RECAP: Paskuhan sa Barangay Banyuhay Christchurch 2025

The inaugural Filipino Christmas Community event, Paskuhan sa Barangay Banyuhay Christchurch 2025 was held on the 30th of November, 2025 at Cowles Stadium, Christchurch. The event drew around 2,000 attendees from the Filipino migrant community, and the local neighbourhood as a whole.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ODa4yQbv4s

Star Performances & Entertainment Highlights

Bela Padilla headlined the TFC Happy Hour segment, giving the crowd a once-in-a-lifetime experience with an up-close and engaging performance.

Presenter, MX3, got the audience participate in an interactive mini game that had the whole stadium sharing jolly laughs.

Various raffle prizes were also given away, with much thanks to generous prize sponsors.

Shining the Spotlight on Filipino Talent

Paskuhan featured a plethora of performers showcasing the range of talents that the Filipino community members possess:

• Hosts: Kakay Babalo-Lestojas, Jackie, Reyes, Maria Flores

• Christmas Carol Singers: St Joseph's School - Papanui Cultural Group, Symptomatic, Fatima Choir, Musik Generation

• Musical Numbers: Julian Bucay (Saxophone), Kurt Lorenz Mordeno, Espasol Band

• Cultural Performances: Jay Menes, NZ Cordillera Youth, Pilipino Arnis Akademya, Ritmo Pilipino

• Hiphop Showcase: Euphoria Dance Studio

• Magic Fun: Kuya Bogart of Peter Fun Entertainment

Filipino Christmas Traditions

It's not quite a Filipino Christmas without a sighting of a Parol - the traditional Filipino lantern that decorates every household back in the Philippines during the Christmas season. The parol took centrestage with the Parol-Making contest - a competition supported by the Philippine Consulate of Christchurch.  The community was treated to 7 marvellous entries that showcased Filipino ingenuity, creativity and innovation.

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to all who participated in our inaugural Parol-making contest. :

• 27 HL Housemates (1st place Winner)

• Roniel Armas (2nd place Winner)

• Rit Girls (3rd place Winner)

• Little Flower team of St Teresa's School Riccarton

• Maskara -Te Kura o Wharenui team of Wharenui School

• Dyaryo - Te Kura o Wharenui team of Wharenui School

• Canterbury Filipino Badminton Association - CFBA

Families also got a chance to have a go with parol-making at our activity corner where several parol-themed activities were facilitated by our volunteers.

A Thriving Market

Our event partner BusinessPH brought together over 30 vendors who provided a diverse range of food and retail offerings. No one left hungry with the variety of food choices, and several community members also got to do a little bit of Christmas gift shopping.

Community Services

The heart of Paskuhan sa Barangay Banyuhay Christchurch ‘25 were the various community service stalls where a number of our kababayans and community members were able to get some of their questions answered, gain additional knowledge or receive a service.

Thank you to:

• Citizens Advice Bureau NZ Canterbury

• Inland Revenue NZ

• Philippine Consulate Christchurch

• New Zealand Blood Service - Canterbury

• Aroha New Zealand Immigration Services

• Asian Family Services

• Black Sands Immigration Consulting

• JPs Marie Pollisco, Thelma Bell, and Hernando Marilla

• Christchurch Envirohub

We also welcomed several community orgs and clubs who were able to share some more information about their various services and offerings for the whole community:

• Supling Filipino Playgroup Richmond

• Mumshies Volleyball

• Euphoria Dance Studio

• Canterbury Filipino Badminton Association - CFBA

• Southern Dragons

• Migrante Canterbury

Acknowledgments

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to MP Francisco Hernandez, and MP Paolo Garcia, who visited and engaged with the Filipino migrant community.

We were also honoured to have Philippine Ambassador to NZ Kira Azucena and Councillor for Linwood Ward Yani Johanson as our speakers for Paskuhan sa Barangay Banyuhay Christchurch ‘25. Special thanks as well to Vice Consul Mark Anthony Articulo for joining us for the day's festivities.

