PH Consulate General in Dubai, Filipino Community Hold Bayanihan 2018

DUBAI 22 January 2019 — In celebration of the National Day of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 02 December 2018 and Christmas, the Philippine Consulate General and the Filipino Community in Dubai spearheaded Bayanihan 2018 at the World Trade Center on 21 December 2018.

Some 10,000 Filipinos and guests participated in this year’s edition of the Bayanihan, a 15-hour show that featured games, various competitions, and a mini-production of The Filipino Channel (TFC) with ABS-CBN stars Sue Ramirez and Ronnie Alonte.

In his welcome remarks, Consul General to Dubai Paul Raymund P. Cortes emphasized the importance of the collaboration between the Consulate General and the Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

“A proactive engagement of the community is key towards a more empowered citizenship and an invigorated nation-building process for Filipinos,” Consul General Cortes added.

A highlight of the program was the Overseas Filipino Workers Dakilang Bayani Award, given to outstanding members of the Filipino community.

Five Filipinos were awarded for their invaluable community service, namely, educator and cancer advocate Dr. Sharon Mendoza-Dreisbach, entrepreneur Jose Reynante Papel, school counsellor and educator Jennifer Gonzales, entrepreneur and human resource professional Sheryll Evangelista Bacay, and triathlete Romeo Puncia.

Bayanihan is one of the two events organized by Dubai’s Filipino community and the Consulate General in 2018, the other one being Philippine Independence Day celebrations held last June. END

For more information, visit www.dubaipcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinDubai/ or the Consul General's FB page @phcongendubaipaulcortes