Juliana Dekant and her dance crew performing a special number at the concert. (Manama PE Photo)
MANAMA 24 June 2024 – The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, organized the visit of the cultural group, Filipiniana Rondalla, to Bahrain from 11 to 15 June 2024 to perform in the Embassy’s activities in commemoration of the 126th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence. The Filipiniana Rondalla is composed of seven (7) musicians, namely, Michael John Samaniego (group leader), June Christian Vivar, Dustin Cinco, Jezreel Lastra, Matthew Dominic Romulo, Arbie Dale Castro, and Robert Andrew Punzalan.
The visit of the Filipiniana Rondalla to Bahrain is in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and with Gulf Air. Global Travel and Tours WLL, a travel agency based in Bahrain, also supported this cultural initiative of the Embassy. The highlights of the Filipiniana Rondalla’s visit to Bahrain include its performances during the reception hosted by Her Excellency Anne Jalando-on Louis, Ambassador of the Philippines to the Kingdom of Bahrain, at the Al Rifaa Ballroom of the InterContinental Hotel in Manama, Bahrain, on 12 June 2024, and its concert held at the Cultural Hall, one of the premier concert venues in Bahrain, on 14 June 2024.
In her remarks during the concert, Ambassador Louis noted the significance of commemorating Philippine Independence Day each year. She also thanked the NCAA, Gulf Air, and Global Travel and Tours WLL for partnering with the Embassy in bringing the world-class talent of the Filipiniana Rondalla to Bahrain and showcasing Philippine culture and the arts through music. The Filipino Community Band, composed of Filipino musicians working in Bahrain, played the National Anthems of Bahrain and of the Philippines at the start of the concert. An intermission number was rendered by Juliana Dekant, a nine-year-old talent of Filipino and German descent, and her dance crew. Juliana is the winner of the Filipino Club Bahrain’s Got Talent competition held in June 2022.
The Filipiniana Rondalla also performed at the Gulf Insurance Group (GIG) Auditorium and at Lulu Dana Mall in Seef, Bahrain, on 13 June 2024. The latter was part of Lulu Hypermarket’s “Pinoy Week” from 09 to 15 June 2024 that promoted Philippine food, personal care items, and other products. The local and foreign audiences hailed the Filipiniana Rondalla for their amazing skills and talent and expressed their appreciation for Filipino music.
The Embassy extends its appreciation to the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) for providing the said venue for the concert. More than four hundred (400) guests attended the concert, including the ASEAN Ambassadors in Bahrain and other diplomats, officials from the Capital Governorate, representatives from the private sector, partners and friends of the Embassy, other foreign guests, members of the Filipino community, and the Embassy’s personnel and their dependents. END
The Filipiniana Rondalla receives a standing ovation at the end of the concert. (Manama PE Photo)
Ambassador Anne Jalando-on Louis (7th from left), and spouse, Dr. D. Gerard Joseph Louis (8th from left), together with Malaysian Ambassador Shazryll Zahiran (5th from left), Indonesian Ambassador Ardi Hermawan (6th from right) and spouse, Madame Yulina Puspasari (7th from right), Brunei Chargé d’ Affaires Nazirah HJ Zaini (4th from left), Thai Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i., Penpitcha Thammasith Boonloy (5th from right), Capital Governorate Director of Information and Follow-up Yousuf Lori (6th from left), and the members of the Filipiniana Rondalla (left to right) Arbie Dale Castro, Matthew Dominic Romulo, Robert Andrew Punzalan, Michael John Samaniego, Jezreel Lastra, Dustin Cinco, and June Christian Vivar, after the group’s concert held at the Cultural Hall in Manama, Bahrain, on 14 June 2024. (Manama PE Photo)
For more information, visit https://www.manamape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinBahrain or https://www.instagram.com/phlinbahrain/.