DFA Undersecretary Ernesto Abella Leads Dubai’s Bayanihan Festival 2017
Undersecretary Abella, Consul General Cortes, Dr Yasmin Cortes, Vice Consuls Marianne Bringas and Beth Ramos, Labatt Fely Bay, and Trade Attache Eric Elnar at the Bayanihan
22 December 2017 DUBAI –DFA Undersecretary Ernesto C. Abella led the recently concluded Bayanihan Festival 2017 at Dubai’s World Trade Center with Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Filipino Community of Dubai and the Northern Emirates (FilClub).
Undersecretary Abella delivered the Welcome Remarks and commended the great partnership between the Consulate and the Filipino Community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. He said that such lively and active engagement of the community is key towards a more empowered citizenship and an invigorated nation-building process for Filipinos.
The event, which ran from 8 am to 9 pm, featured numerous competitions – fruit carving, painting, photography, Hip-Hop Dance, Painting, Photography, DJ Mixing, Acoustic Band, Hair and Maku up, Fruit Carving, solo spots by Dubai-based performers and TFC’s Jaya, OFW Bayani Awards, Parol Making, and many others.
The Bayanihan is one of the two events organized by Dubai’s Filcom umbrella organization under the auspices of the Philippine Consulate, the other one being Philippine Independence Day celebrations held in June. It is the community’s Christmas celebration, UAE National Day (2 December), and commemoration of December as Overseas Filipino Month.
This year’s Bayanihan is also historic as it marked the first time other diplomats graced and participated in the festivities. The Consuls General of Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka joined the celebration. According to World Trade Security personnel, more than 20,000 participated the celebration.
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For more information, visit www.dubaipcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinDubai/
World Trade Center Security estimates that around 20,000 joined the Bayanihan festivities.
Undersecretary Ernesto Abella as Special Guest of the Bayanihan Festival 2017
The Parade of a record 105 community organizations was a top draw at the Bayanihan.