'We are keeping our Filipino tradition': A decade of celebrating Christmas together in Maddington WA

From just a couple of families celebrating Christmas together, it has now become an annual major event for a neighbourhood in Maddington, Western Australia aimed at preserving Filipino traditions.

Family is not always through blood: Over 40 families in Maddington, southeast of Perth, celebrate Christmas like those family reunions in the Philippines. Credit: Fernie Vicente

Key Points

• For many Filipino, Christmas is a celebration with family.
• Over 40 families in Maddington, WA bring a plate to share every Christmas Eve.
• It has become an opportunity to pass on Filipino traditons and culture to younger generations.

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Keeping the Filipino Christmas culture alive: A neighbourhood in Maddington WA celebrate Christmas together for almost a decade now

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From a simple friends' celebration together to a whole neighbourhood, the sense of community is alive in The Haven in Maddington. Credit: Fernie Vicente

Memories of home

Reliving their childhood memories of huge Christmas family reunions, the Filipino families of The Haven neighbourhood lead the Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) celebration, preparing traditional dishes, kids playing Filipino games and making memories together.

"It is like what we were used to in the Philippines, celebrating Christmas with our families."

Through the traditional big gatherings to Filipino food and games, the Filipino neighbourhood in Maddington takes the opportunity to teach their children their culture and keep them alive. Credit: Fernie Vicente

"Since we are away from our families and relatives, this yearly neighbourhood event on December 24 is something we look forward to," shares Fernie Vicente, one of the organisers of the Christmas event.

Fernie Vicente and Analiza Carlos only met in Western Australia after relocating from the Philippines. They became friends 15 years ago and have formed a strong bond ever since. Credit: Fernie Vicente

Traditions

The annual Christmas Eve gathering started in 2014. Friends, Fernie Vicente and Analiza Carlos decided to have a joint celebration along with a few couple Filipino families.

Ms Carlos has opened their family home to host the neighbourhood event for the past nine years.

Apart from the sense of community, "[B]eing with family on Christmas is our [Filipino] tradition," she stresses.

It's one tradition Ms Carlos deeply believes can further strengthen the Filipino culture while living the Australia.

Children and even the young at heart enjoyed the traditional Filipino games and fun activities. Credit: Fernie Vicente

"Our kids also benefit from this celebration as with our activities we can pass on to them the culture we grew up with."

The Filipino teenagers from The Haven community look forward to their end-of-year events where they take part in organising activities for the younger children.

This year they hold several traditional fun and engaging games.