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
07:39
2019 Christmas Light displays on some of the popular buildings in Perth WA. Credit: Edelcita Milan
"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
Chef Jorge Gonzaga is well aware how different Christmas is in the Philippines and Australia, especially since he often works on Christmas day.
