Members of the Filipino American Association of Bahrain (Fil-Am Bahrain) welcomed the New Year in high spirits as President Orlando Fontanilla hosted a joyful New Year celebration on 31 December 2025 at the elegant party hall of Fontana Gardens in Juffair, Bahrain. The gathering brought together members, friends, and supporters for an evening marked by unity, gratitude, and renewed hope.
The venue was filled with warmth and festive energy as guests reflected on the year that had passed and looked ahead with optimism. Laughter, lively conversations, and shared memories highlighted the strong bonds that continue to unite the Fil-Am community.
In his New Year message during an interview, President Fontanilla expressed heartfelt appreciation for the community’s ongoing support and active participation. He highlighted the importance of togetherness, volunteerism, and cultural pride, the core values that Fil-Am has long championed. Many of those who attended have long been steadfast supporters of the organization’s mission and initiative
Festive cuisine, personally overseen by Fil-Am Community Outreach Chair Grace Estacio, was paired with cheerful music and joyful moments of camaraderie, perfectly capturing the season’s spirit.”
From the 40th floor of Fontana Gardens, the group gathered at midnight to behold a spectacular fireworks display that lit up Bahrain’s skyline with different colors. Across the spot, simultaneous celebrations at key locations including The Avenues, Seef District, Bahrain Harbour, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, and Marassi Bahrain offered thousands of spectators sweeping panoramic views, turning the night into a shared spectacle of joy. As the fireworks faded, a synchronized drone show took center stage, mesmerizing the crowd with dazzling patterns and breathtaking visuals that capped off the evening in unforgettable style. Guests exchanged warm greetings and welcomed the New Year with renewed optimism, united in friendship and a shared commitment to community service.
To everyone’s joy, Bisma, the eight-year-old girl who has been lovingly supported by both Fil-Am Bahrain and the Travelers Masonic Club Bahrain, made a surprise appearance at the gathering. Another guest was seven-month-old Jah Christ Lebita, diagnosed with biliary atresia. Following a bile procedure in India, Jah Christ is scheduled for lab tests on January 25, including liver function tests, bilirubin, complete blood count with differential, and coagulation profile.
With courage and determination, Bisma, now using a prosthetic leg, has begun attending kindergarten, inspiring all with her resilience and spirit. Both children have received care and support from Fil-Am Bahrain, demonstrating the community’s unwavering commitment to helping those in need.
Meanwhile, one of the attendees, 32-year-old OFW Lordie May Cedeño, shared that spending Christmas and New Year away from her family was challenging, bringing moments of loneliness and stress.
Cedeño, who works at Cineco Bahrain Cinema as a go-karting attendant and is also a member of the Fil-Am Volleyball Team, says her motivation comes from providing for her family and helping fulfill their dreams, drawing strength from her faith to overcome challenges.
Her story reflects the resilience of many Filipino workers abroad, who persevere despite being far from home.
The New Year celebration at Fontana Gardens was more than a festive gathering, it served as a reminder of the strength, unity, and enduring spirit of the Fil-Am community. As 2026 begins, the evening marked a hopeful and meaningful start to another year of collaboration, service, and shared success.
