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Festival in the Philippines
From Jurgen Jansen

Hare Krishna.

Every year around the beginning of August, devotees from all over the Philippines come together for a weekend festival of hearing, chanting, and associating. The event also coincides with the Vyasa Puja celebration of His Holiness Giridhari Swami.

This year, for the first time, the event was held outside one of our temples in a resort about one and a half hour's drive from Manila. Nearly 100 devotees attended, 10 of them coming from Hong Kong. Fifteen devotees took first initiation and four couples were married (please see photos)

Devotees were treated to heavenly kirtans and bhajans by Yamaraj prabhu (who has an equally heavenly voice) and wonderful songs by Mother Ratnavali and Caitanya Candra prabhu, which they composed themselves, not to mention the delicious prasadam, which is always expertly prepared by Mandali Badra prabhu and his many assistants. Even the children were very happy with a choice of three swimming pools.

The general consensus was that this was the best festival so far. Much credit must go to Shridham prabhu and Mother Pauline for their hard work in coordinating the whole affair.

His Holiness Giridhari Swami, who is the local GBC and the diksha guru of many devotees here ,and inspiration for all, gave lectures and led the devotees throughout all of the weekend's festivities.