One thing I’ve learned is that a party can happen almost anywhere. It doesn’t have to be in a fancy venue. It can be in someone’s home, a backyard, a park, or any open space.
As long as we’re together, the place doesn’t really matter.
This time, we gathered in an old school area. It was spacious enough for everyone to enjoy the day. The children had lots of space to run around and play, while others enjoyed the volleyball and soccer field nearby.
A Taste of Home
One thing I always look forward to during Filipino gatherings is the food.
Like most of our celebrations, we followed a potluck system. Every family prepared a dish to share, allowing everyone to enjoy a little bit of each family’s home-cooked specialty. I think that’s one of the best parts of Filipino culture, sharing what we have, no matter how simple it may be.
For our family, we brought one of my recent favorites, Burger Steak! It has been one of my cravings lately, so it was an easy choice.
And just look at all the food!
Everything looked incredibly delicious, and even better, it all tasted amazing. By the end of the meal, everyone was completely full, and I don’t think anyone had room left for dessert… although we somehow still managed to eat cake! 😄
(Image Credit: Dikoh)
Speaking of cake…
A huge thank you to Ate Tina for baking such a wonderful cake. It was made with love, and you could truly taste the care she put into every bite. ❤️
(Image Credit: Dikoh)
The generosity didn’t stop there.
Other families also shared drinks, disposable plates, cups, utensils, and everything else needed for the gathering. Everyone contributed in their own way, making the celebration enjoyable for all.
The Best Part of the Day
As much as I love the food, the highlight of every Filipino gathering, for me, is always the games.
The organizers prepared fun activities that everyone could join, regardless of age. Every game brought laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of unforgettable moments.
Of course, there were prizes for the winners, making the games even more exciting.
But what stood out to me wasn’t the competition.
It was the teamwork.
The encouragement.
The patience.
The willingness of everyone to cheer each other on.
It reminded me of one of the values Filipinos are known for… Bayanihan.
Even though we’re living thousands of miles away from the Philippines, that spirit of helping, supporting, and celebrating together continues to live in our community.
We were also happy to welcome visitors from other towns, including Rovaniemi and Otanmäki. It was wonderful meeting fellow Filipinos from different parts of Finland and spending the day together.
Childhood Memories in the Making
Our little one probably had the most fun of all.
She spent the whole day running around with her new friends, playing games, laughing, getting tiny bumps and scrapes, and then happily going back to play again as if nothing had happened.
One thing we’ve noticed is that she’s becoming more and more comfortable in front of the camera.
She now happily smiles whenever she sees one.
Looks like she’s becoming quite the little model!
Everyone Lent a Hand
As every good gathering comes to an end, there’s one final activity that everyone takes part in…
Cleaning up.
And once again, the spirit of Bayanihan shined through.
No one was left cleaning alone.
Everyone helped pack the tables, collected the trash, washed the dishes, and returned the place to the way we found it.
It was another beautiful reminder that Filipino gatherings were never just about eating or celebrating.
They’re about sharing responsibilities, caring for one another, and making sure everyone enjoys the day, from beginning to end.
Final Thoughts
Gatherings like this don’t happen very often for us Filipinos in Kuhmo.
We all have different work schedules, family responsibilities, and personal commitments, making it difficult to find a day when everyone is available.
That’s why moments like these become even more meaningful.
It’s nice to slow down for a while.
To catch up with friends.
To share stories about work and everyday life.
To laugh over funny memories.
To encourage one another through life’s challenges.
And yes… sometimes, simply to vent a little.
Living abroad isn’t always easy, but gatherings like these remind us that we’re never alone.
We have a community.
We have friendships that feel like family.
And we have people who understand exactly what it’s like to build a new life far from home.
We hope we can continue having more gatherings like this in the future, not just to celebrate special occasions, but to strengthen the friendships and sense of community that make Finland feel a little more like home.
(Image Credit: Dikoh/ Tina)
“Home is not only a place. Sometimes, it’s the people who make you feel that you belong.”
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
May we always find joy in sharing what we have, strength in supporting one another, and gratitude for the friendships God places along our journey.
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