BTMU Pinoy Party

I finally met up with my 24 Filipinos colleagues from the IT Department of BTMU when I attended the Pinoy Christmas Party last Saturday at Melville Park. For the past year I rarely see them for their office is located at the fifth floor while I'm on the seventh floor. Every time I go down to fifth floor, I really envy their close relationship. That is for the fact that they all sit together in one room!

How it all begun:
About a month ago, my Chinese colleague informed me that she and some other Singaporeans from EB Department were going to order at "Ka Roger" as they find the menu that was passed around by the Filipinos interesting and she asked me whether I wanted to order as well. Actually, she just wanted to know what "Ginisang Monggo", "Bicol Express", "Menudo", etc. etc. are before she place her order. To cut the story short, I did joined them and since that time, I have taken my lunch at fifth floor whenever I feel like having a Filipino dish. Somehow, I came to know my kababayans. Sad thing is, some surprisingly confused me as "not being a Filipino"! I guess I can't blame them, sometimes people think of me as unfriendly because of my timidity!

At the party:
As expected, the party went well, fully organized and it was really a joyful event. But again, we celebrated the event without the celebrant! Every year (2005, 2006), this has been my observation and it's just so sad, my experience is becoming worse and worse. Our party never differs from how the Singaporeans celebrate Christmas. I mean, in Singapore, whatever religious affiliations you belong, you can celebrate Christmas "because of the holidays" without remembering the birth of our Saviour who is supposed to be the "Reason for the Season". Our party never recognized Jesus. Instead, everybody was focused on the food, the gifts, the Bingo game and worst, Santa Claus!

But above all, God has given me a new mission: To win my Filipino friends for Christ!