Our event would not have been possible without the support of:

• 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫: Businessph

• 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫: ABS-CBN Global, TFC The Filipino Channel, TFC Australia, New Zealand & The Pacific

• 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫: MX3 Natural Supplements

• 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬: UC FilSoc - University of Canterbury Filipino Society, Triskelion New Zealand Grand Council

• 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬: Primo Digital Creative, JRV Films Filmmaker, Dobest Photo New Zealand

• 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 & 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫: AJ Motors Christchurch

• 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬: Saunders & Co Tax Law, Jolly Billboards

• 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫: OrbitRemit

• 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫: Aroha New Zealand Immigration Services

• 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫: Parachute Advisory

• 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬: Planet Earth Travel, YSA Photobooth

• 𝐑𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬: Planet Earth Travel, Parachute Advisory, Aroha New Zealand Immigration Services, House of MUSA New Zealand, Hell Pizza, Launch Pad Trampoline Park, Ninja Valley Christchurch, Adrenalin Forest NZ, Orana Wildlife Park, Valentines Hornby

• 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬: VIVS Pampanga's Pride, Pinoy Corner, Elle’s Empanada, Sangkutsa NZ

• Hair Sponsor: IRazor Haircuts

Special thanks to our suppliers:

• Coy Sevilla and team of AudioSync Pro Lights & Sounds

• Spectrum Lighting and Sound

• Jepoy Villapando and team of JRV Films Filmmaker

• Exhibition Hire Services NZ

• Johnson & Couzins Hire Ltd

We'd also like to make an extra special mention to all our volunteers. This event would not have been the smashing success it was without this high-performing team - problem-solvers, collaborators, self-initiators - we really couldn't ask for a better one!

• 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲: Benex Ajoc of Dobest Photo New Zealand

• 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐤 & 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐤: Raffy Purificacion, Lois Carlos, Jelly Batulat, Maroj Patapat, Preethi K R, Cristine Ocumen, Emma Carreon, Jaz Saldua, Nelson Herrera, Naya Espelita, Isa Luy, Azile Milanay

• 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 & 𝐀𝐕 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Tim Navarro, Em Cardeno, Kakay Babalo, Mary Daganzo, Gabriel Aguila, Angel Vidal, Arbel Dayrit, Nikko Arceo, Josh Lestojas

• 𝐋𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬: Khalel Carlos, Kate Juliane M. Dalagan, Paul Greg E. Dumlao, Kristel Cruz, Jay Menes, Kath Hiso, Aira Ea, Vineeth Krishna

• 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: Ian Lemuel Milanay, Charles Angel Artuz, AR Pancho, Grazel Gueco, Sasha Aizpuru

• 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 & 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (Triskelion New Zealand Grand Council): Amir Shaban, Owen Ona, Bbhoy Diacuna, Arman Jatico, Akito Edo, Edward Palad, Coy Navarro, Zhy Arduo, Adrian Palomado, Ahriez Yambao, Blade Lazo, Glenn Tenorio, Reymond Gabisan, Romulo Espinosa, Mark Rafisura, Mel Santos, Jeff Feliciano, Niknok Cenidoza, Jandritch Muji, Steichen Cruz

• 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭/𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Becky Buada, Sambreen Saleh, Nash Reyes, Kathryn Hiso

• 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧: Gwyn Guanzon

• 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫: Luisa Bayot

• 𝐕𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫: Maffie Angeles

• 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Balong Caoile

In Closing

This is just the beginning, and we can only see this event get better and grow bigger over the years to come. Maraming salamat sa pagsama sa biyaheng ito! Sana ay napasaya namin kayong lahat ng kahit kaunti. We also hope we helped you all kick off the festive season with our very own Filipino flavour.

Stay connected with us for updates on future events!

P.S.

We are honoured to have Paskuhan sa Barangay Banyuhay 2025 included in Christchurch's official history archive! You can view the whole catalogue here.

Images by: Dobest Photography New Zealand & volunteers