PHL execs visit 116 Pinoys in Hong Kong prison on Christmas

Some 116 Filipino inmates in Hong Kong prisons received a much-needed morale booster last Christmas from Philippine officials who held their annual Christmas visit last December.   The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong said the prison visits and gift-giving were held in eight Hong Kong correctional institutions from Dec. 1 to 15.   "The consular teams that conducted the visits personally met with the Filipino inmates and handed items consisting of towels, shampoos, lotions and pens," the DFA said.   The areas visited were:

• Ting Tau Correctional Institution
• Stanley Prison
• Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution
• Lai Chi Kok Correctional Centre
• Lo Wu Correctional Institution for Women
• Shek Pik Prison
• Tai Lam Centre for Women
• Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre.

  The Consulate General said one highlight of the Christmas Program was a mini-concert held in Lo Wu Correctional Institution for Women on December 8.   Consulate officials and members of the Filipino community, including musicians led by Niki Flores and radio personalities Michael Vincent and Jun "Tita Kery" Paragas, performed Christmas songs and played traditional Filipino music.   Also present were Charlin de Guzman, Ferdinand Gallano, Victor Salinas and Eduardo Rivera.   "This year's concert marks the ninth time the Consulate has spearheaded the Christmas event that has become an annual tradition in an effort to share the Christmas spirit to Filipino inmates detained in Hong Kong," the Consulate General said. - RJMD/VVP, GMA News