13 June 2010 - More than 300 Filipinos representing various community organizations joined Consulate and Labor officials in Jeddah to celebrate the 15th Migrant Workers' Day held at the Philippine Consulate General grounds on June 4.
The Migrant Workers' Day commemorates the signing of Republic Act 8042, the law that put into place the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos and their families.
The celebration, dubbed 'Araw ng Pasasalamat' or day of thanks, with the theme "OFWs: Tagumpay sa Hamon ng Panahon, Kaagapay sa Pagsulong", comes one week before the celebration of the 112th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence. It was organized by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Jeddah in coordination with the Philippine Consulate.
"Every year it is the community that organizes and performs on this day and during the Independence day celebrations. This year, the Consulate wanted to do something for the community and prepared this program to honor Filipinos, with performances by the Consulate and Labor officials, as appreciation to Filipino expatriates in the Kingdom," Consul General Ezzedin Tago, in his address, said.
Labor Attaché Vicente M. Cabe officially welcomed the crowd, followed by messages from the OWWA Administrator and Philippine Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, and an audio-visual presentation on "Global Pinoy" highlighting government programmes for overseas Filipinos.
The United Bangsamoro Council presented a vibrant Kulintang Musical Ensemble performed by the Maranao group.
After dinner and the prayer break, Vernabe Labao, last year's winner of the Himig ng Kalayaan Contest, rendered an original Pinoy song.
Ten-year-old Farrah, the daughter of Vice Consul Mary Jennifer Domingo Dingal, performed a wonderful Itik-itik dance in classical ballet which was followed by a song number by representatives of PAG-IBIG, SSS, the Trade Representative and the Hajj Attache.
Consulate staff and dependents, including their children, then displayed colorful traditional Philippine costumes in a short parade.
The evening's finale was a surprise set of three songs composed and performed by Consul Leo Tito Ausan, Jr., who led Consulate personnel Elsa Masa, Rafael Reyes and his wife Eumelia, Berlin Tolosa in a priemiere performance dedicated to the community.
Throughout the night, all those attending were included in an exciting raffle draw that included four flat LCD TVs and many other items. END