'We learn to adjust': How these Filipinos in Western Australia celebrate Christmas the Aussie way

Away from their families in the Philippines, these Filipinos have learned to adjust how to celebrate Christmas in Australia - still full of Filipino Christmas spirit, hope and love.

Away from their families, these Filipinos have adjusted to how Christmas is being celebrated in the country they now call home, Australia. Credit: SBS Filipino/Annalyn Violata

Key Points

• Christmas in Australia is different from the Phiippines.
• For Filipinos, like Benny Chan, who have no family in Australia, spend Christmas with friends and the community.
• The 'spirit of Filipino Christmas' remains in the hearts of many Filipinos in Australia.

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Filipinos in WA wish everyone a peaceful Christmas celebration FINAL

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2019 Christmas Light displays on some of the popular buildings in Perth WA. Credit: Edelcita Milan

Christmas season in Land Down Under is usually hot and humid, way different from the cold breeze in the Philippines in December. Majority of the almost 400,000 Filipinos, like community leader Benny Chan, now calling Australia home, have gotten used to the so-called 'summer Christmas'.

"As you know, the weather here [in Australia] is different, it's summertime, so most of the time we go to the beaches," says Benny.

"On Christmas day, our celebration is different [from what we are used to in the Philippines]. Here [in Australia], you just visit friends and family on December 25."

Benny 'Nitoy' Chan (left) with friends, Angelita Jongko and Edel Griffin. Credit: Nitoy Chan

The Perth-based writer has been living by himself since his mother passed away a few years ago and he's very grateful to his friends and the Filipino community in Perth with whom he celebrates Christmas.

Chef Jorge Gonzaga is well aware how different Christmas is in the Philippines and Australia, especially since he often works on Christmas day.