Filipinos to celebrate I-Day a month early
dubai — The stage is set for the celebration of the 119th Philippine Independence Day (PID) on Friday at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The actual national day is on June 12, but since the date falls during the Holy month of Ramadan, the Philippine Consulate and Filipino expat community in Dubai has decided to celebrate it a month earlier.
Organisers said it will be a “whole day of fiesta atmosphere” at the World Trade Centre, starting from 7am until 8pm, with Philippine cultural dance presentations, expats wearing national costumes and sales of Filipino delicacies.
There will also be a ‘Mr and Miss Teen PID 2017’ competition, on-the-spot painting contest, Pinoy hairstyle challenge, battle of the bands, and original Pinoy music singing competition. However, unlike the past celebrations, there will be no job fair this year.
Tata Dayot, chairman of FilClub (PID organising committee), told Khaleej Times that entrance is free for the event and visitors stand a chance to win lots of prizes, including 20 Dubai-Manila return air tickets sponsored by the Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and travel agencies. There are also giveaways like LED TVs, gadgets, and home appliances.
There will also be a mini concert with visiting Filipino celebrity guest, singer Rannie Raymundo, together
More than the celebration, it will also be a keen commemoration of our Filipino heroes and forefathers who fought for the independence which we enjoy today.” Tata Dayot, chairman of FilClub
with the Manila-based Nexxus Band. “It’s a big event for the Filipino community in Dubai and the northern emirates,” said Dayot. “But more than the celebration, it will also be a keen commemoration of our Filipino heroes and forefathers who fought for the Independence which we enjoy today.”
The Philippine Independence Day, also known as “Araw ng Kalayaan” is an annual national holiday commemorating the proclamation of the sovereignty and independence of the Philippines from over 300 years of Spanish colonial rule, on June 12, 1898.
“As we celebrate our Independence Day, we also honor the OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), who are considered modern-day heroes, for their widespread contribution to the Philippine economy,” added Joey Tiberio, sales manager at Philippine Airlines.
He noted that OFWs, numbering more than 10 million around the world, sent back a record $26.9 billion (Dh98.8b) to the Philippines last year, up 5 per cent from $25.61 billion (Dh94b) remitted in 2015.
angel@khaleejtimes.com