OFWs in Abu Dhabi hold festive Christmas gathering, collect donations for typhoon victims

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - As Christmas approaches, several groups of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Abu Dhabi are gearing up for joyful and festive celebrations, bringing a touch of home to the UAE’s capital and collecting donations for victims of the devastating typhoons that hit the Philippines.

Various events are being organized aimed at creating a magical atmosphere that not only celebrates the spirit of Christmas but also fosters a sense of unity and belonging.

About 500 Filipinos set an early Christmas gathering last December 1, 2024 at the Khalidiya Sports Club in Abu Dhabi to attend the Paskuhan 2024 to celebrate the Christmas spirit where several activities like gift giving, Christmas variety shows, carolling contests, various games & best Christmas costumes were held.

Organized by the Bayanihan Council, an umbrella organization of 60 different groups of Filipinos based in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Paskuhan 2024 was centered on making every Filipino child feels the importance of Christmas.

Alfonso Halibas III, chairman of the council, told GMA Integrated News that every year their group brings Filipinos together to celebrate the yuletide season with vibrant and fun-filled events through music, creativity and unity.

OFWs from the capital and as far as Al Ain City and the Al Dhafra Region come together to join the yearly event which started since 2010 when the Bayanihan Council was established.

“Every year, the Bayanihan Council spearheads four major activities like the Philippine Independence Day which is held every June, the Leadership Summit which is held every October, the Paskuhan event held every December & the Family Fun Day which is held every January. This year’s Paskuhan, we focus on the kids to let them feel the joy & spirit of Christmas. Every kid will go home with a gift and they will enjoy various activities like gift-giving, Christmas carolling, presentations & a lot more,” Halibas said.

Halibas said the Council is recognized by the embassy of Abu Dhabi as the umbrella organization of around 60 different Filipino groups based in the emirate.

Aside from the four major activities they held every year, the council leader said they provide free weekly training upskilling Filipinos to help them get better employment opportunities here as well as when they decide to go back to the Philippines.

Halibas said that the yearly Paskuhan 2024 event is a way for the council to unite Filipino groups along with their families to recreate the warmth and joy of a traditional Filipino Christmas.

“Paskuhan 2024 is a gathering where it provides a special platform for Filipinos to connect, share traditions, and support each other during the most cherished holiday of the year,” he stressed.

Miriam Paglinawan, chairman of Paskuhan 2024, in a separate interview told GMA Integrated News that around 30 organizations have participated in this year’s event.

Paglinawan, who is a cancer advocate & founder of the Filipino International Teacher’s Society, The Professional Trainers Guild & Shades of Pink Society, said they had overwhelming participation from their member organizations.

“Masaya naman, the event was successful. We have asked our members to at least donate five to ten gifts per organization, but they exceeded our expectations. They gave more, the support was very overwhelming. Every child who came here will not go home empty handed and the donations for the kids who were victims of the recent typhoons will also have their share,” Paglinawan said.

She said this year’s Paskuhan 2024 was intended for the kids since most of their major activities were focused on the adults.

Paglinawan said they have already liaised with a Filipino group in Manila to distribute the donations they have collected from their members here to the children affected by the recent devastating typhoons.

“We have already contacted a Filipino group and we will gather all the donations we have collected and maybe next week or within this month, we will have them shipped to Philippines. We are thankful for all our sponsors. We hope to bring smiles to the children. Let’s live in peace, let’s keep peace in our hearts,” she said.

Sheryl Palacios Manalo, a council member, also said around 100 kids were given free gifts during the Paskuhan 2024 activity held on Saturday, December 7, 2024.

Manalo said that most of the variety shows and Christmas carolling presentations were given voluntarily by the children of their member organizations which started as early as 9am and ended at around 2pm.

She said Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ferdinand Ver has also graced their event earlier today who conveyed his appreciation to the council’s initiative to spearhead a gathering to unite Filipino communities.

“The ambassador has always been supportive in our cause and he again reiterated his message to keep spreading positivity and support to the Filipino community. This year, our focus is with the children. Lots of gifts are intended for them & they too gave their part by participating in the presentations for free. It’s a way for them to give back to the community and our way of making them feel the spirit of Christmas even if they are away from home. The gathering provides them a feeling of home,” Manalo said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News