Filipino expats pray for peace, prosperity as they mark I-Day
dubai — A simple yet meaningful celebration of the 119th Philippine Independence Day was held at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai on Monday. A bigger celebration was held a month earlier at the World Trade Centre.
At 7.30am, Philippine ConsulGeneral Paul Raymund Cortes led the flag-raising ceremony and singing of the Philippine national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” at the consulate grounds as leaders of various Filipino expat organisations joined in honouring the sacrifices and victory of their forefathers to claim freedom after more than three centuries of Spanish rule.
To signify unity, an interfaith ecumenical celebration was also held by leaders of various faiths. They offered prayers for peace and prosperity in the Philippines. A particular prayer was recited by an imam for the end of hostilities in the Islamic city of Marawi in southern Philippines.
In his message, Cortes said: “We commemorate this day when our forefathers founded for themselves a nation that would be home to a proud people, resilient and resolute in their quest for excellence.
“I share my warmest felicitations to my fellow Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and in the rest of the UAE on the occasion of the anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. One hundred and nineteen years ago, the Philippines made history as the first Republic in Asia. Today, we find the Filipino people spread over 210 countries across the globe, carving their niche as special ambassadors of humanity to the rest of the international community,” he told Khaleej Times.
Cortes also honoured the more than 600,000 Filipinos living in the UAE. “They are bearers of a wide expanse of cultures and traditions, and proud representatives of a people ready to contribute to the UAE community,” he said.
“For over 30 years, Filipinos have steadily sought the opportunities the UAE has to offer. We reiterate our thanks to the UAE’s safe, secure, and innovative environment that thereby allows us and millions of others to reach and achieve our individual potentials,” he added.
The Philippine diplomat urged his kababayans (countrymen) “to continue being genuine representatives of the global Filipino — determined, industrious, respectful, circumspect, and inspired”.
“As we take pride in the contributions of the overseas Filipino community in the economies we play a significant role in, let us remain steadfast in our visions of a prosperous motherland, a home that has bred the best of humanity,” he concluded.
angel@khaleejtimes.com