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Filipinos in UAE celebrate 126th anniversary of Philippine independence
ABU DHABI – Filipinos across the United Arab Emirates took part in celebrations in connection with the 126th anniversary of Philippine independence.
Despite the distance, Filipinos in the UAE stood united, honoring their roots and embracing their identity with pride, by participating in various cultural events and activities organized by different Filipino community groups.
Culminating the weeklong celebration of the country’s freedom from Spanish colonization was a grand cultural festival held at the Abu Dhabi National Theater on Saturday, June 15, with this year’s theme, “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.”
Several Filipino community groups from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain City, and Al Dhafra Western Region graced the event.
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, said the 126th Independence Day celebration was a significant event as it also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In his speech, Ver lauded the UAE government for their support of the Filipinos as well as the significant contribution of the overseas Filipino workers in the Gulf country.
The Filipinos are among the 200 nationalities residing in the UAE and the third largest group of expatriates, Ver said.
“The strong ties between the Filipinos and the Emiratis have always been the cornerstone of the robust and ever-growing partnership between the two countries,” he said.
Ver also urged the Filipinos to continue preserving their rich culture and heritage and to unite. He also congratulated the organizers for the successful event.
“I saw how they worked hard and how they presented to me all that they’re going to do. I told them to have faith and go ahead because the objective is very noble,” he added.
Alfonso Halibas III, chairman of the Bayanihan Council Abu Dhabi, said there were 300 performers in this year’s event, which showcased various activities, including cultural performances, food festivals, arts and crafts exhibitions, and sports tournaments.
Halibas said their group planned the event three months ago with the goal of “making the festivities bigger and better than last year.”
“Living and working away from our beloved Philippines, we carry the essence of Bayanihan—the spirit of community, unity, and cooperation—in our hearts. Our strength as a community here in Abu Dhabi is a testament to the enduring Filipino values of solidarity, generosity, and compassion,” Halibas said.
Organizing the event reflects the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and passing on our traditions to the next generation. Let’s continue to be the ambassadors of our rich culture, showing the world the beauty and warmth of the Filipino spirit, he added.
Cheryl Palacios Manalo, a council member and the focal person for the media, told GMA Integrated News that the Bayanihan Council Abu Dhabi has 40 organizations under it.
Manalo said it was in 2010, during the time of then-Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Grace Princessa, that the plan to unite all Filipino organizations was conceptualized.
“The plan to consolidate all Filipino organizations was conceptualized in 2010 under Ambassador Princessa. Since then, the Bayanihan Council Abu Dhabi has served as the executive overseeing the organizations. We have overwhelming support from the members of the organizations, and it has always been vibrant whenever we have activities,” she said.
Various establishments in the UAE also joined the celebration by displaying the Philippine flag and organizing events showcasing Filipino food, culture, and traditions.
The iconic landmark of the UAE, the 828-meter Burj Khalifa in Dubai, also lit up in blue, red, and white on the night of June 12, projecting the Philippine flag in the tallest tower in the world.
In Dubai, more than 10,000 Filipinos were treated to a spectacular cultural extravaganza at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) during back-to-back celebrations on June 8 and 9, organized by the Infinite Communities and Emirates Love Philippines.
Marilyn Lopez, a sales executive from Cebu, told GMA Integrated News that she was so impressed with the events held at DWTC.
Lopez, who has been living and working in Dubai since 2015, said it was her first time to attend the event commemorating Philippine Independence Day.
The experience made her miss the Philippines more.
“We felt the love for our country and sense of patriotism were really alive. There were so many cultural events by various groups and schools, and the performers were all excellent. I really enjoyed the event; it made me feel proud as a Filipino,” Lopez said.
At the popular Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi, a Kabayan Night was featured on June 8, where Filipinos were given special discounts to enjoy the after-dark access to over 40 world-class rides and slides. A large Philippine flag was also displayed at the Yas Waterworld.
Allan Del Prado, who hails from Pangasinan and visited Yas Waterworld with his son last Friday, told GMA Integrated News that he felt honored to see the Philippine Flag in one of the iconic places in Abu Dhabi.
“I felt very proud to see the Philippine flag right up there in full display for everyone to see. I was surprised at first to see our flag there until one of the attendants told me Yas Waterworld pays tribute to our event through organizing a Kabayan Night,” he said. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
