Filipino expats to celebrate National Day a month early this year

The stage is set for the celebration of the 119^th 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. It will start from 7:00am until 8:00pm and the celebrations will be accompanied by 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.

A mini concert with a visiting Filipino celebrity guest, singer Rannie Raymundo, together with the Manila-based Nexxus Band,are also a part of the celebrations. 

"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 by 5 per cent from $25.61 billion (Dh94b) remitted in 2015.

"The majority of (OFWs) leave their families to work abroad because they want a better future for themselves - that sacrifice alone is a heroic act," added Tiberio. "Filipinos today have their own battles to win and by celebrating our Independence Day, we draw inspiration from our heroes in the past," he underlined