasko, deeply ingrained in the Filipino spirit, resonates as the embodiment of Christmas. However, to those unfamiliar, the inquiry persists – what sets Pasko in America apart, especially when we already have the wellestablished Fiesta in America, the second-longest-running Filipino event in the US. Our event program and activities are designed to convey a threefold message about Pasko in America: it is Your Ultimate Filipino Christmas Away from Home, a conduit for Bringing the Philippines’ Christmas Spirit to the East Coast, and a means of Transporting You to a Filipino Christmas reminiscent of your cherished memories. To materialize this vision, we have transformed the venue – the colossal American Dream Retail and Entertainment Center in East Rutherford, NJ, into a Filipino Christmas replica, replete with all the festive trimmings. Every planned activity aims to evoke the feeling of being back home in the Philippines during the holiday season. We are unwavering in our commitment to capturing the mood and vibe of Christmas inthe Philippines. Our roster of performers showcases many homegrown Filipino talents from the East Coast, and our sponsors and exhibitors include both Filipinos and non-Filipinos catering to the Filipino market. We believe in fostering a strong sense of community among different generations of Filipinos while also extending a warm invitation to non-Filipinos to partake in the richness of ourculture during the Yule season. At Pasko in America, we strive to embody the spirit of family, community, and cherished Christmas traditions. Let us unite to infuse the Pasko festivities with the warmth of gathering with loved ones, singing favorite carols, lighting parols, and sharing heartfelt gifts. I eagerly anticipate celebrating this wonderful Filipino Christmas spirit with all of you. Salamat at Maligayang Pasko! Wishing you a Merry Christmas! Sincerely,
Nanding Mendez CEO & President
PASKO In America Playbill Journal is published yearly by Special Edition Press, Inc. | Publisher: Nanding Mendez; Editor-in-Chief: Len Manansala; Managing Director: Dennis Clemente, Marketing Director,: Gino Cabigao, Community Relations Director: Dr. Laura Garcia, Cultural Director: Ogie Afable, Philippines Marketing Director: Susan del Mundo, Regional Managers: Marina Cudala, Jaime Camacho, Ana Mary Baron, International Marketing Directors: Jeff Rivera, Yoli del Mundo, Art Director: Manny Mendez, Internet Master: Nathan Mendez; Finance Manager: Vicie Allam, Comptroller: Jesse Arteche, Cultural Manager: Rose Javier, Catholic Mass Co-chairs: Rhodora Santos / Virgie Wilcox, Medy Mendez, Staff Managers: Abe Aquino, Rowena Aquino, Tess Mendez, Ester Isip, Connie CapilI, Evan Ferrer, Logistics Director: Shegie Agasaoay, Video Director: Mervin Mendez
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PASKO IN AMERICA
Parols Symbolize Birth of Christ, Reign of Light and Filipinos’ Trademark Ingenuity
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he parol's origin is veiled in mystery, a Filipino Christmas lantern born from the Spanish "farol" that morphed into a symbol ingrained in Filipino culture. Beyond commemorating Jesus's birth, it embodies light conquering darkness, the essence of Christmas, and Filipino ingenuity. Originally bamboo and paper, parols now embrace diverse materials like plastic, metal, and capiz shells, often lit electrically. The lanterns shifted shapes during American colonial times, settling on the five-pointed star. They've evolved from simple rectangles to standardized star shapes. Pampanga's Lubenas showcased this transformation, featuring crosses, fish, and stars, reviving in the 2000s.
A significant milestone was Francisco Estanislao's creation of the first fivepointed star parol in 1908. Innovations in the 1940s introduced battery-operated and programmable electric parols. Surprisingly, New Mexico's farolitos trace their roots to Filipino parols via Manila galleons.
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While traditional parols used bamboo and paper, today's versions employ varied materials and intricate designs. Pampanga's renowned lantern craftsmanship features concentric layers known as tambor, sikusiku, palimbun, and puntetas. In Pampanga today, LED lights and complex designs flourish, albeit mostly in rural areas. Once part of school curricula, lanternmaking is now predominant in rural regions, except in cities like San Fernando and Las Piñas where it thrives. In the Philippines, parols symbolize Christmas like Western trees, appearing in September, heralding the festive season and accompanying the Simbang Gabi ritual. They remain until January, marking the celebrations' culmination. Communities host parol-making competitions, notably Pampanga's Giant Lantern Festival, showcasing colossal, synchronized parols. Overseas, the Filipino diaspora embraces this tradition. Chicago hosts workshops, and San Francisco and Los Angeles celebrate annual Parol Festivals. Fiesta in America is introducing “Pasko (Christmas) in America,” with parol parades, choral performances and many other activities.
