CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The warmth of Filipino Christmas permeated the Basilica di Sto. Stefano Maggiore in Milan, Italy where Lubenas lanterns from Pampanga took part in the procession for the first Missa de Gallo on Dec. 16.
It was the first time the traditional Filipino, and famously Capampangan, traditional Christmas practice made its appearance in Italy.
“Priceless were the smiles etched in the faces of our kababayan here in Milan when we brought in the Lubenas lanterns from our hometown of Magalang in Pampanga during our first Simbang Gabi this evening. A number came to us after the Mass to thank us for bringing the lanterns that they said somehow brought them home,” enthused Consul General Elmer G. Cato in his Facebook page.
“The Consulate General of the Philippines and the Filipino Community in Northern Italy express their gratitude to Mayor Maria Lourdes Paras Lacson and the Municipality and People of Magalang for their generous gesture that allowed us to share Filipino Christmas traditions back home with members of our diaspora in Europe,” furthered Cato.
The consul general has been known for bringing the Filipino Christmas tradition to his postings.
During his watch at the Philippine Consulate General in New York, Cato brought the world-famous giant “Parul Sampernando” at the Philippine Center New York dazzling the Fifth Avenue, known as the city’s “pinnacle of luxury shopping, cultural landmarks, and gilded glamour.”
Even in war-torn Iraq, Cato made it a point to put up Christmas lantern at the Philippine embassy when he served there as chargé d’affaires en pied. Punto Lifestyle Team/FB photograb
