22 June 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) led by Ambassador Grace Relucio Princesa held a series of activities for its celebration of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence and 35th Anniversary of Philippines – UAE diplomatic relations. The events include an exhibition on the Philippines, a diplomatic reception both held at the prestigious Emirates Palace on June 09, and a flag raising ceremony at the Embassy grounds on June 12.
The Exhibition entitled “Philippines: Freedom @ 117, Friendship @ 35” was held at the foyer of the Emirates Palace ballroom featuring Philippine fine arts and furniture, fashion and fabric, world-class products, Filipino cuisine and top tourist destinations.
Nine artists from the group Ugnayang Sining Tomasino, who are alumni of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Fine Arts and Design, showcased their paintings. The exhibiting artists from the Philippines were Angelina Janet Simeon, Irineo Rey Velasquez, Arnelita Delos Reyes, Wilfredo Layug, Bayani Rumbaoa, Rogelio Santos, Angelo Jimenez, April Villacorta and Susan Villanueva De Guzman. De Guzman, who is a Dubai-based artist and a professor of Graphic Design at the Higher College of Technology in Sharjah, organized the visit of the group together with the Philippine Embassy.
In addition to his paintings, furniture and wood carved masterpieces of Wilfredo Layug, one of the few ecclesiastical artists in the Philippines who hails from Betis, Pampanga were also exhibited. Select portraits of UAE leaders by Abu Dhabi-based Filipino artist Esmi Pangilinan were also displayed to honor the UAE leadership.
Philippine top brands and their products namely Jewelmer’s golden south sea pearls, Fino Leatherware’s Haussmann collection, and Shoephoric’s The Wayfairy collection were also on display. Under the fashion and fabric heading, Dita Sandico-Ong’s “banaca”, Cora Manimbo’s select Filipiniana creations and Yen Design’s wedding dress from his bridal collection were showcased. Both Ong and Manimbo are Philippine-based while Yen is UAE-based but also has shops in Doha, Kuwait, London and Los Angeles.
Interpretations on Philippines – UAE friendship and Visit the Philippines Year 2015 by artist Esmi Pangilinan were also displayed on 4x2 meter acrylic panels. National carrier Philippine Airlines and budget carrier Cebu Pacific were also highlighted.
The exhibition was attended by more than 200 guests, particularly the spouses of Ambassadors in UAE, members of the diplomatic corps, travel operators, business groups, Filipino community, and the media.
In the evening of June 09, a diplomatic reception was held. It was attended by more than 250 guests from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies, diplomatic corps, business groups and other members of the private sector, media and Filipino community leaders. The officials and staff of the Philippine Consulate in Dubai as well as some members of the diplomatic corps in Dubai also graced the occasion.
UAE Minister of State Her Excellency Maitha Salem Al Shamsi was the representative of the UAE Government during the reception.
In her speech, Ambassador Princesa noted the sacrifices of Philippine forebears that led to the freedom enjoyed by Filipinos today. She also highlighted the economic gains of the Philippines under the Aquino administration that is now regarded as the new economic miracle in Asia. She enjoined all members of the diplomatic corps present to visit and invest in the Philippines. She also prodded Filipino expatriates to start investing in the country for their eventual reintegration in the future. Ambassador Princesa also emphasized that the Philippines and the UAE are now enjoying 35 years of diplomatic relations characterized by friendship and cooperation.
She relayed that the exhibition at the ballroom foyer was meant to showcase the 35 years in Philippines-UAE relations and honor the UAE leadership. It also highlights what the Philippines could offer to the world including fun destinations, fine arts and furniture, fabric and fashion, food, among others.
On a personal note, Ambassador Princesa shared that she first came to the UAE eleven years ago as a Vice Consul and kept a wish in her heart that she could come back as an Ambassador, and this wish was realized eventually when she returned to the UAE in 2009 as such.
The sumptuous buffet prepared by Emirates Palace was complemented by Pinoy Golden Restaurant’s molo soup and mixed pancit, Max’s Restaurant fried chicken and lumpiang shanghai, Jollibee’s “chickenjoy”, and La Comida’s paella. Philippine bananas and pineapples and Mimoza Bakery’s cake were served in the dessert table to the enjoyment of the guests
On Independence Day itself, the Embassy officials and staff gathered together for a flag raising ceremony. It was attended by Filipino community leaders from the Bayanihan Council, the umbrella organization of all Filipino groups registered in the Embassy. After the singing of the national anthem and recitation of the allegiance to the flag, messages of Philippine officials were read by Embassy officials. The message of OWWA Administrator Rebecca Calzado was read by Welfare Officer Amy Crisostomo; the message of Philippine Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman was read by Social Welfare Attaché Isabel Sy-Nillas, Philippine Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz was read by Labor Attaché Ophelia Almenario; Administrative Officer Anselmo Ayos, Jr. read the message of Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo; Third Secretary and Vice Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil read the message of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario; the message of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay was read by Second Secretary and Consul Maria Roseny B. Fangco, and Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa read the message of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
A simple breakfast of arrozcaldo, champorado, chicken soup, beef tapa, puto and kutchinta capped the simple ceremonies. END