Residents at a Pembroke care home were given a traditional Filipino Christmas experience when carollers entertained them.

Filipino carollers helped spread the Christmas spirit in Westmeath as they sang carols and danced during a festive evening of entertainment on Sunday.

Lorena Realeza-Saliva, an organiser for the event, said that the show was their way of spreading a sense of “unity, love and the spirit of Christmas”.

She added: “It’s our own little way of wishing them a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and blessed New Year.”

Ms Realeza-Saliva said that she and her friends organised the event as a way to bring some of their holiday cheer to the care home in her neighbourhood.

She explained that Christmas carolling was a tradition in the Philippines and that it was common to see children and families singing to their neighbours in exchange for small gifts.

Ms Realeza-Saliva said that, over time, the performances became more elaborate and turned into a friendly competition, typically involving instruments and dancing in exchange for larger gifts.

She added that carollers, no mater how simple their performances were, could be found in neighbourhoods and churches across the country.

Ms Realeza-Saliva said that the seniors were impressed by the show they put on and enjoyed the fruit and homemade cookies that the group offered them afterwards.

She said: “The seniors were so happy and seeing their smiles was just so nice.”

Ms Realeza-Saliva thanked Jennifer Nisbett, the head nurse of Westmeath, and Kyle Swan, the care home’s head co-ordinator, for allowing them to perform.

She added that the organisers were eager to have them back again soon and that she hoped to put together another show next year with more volunteers.