Pasko Radiates the Most Exuberant Christmas Spirit
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rom September through December (what Filipinos fondly call the “ber” months), Filipinos revel in a nonstop celebration filled with elaborate light displays, masses, festivals, and more. The Philippines, heavily influenced by over 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, observes a longer and more devout Christmas season. Approximately 90% of Filipinos are Christians, with 80% adhering to Catholicism, shaping the extended Christmas traditions. The world may contain no greater devotion and commitment to honoring the Christmas spirit than what Filipinos display each year. Pasko, the Filipino term for Christmas, is celebrated for the longest period in the Philippines due to a few key reasons: Pasko in America honors tradition with a Mass. Pasko is derived from the Spanish phrase "pascua de navidad" (Easter of the Nativity). Midnight Mass Simbang Gabi, a nine-night series of masses leading to Christmas Eve, is a cherished Filipino tradition. Parols as important as Christmas trees The parols are as important to Filipinos as the Christmas tree to Western culture. The lanterns were used by people to light their paths during the ritual Yuletide dawn masses called Misa de Gallo [midnight mass], because electricity was unavailable
at the time in many rural areas. Noche Buena Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena, is traditionally when families come together to host a large festive meal. The celebration is well known in Spain and Latin America and stems from the nation’s colonial past. Lots of delicious dishes are prepared, including puto bumbong, glutinous purple rice stuffed into bamboo tubes with butter, sugar and coconut, and keso de bola. Christmas Carols At the beginning of Simbang Gabi / Misa de Gallo is when Filipinos form groups and go from house to house singing Christmas carols for the residents. This is known as "caroling." Households give small amounts of money as a sign of appreciation for the carolers. Christmas Day Christmas Day in the Philippines is primarily a family affair. The Misa de Gallo is celebrated on December 25 and is usually one of several Masses that all family members (including non-churchgoers) are present. The Misa de Gallo is often celebrated between 10 pm and midnight, a schedule preferred by many Filipinos who stay up late on Christmas Eve for the night-long Noche Buena.
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PASKO IN AMERICA PERFORMERS
From Broadway: ‘Here Lies Love’ Star and Cast Members to Perform at Pasko in America asko in America, the offshoot of the summer event Fiesta in America, will feature top Broadway star Arielle Jacobs and her Filipino American cast members in a musical performance that promises to make American Dream, the second largest Entertainment and Retail Center in the US, grooving like it did on Broadway. Arielle will be performing alongside her “Here Lies Love” cast members in the much anticipated Filipino event at Court A in American Dream in East Rutherford, NJ. Most Filipinos recognize Arielle Jacobs from the hit musical “Here Lies Love,”’ but she has been on Broadway for sometime now, proving to everyone of her unmistakable talent and longevity. She first graced the Broadway stage 13 years ago opposite the legendary Lin-Manuel Miranda in the final company of “In The Heights” as Nina Rosario, before enchanting audiences as Nessarose in the mega-hit “Wicked,” among other shows. “Here Lies Love,” which ended its run on November 26, marks a major step up for her as a performer in that it’s her first time originating a Broadway role – that of former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos. The musical carried deep personal resonance for the actor and singer, who was raised in San Francisco alongside her brother, fellow Broadway performer Adam Jacobs. Arielle was born in San Francisco to
Cast members who have been invited and are available will be performing during the event
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PHOTO BY NATHAN JOHNSON
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ARIELLE JACOBS a Filipino mother and an American-Jewish father. She later moved to Half Moon Bay, California, and then to New York City. Her older brother, Adam Jacobs, is also a theatre performer. Her maternal grandfather was a Filipino scout for the U.S. Army during World War II, when the Philippines was an American colony, and immigrated to the United States in 1965. For “Here Lies Love,” director Alex Timbers has been quoted as saying that Arielle went through a rigorous and lengthy audition process with multiple callbacks, performing six songs from the show and even learning some choreo-graphy and staging. “Arielle brings a fierce intelligence, natural charisma, sense of danger, and the ability to exude empathy and warmth in one moment and icy superiority the next,” he says. Here Lies Love was produced by renowned celebrities with Filipino heritage
MESSAGE – Broadway icon Lea Salonga, musician H.E.R., comic JoKoy as producers, with Tony winner Clint Ramos and Pulitzer Prizewinning reporter Jose Antonio Vargas as its lead producers. The immersive disco pop musical, with a score by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, transformed the Broadway Theatre into a dance club where actors perform amongst audiences. Though Here Lies Love is created by nonFilipinos (Timbers has overseen every iteration of the musical), the cast and the producing team speaks to an ownership of the musical within the Filipino community.
