21 December 2015 – The Filipino community in Geneva celebrated the arrival of two large Parols from San Fernando, Pampanga with a Mass in Filipino at the Basilica Notre-Dame of Geneva, the main Roman Catholic Church in Geneva, Switzerland.

Father Ben Jerson Canete, a Filipino priest based in Rome, presided over the Mass and the blessing of the Parol. Filipino church songs and carols were sung by the Filipino Catholic Community of Geneva choir. 

To give the community an opportunity for a close-up view of the Parol, the lantern was placed at eye-level near the altar of the church, prior to installation.

The mass and the lighting of the lantern is just one way the community is honoring Filipino traditions in Geneva. Father Canete has also been celebrating the Misa de Gallo for the community in Geneva, which began on December 16, the traditional start of the Simbang Gabi in the Philippines.

In her remarks, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, acknowledged the efforts of many individuals and organizations in the “Parol of Pampanga in Geneva” project, specifically San Fernando Mayor Edwin David Santiago and his City Tourism and Investment Promotion Office led by Ms. Ching Pangilinan for the production of the parols; the Office of Senate President Franklin Drilon for the transit of the parols to Switzerland; and the DFA Cultural Diplomacy Unit and the Regional Consular Office in Pampanga for the coordination of the project.

The Philippine Mission is glad to take part in the Filipino community’s effort to foster understanding among the diversity of cultures in Geneva. According to Ambassador Rebong, “Sharing the colorful and festive Philippine holiday traditions such as the Christmas lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga with the people of Geneva is but one of the ways the Philippine Mission wishes to contribute, and we look forward to more positive cultural exchanges in the year to come.” END