20 December 2013 - On December 15, the Philippine Embassy in Beirut held a Christmas get-together with the leaders and members of the various Filipino community organizations in Lebanon.  There are currently 45 Filipino community associations in Lebanon. 

At the start of the get-together, Ambassador Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz delivered a welcome message conveying her greetings for the holiday season.  Ambassador Ruiz also thanked the leaders and members of various Filipino community organizations in Lebanon not only for attending the get-together but, most importantly, for their cooperation in the implementation of Philippine Embassy’s various programs and activities. Ambassador Ruiz also expressed her hope that they will extend the same support and cooperation next year especially as the Embassy planned to hold major cultural events in 2014.

The get-together included discussions by officials of the Embassy, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) officials on the implementation of the Embassy’s contingency plan, cultural events for next year, the OWWA “Cash-for-Work” assistance program, which benefits OWWA members and their dependents who are victims of typhoon Yolanda, and POLO’s Reintegration Seminar. 

POLO and OWWA officials also took the opportunity to thank the Filipino community for their assistance and support in the implementation of its labor and welfare program and also announced its activities for next year.  At the end of the get-together, the attendees were treated with traditional Filipino food namely pancit, biko and turon.

At least 100 Filipinos flocked to the Embassy to attend the event. END