Arielle has also performed as Princess Jasmine in Disney's Australian production of “ALADDIN,” marking another milestone. Beyond Broadway, she originated roles in the National Tours of “In the Heights” and “Disney's High School Musical,” embodying Nina Rosario and Gabriella Montez, respectively. Off-Broadway, she showcased her prowess in world-premiere productions by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Nilo Cruz: “Sotto Voce” and “Farhad or the Secret of Being.” She also appeared in The Baker's Wife in “Into The Woods” opposite Tituss Burgess, Mimi in “RENT” under the direction of Lexi Lawson (from “Hamilton”), and Julia in “Two Gentlemen of Verona” alongside Tony Award nominees Robin De Jesus and Javier Munoz. Arielle has collaborated with music icons like Chaka Khan and toured alongside Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, which further highlight her extraordinary musical journey. For more information about Arielle Jacobs and her upcoming performance at Pasko in America, please contact Dennis Clemente at info@fiestainamerica.com
From Pasko In America Cultural Director The Fiesta In America stage returns this December to American Dream – and for the very first time, we are celebrating Pasko in America this holiday season. Despite the short notice, we are ready to proudly showcase treasured Filipino Christmas culture and traditions. The Philippines is renowned worldwide as the only country celebrating the holiday season as early as September, when the “ber” months commence. Regardless of global events, the vibrant spirit of Christmas lives strong in our hearts. We are thrilled to offer more surprises and delights to our beloved, loyal supporters, benefactors and sponsors – going above and beyond with incredible local Filipino talent on the American mainstream stage. It brings me such joy as Cultural Director to provide this opportunity for artists to perform and create memorable experiences. My deepest thanks to the full Fiesta In America, Inc. team for their tireless work facilitating this momentous undertaking, especially Vicie Allam, Business Office Manager and Marketing Lead Gino Cabigao. Much appreciation to President & CEO Nanding Mendez and VP of Marketing Len Manansala for their leadership. I wish everyone a Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon 2024!
Ogie Afable 7
PASKO IN AMERICA PERFORMERS Star-Studded Lineup at Pasko in America in American Dream
Their performances promise to transport you into a world of Filipino music, dance, and entertainment, adding an extra layer of magic to our Filipino Christmas celebration.Visit paskoinamerica.com to learn more about our special guest performers.
BOI ANGEL
ISABELLE DE LEON
JIRO
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sabelle De Leon is a Filipino actress, singer-songwriter, painter and beauty queen. She was a former child actress, known to many as Duday in GMA-7's sitcom Daddy Di Do Du (2001). She garnered a FAMAS Best Child Actress award for her role in Magnifico (2003). Isabelle was crowned as Miss Multinational Philippines at Miss World Philippines 2019.
CAMILLE DELA CRUZ
KAYUMANGI CHORALE
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GV DIVINE DIVAS OF ST VINCENT
FRANCHESCA GEAGONI
REIGN & VICTORIA
BAND OF BROTHERS
BIBBOLOYSIUS DANCERS OF J.C.
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Taste of the Philippines: American Dream Hosts One-Day Filipino Feast Across Partner Restaurants
C Hold your Christmas party event in
JARANA, MOZZARELLA BAR AND OTHER RESTAURANTS inside the AMERICAN DREAM
VI SI T F I LI P I N O Food Trucks ®
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Dec. 16, 2023 • Located near parking lot of Court A email: sepmgzn@yahoo.com 917.612.8861 ®
How to get to Filipino Food Trucks
Step 1: Exit out of court A near the exit doors by HMART Step 2: Make a right until you get to the last aisle (Aisle K1) Step 3: Go down and enter the tunnel on the right side Step 4: Go down the ramp Step 5: You made it! Get some food at Kapamilya and Twelve Food Trucks!
Sign Up Now to Sponsor or Exhibit at Next Year’s PASKO in America at
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MEDIA PARTNER
American Dream Dec. 6, 2024! (212) 682-6610 www.PaskoInAmerica.com
Up n g i S ! Now
2024
presents ®
Where culture and sales connect Engage with 10,000+ Fil-Ams at a 10-hour indoor festival AMERICAN DREAM (COURT A) EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY
Marking 27 years as the biggest annual indoor Filipino event on the U.S. East Coast Admission is free. Consumer engagement is non-stop.
Sat. & Sun. Aug.17-18, 2024 • 10am To Sponsor, Exhibit, Advertise or Attend, Call (212) 682-6610 email: info@fiestainamerica.com www.fiestainamerica.com Philippine Fiesta USA, Inc. – A 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation