PH Embassy holds Palo Para sa Kalayaan 2023 Golf Tournament in Bahrain in Celebration of 125 Years of Philippine Independence

Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Anne Jalando-on Louis (11th from left, 1st row) with the tournament participants, including Indonesian Ambassador Ardi Hermawan (12th from left) and Malaysian Ambassador Shazryll Zahiran (10th from left) at the 1st Hole after the ceremonial Tee Off for the tournament, held at the Royal Golf Club, Riffa, Bahrain, on 23 June 2023. (Manama PE photo)

MANAMA 06 July 2023 — As part of its commemorative activities for the 125th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence, the Philippine Embassy in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, organized the Palo Para sa Kalayaan 2023 Golf Tournament on 23 June 2023 at the Royal Golf Club, in Riffa, Bahrain, in coordination with the Filipino community organizations, Pinoy Golfers sa Bahrain and Good Cause.

A total of 56 golfers participated in the tournament, which included both individual and team competitions. The golfer comprised 33 Filipinos and 23 foreign nationals, representing a total of 17 countries.

Among the dignitaries that participated in the tournament are Indonesian Ambassador Ardi Hermawan, Malaysian Ambassador Shazryll Zahiran, and Mr. Duaj Khalifa, Vice President of the Bahrain Golf Association.

An awarding ceremony was held at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Manama, Bahrain after the tournament. Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Anne Jalando-on Louis noted in her remarks that the event brought together not only Filipinos, but also other nationals, in celebration of the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence. Ambassador Louis further noted that the players were divided into teams named after various Philippine wildlife such as Agila, Pawikan, Butanding, Tamaraw, Kalaw, Alakdan, Binturong, Askal, Dugong, Lolong, Bayawak, Pilandok, Musang, and Tarsier. She also thanked the players and all those who contributed to the success of the tournament.

In addition to Indonesian Ambassador Ardi Hermawan, Malaysian Ambassador Shazryll Zahiran, and Mr. Duaj Khalifa, Thai Ambassador Piyapak Sricharoen, Brunei Chargé d'Affaires Nazirah HJ Zaini, Mr. Yusuf Lori, Director of Information and Follow-up of the Capital Governorate, and Mr, Gabriel Sota Sanz, Coach of the Bahrain National Golf Team, also graced the awarding ceremony.

Video greetings were shown from golfers formerly based in Bahrain during the program, and from prominent personalities in the golfing community in the Philippines, such as Mr. Arnold Clavio, Mr. Paolo Paraiso, Metro Golfers Union CEO Mr. Carl Dela Pena, and Philippine top-ranked golfer Mr. Juvic Pagunsan.

A lucky player won a roundtrip ticket from Bahrain to Manila and vice-versa, courtesy of Gulf Air during the lucky draws at the awarding ceremony.

The Palo Para sa Kalayaan 2023 is the 2nd edition of the Philippine Embassy’s Independence Day golf tournament, following last year’s similar event. The Philippine Embassy also initiated a Palo sa Pasko in December 2021. END

Ambassador Louis leading the Ceremonial Tee Off at Hole 1 of the Wee Monty Course. (Manama PE photo)

Ambassador Louis and the ASEAN Heads of Mission in the Kingdom of Bahrain and other distinguished guests with the participants of the Palo Para sa Kalayaan 2023 during the awarding ceremony. (Manama PE photo)

Winners of the Individual Category of the tournament: Mr. Wesley Lopez from Pangasinan of Team Dugong as Champion (leftmost); Mr. Alan Castaneda from Pangasinan of Team Kalaw as 1st Runner-up (2nd from right); and Consul Bryan Jess T. Baguio from Bacolod City of Team Pilandok as 2nd Runner-up (rightmost). (Manama PE photo)

Winners of the Ladies Category of the tournament: Ms. Jina Lee from South Korea of Team Bayawak as Champion (first photo); Ms. Daphne Espanola from General Santos City of Team Pawikan as 1st Runner-up (second photo); and Ms. Fei Lin from China of Team Butanding as 2nd Runner-up (third photo). (Manama PE photo)

Left photo: Ambassador Louis with the Champion for the Team Category, namely Team Pawikan with a total score of 150. Mr. Jonathan B. Macawile (leftmost), Ms. Daphne Espanola (2nd from left), and Mr. Sanjay Kakade (rightmost). Right photo: Special awards were given to Ms. Fei Lin (left) for the “Nearest to the Pin” and Mr. Suhaid Kidwai (right) for the “Highest Gross Score”. (Manama PE photo)

Ambassador Louis (center) with the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy who comprised the organizing committee for the Palo Para sa Kalayaan 2023. (Manama PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.manamape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinBahrain or https://www.instagram.com/phlinbahrain/.