Central Otago’s Filipino community held its annual year-end gathering — Paskuhang Pinoy 2022 — on Saturday at the Cromwell Sports Club.

Filipino Community in Central Otago New Zealand acting president Raymond Rivera said about 100 people attended the event.

Pasko is the Filipino word for Christmas, which is the largest and longest holiday in the Philippines, where it is celebrated from the start of September until the first week of January.

The Paskuhang Pinoy celebrations featured a variety of games, raffles, prizes, music and singing, and plenty of food and drink for a bring-a-plate feast.

A Filipino version of Santa Claus gave out gifts and the community gave thanks for their blessings.

A fund-raising campaign was also held with the money earmarked to buy groceries for a local food bank.