In an Oscar’s themed party, the P’lok Pinoyz, the Filipino Organization of Phitsanulok, Thailand, held their 5th Annual Christmas Ball at the ballroom of Wangchan Riverview Hotel on December 19, 2015.
More than a hundred P’lok Pinoyz members from Phitsanulok and its nearby provinces – Pichit, Uttaradit, and Tak attended the community’s early Christmas celebration clad in their black, white, silver and gold dresses and suits.
In a typical Filipino fashion, the celebration had lots of food, picture-taking and of course, singing and dancing.
The Saint Nicholas Church Foreign Community (SNCFC) Servant Choir opened up the program with a Christmas carol after a heart-rending doxology by the Canete children. It was then followed with a splendid musical performance by the host – Mr. Randy Atup along with some talented members of the organization. The Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) voices continued to fill the air with much more spirit of Christmas as they rendered more Christmas songs during the ‘Christmas Away from Home’ segment.
The ambiance turned more festive and jubilant when photos of the past events of P’lok Pinoyz were shown. But when a video depicting an OFW Christmas was played, the room came to a hush while others were seen wiping their tears.
During the raffle draw segment, everybody was hoping to have their names picked but only few were fortunate to bring home the prizes which were provided by the generous Filipino and Thai sponsors.
But it was Blessile Cainoy who brought the house down with her rendition of ‘Sway’. As she started to warm up the dance floor, the crowd requested for more which she graciously granted. When Billy and Zyrah Myrrh Tupas, sang their version of John Legend and Maegan Trainor’s “I’m Gonna Love You”, the room suddenly became romantic and the dance floor was occupied with dancing couples.
The evening didn’t end without the gift-giving to the P’lok Pinoyz kids right after the awarding of the Grand Christmas Ball Special Awards: the Little Stars of the Night were Nathan Imbon and Sophia Laput; the Best Dressed Pair were Jeffrey Yumang and Ma. Leovilyn Gauma; the Couple of the Night were Mr. and Mrs. Delano and Gina Chantengco while the Stars of the Night trophies were handed out to Carlo Donato Antonio and Cenes Camporedondo.
The P’lok Pinoyz Council also took the chance to acknowledge the sponsors and donors of the organization for 2015. They were those who provided financial assistance and in-kind to the different activities conducted during the entire year. The Bronze Level Sponsors were: Alexis Bertulfo, Estela Maris Bolay-og, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Magayon, Lyre Lavarias-Latorre, Mrs. Erlinda Siapoc, Coffee and More, and Guru-Guru Company.
The Silver Sponsors were Leah Doysabas, Title Sport and Click Art by Mr. and Mrs. Artemio Lunaria while the Gold Level Sponsors were Mr. and Mrs. Martin Ruegg and Thai Mart – Phitsanulok.
The most auspicious award of the night was The Most Outstanding P’lok Pinoy 2015 which was given to Ms. Leah Doysabas, the first P’lok Pinoyz president, in recognition to her dedicated service to the Filipino community in Phitsanulok, Thailand.
“It was the best Christmas party I have ever attended in my 10 years here in Thailand,” Mr. Lloyd Canete said. “Kudos to the organizers.”
Photos: Unice Cubalit