FOREIGNERS TOO HAVE A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS IN MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 (Bernama) -- There may not be a white Christmas in
Malaysia, but the air of merriment could be felt as Malaysians and foreigners
of the Christian faith celebrated the birth of Jesus.

Christmas day, like other religious celebrations in Malaysia, is a public
holiday. Even the Filipina housemaids were given time off by their Malaysian
employers to celebrate the occasion.

At the 126-year-old St John Church in Bukit Nanas, here, Filipina maids were
among the 1,000 Catholics gathered there for the Christmas mass. It was a
festival like atmosphere in the vicinity as traders took advantage of the
occasion by setting up booths in the area to sell food and gifts.

Filipina Aida Dorato, 35, who has been working in the country for seven
years, said she enjoyed celebrating Christmas in Malaysia although away from her
family.

She said her employer gave her leave to celebrate Christmas.


Her country mate, Tholma Philiciano, 38, said she felt that the Christmas
celebration in Malaysia was more special than in the Philippines because it was
celebrated by people of various races.

"My boss is a Muslim but he allows me to celebrate Christmas with all my
friends, no matter what their race or religion," she added.

Marigrace Pajarillo, 25, said she initially could not adapt herself to life
in Malaysia knowing that it was a Muslim country, but was beginning to feel more
at ease after knowing more about Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the Bukit Nanas St John Church, Maria Joseph,
71, said preparations for the Christmas celebration started about a month ago.

--BERNAMA