Filipino community’s Christmas float sails away with top award

The Gore Filipino community float took top honours with its boat-shaped float in the Gore Christmas parade yesterday.

About 35 floats entered the parade, with the Filipino community taking the best overall float award.

Filipino community member Allen Salvana, of Gore, said the group’s float was usually a nativity scene.

This year community members chose member Marjun Allonsabe’s design of a paraw, or sailing boat.

"Everyone liked it, so that is why we came up with that one."

Traditionally the paraw was used to travel between the many islands of the Philippines but it is now also used as a fishing vessel.

The floats were judged before the event and winners received a rosette to display during the parade.