WESCOM joins Palawan’s “Pista na, Pasko pa” celebration

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Dec 21 (PIA) – It was a night when soldiers of the Western Command (WESCOM) set aside their combat skills and tapped into their artistic selves as they performed an array of songs and dance numbers, skits and other entertaining acts for the residents of Palawan on December 11.

In keeping with the traditional month-long Christmas celebration prepared by the city government of Puerto Princesa City, the entertainment-filled occasion was the night allotted to WESCOM in the “Pista Na, Pasko Pa” program, an event anticipated and observed in Puerto Princesa that marks the double celebration of its Patron Saint Festival and the yuletide season.

The 6^th Civil Relations Group of the AFP reported that military and civilian personnel of the different units of WESCOM wowed their audience with a rare treat to their singing prowess, dancing skills, comedic flair and other talent surprises.

But even as the night was reserved for entertainment, WESCOM Deputy Commander Brig Gen Elmer Amon took a solemn moment to remind the soldiers, as well as the people, of the true meaning of the celebration.

“Let us be reminded of the true essence of Christmas: peace on earth and goodwill to mankind,” Brig Gen Amon AFP said. The WESCOM Deputy Commander encouraged everyone to take advantage of the feeling of magnanimity that seems to settle on all during the yuletide season to “build bridges to unite differences worthy of emulation of the generations to come.”

The Christmas season has also always been the most wistful time for the soldiers, according to Brig Gen Amon AFP, particularly for those whose families live far from them. But having to perform that night for the people, giving entertainment to their audience makes them temporarily forget their nostalgia, Brig Gen Amon AFP expressed.

WESCOM has always been an active participant in “Pista Na, Pasko Pa” which enjoins different government agencies, non-government organizations, the academe, civil groups and private sectors to provide entertainment to the people of Puerto Princesa City every night until Christmas. (6CRGAFP/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)