World’s Tallest Building Lights Up in PH Colors
Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building and Dubai’s most famous landmark lit up in the colors of the Philippine flag.
DUBAI 20 June 2019 – Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building and Dubai’s famous landmark, lit up in the colors of the Philippines for the first time ever on the 12 June 2019, as the country celebrated the 121st anniversary of its independence.
Thousands of Filipinos and people from around the world gathered outside cheered as the iconic 828-meter tower turned into a giant Philippine flag for an entire minute.
The light display was made possible by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Dubai and Emaar Properties, the developer and owner of the world-famous building.
Moments before the Burj Khalifa lit up, a special light show at Dubai Festival City (DFC) was presented to the public. The Philippine flag was projected on Intercontinental Hotel while the country’s national anthem was played.
This was followed by a series of images of Philippine’s cultural and natural attractions. The DFC Mall management also feted Filipino community leaders at a reception at one of DFC’s restaurants.
On the customized-Imagine show of the DFC, Consul General to Dubai Paul Raymund Cortes said: “This is the first time that we have a venue in Dubai that highlights the importance and recognizes the contributions of the Filipinos here in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Now this is also a wonderful tool to spread awareness of who we are as a people, what we can contribute, and what role we play in a multicultural society such as that of the UAE. I extend my warmest and sincerest and deepest gratitude to the Dubai Festival City Mall Management for coming up with an initiative such as this.”
He added that with trust comes the opportunity to pay it forward and inspire fellow migrant communities living here in the UAE to show that Filipinos can inspire change and spread positive influence. “We have to inspire the migrant communities also to make them realize their own potential in the same way that their journey such as ours in the UAE, is that of trying to find our niche under the sun, contributing to the betterment not only for our respective communities at that, but to the betterment of humanity for that matter. In a global, multicultural setting such as that of the UAE’s where tolerance, acceptance and welcoming of diverse cultures, languages and hearts are concerned, this is something very important for everyone.”
A solemn flag raising ceremony was also held at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai’s grounds in the morning where some 200 community leaders and members including the Consulate and its attached agencies. Speaking at the morning ceremony, Consul General Cortes urged the community to use our freedom to inspire others to realize their ultimate potential as Filipinos, as children of our Creator, and as stewards of the earth.
Filipinos represent the third largest expatriates community in the UAE and more than 500,000 of them based in Dubai. From professionals, including accountants, engineers, and nurses, to those in the service industry, Filipinos have made a significant mark on Dubai’s economy and society. END
A special light show at Dubai Festival City was presented to the public. The Philippine flag and series of images of Philippine’s cultural and natural attractions was projected on Intercontinental Hotel. (Kabayan Kamera Klub and Jay Fuerzas photos)
The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai’s officers and staff on Philippine Independence Day 2019. (Dubai OCG photo)
For more information, visit www.dubaipcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinDubai/ or the Consul General's FB page @phcongendubaipaulcortes