PH Consulate General in Dubai Launches Quincentennial Commemoration
Consul General to Dubai Paul Raymund Cortes explains the importance of the 2021 Quincentennial Commemoration and its relevance to modern day Filipinos. (Dubai PCG photo)

DUBAI 08 January 2019 — The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and Northern Emirates joined the rest of the Philippine government in the nationwide launch of the Quincentennial Commemoration in the Philippines.  The Consulate held a seminar on 16 December 2019 to share with the participants the significance of the Quincentennial Commemoration to Filipinos and the Philippines as a nation.

In his remarks during the seminar, Consul General Paul Raymund P. Cortes said the entire country will celebrate 1521 to honor those who fought in the Battle of Mactan, which became an inspiration for our heroes and martyrs during the 1896 Philippine Revolution and other events that led to the formation of the Filipino nation.  He also underscored that the commemoration of the Quincentennial is an opportunity for the Philippines to rewrite its history and create a narrative that is from the perspective of the Philippines and its people. 

Recent scientific discoveries showed that Filipinos belong to the Austronesian group, an ancient maritime/seafaring people, who traveled from Formosa (now Taiwan) to the Philippines, and crossed the seas to reach Indonesia, Malaysia, and other Pacific Islands.

The Quincentennial Commemoration likewise dovetails with the Philippine participation in Expo 2020, a six month global exposition to be participated in by 190 countries which will be held in Dubai from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021 under the theme, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.”

The PH pavilion for Expo 2020 also aims to highlight and illustrate the country's history even before the arrival of the Spaniards. Bangkota (ancient Tagalog for coral reef) will be the theme of the PH pavilion in Expo 2020.  Like the coral reef, Filipinos grow into colonies that thrive throughout the world. 

The Consulate’s seminar to launch the Quincentennial Commemoration ended with participants listening to “Bagani”, the official theme song of the event, and passing around paper boats in various colors, symbolizing the Philippines’ rich and colorful heritage, to honor our maritime history and to represent the Filipino community’s optimism for a bright future for the Philippines. END

The participants of the Quincentennial Commemoration on 16 December 2019. (Dubai PCG photo)

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