PH Embassy in Manama Kicks Off Celebration of 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of PH-Bahrain Diplomatic Relations This Year with a 3-Day Festival
Top photo: Philippine Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. to Bahrain Anne Jalando-on Louis welcomes the guests during the Opening Ceremony for the Philippine Festival held at the Oasis Mall in Juffair, Bahrain, on 26 January 2023. (Bottom photo) The logo for the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain was launched during the Opening Ceremony. In the photo with CDA Louis are H.E. Shaikha Hind bint Rashid Al Khalifa (4th from left), Director of Al Rashid Group, Mr. Hassan Abdullah Al Madani (4th from right), Deputy Governor of the Capital Governorate, H.E. Shazryll Zahiran (3rd from left), Ambassador of Malaysia, H.E. Ardi Hermawan (3rd from right), Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. Nazirah HJ Zaini (2nd from left), Chargé d’ Affaires of Brunei, Mr. Nuttapat Chumnikarakij (2nd from right), Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. of Thailand, Mr. Yusuf Yaqoob Lori (rightmost), Director of Information and Follow-up of the Capital Governorate, and Mr. Ric Advincula (leftmost), President of Filipino Club Bahrain. (Manama PE photo)
MANAMA 03 February 2022 — The Philippine Embassy in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, collaborated with Brand Sync, an events company, and the Oasis Mall in Juffair, Bahrain, on a 3-day Philippine Festival that was held at the mall from 26 to 28 January 2023. The Festival is the first of several activities to be organized by the Philippine Embassy this year to commemorate the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The Philippine Festival was officially opened on 26 January 2023 by Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. Anne Jalando-on Louis, together with guests, H.E. Shaikha Hind bint Rashid Al Khalifa, Director of Al Rashid Group, Mr. Hassan Abdullah Al Madani, Deputy Governor of the Capital Governorate, H.E. Shazryll Zahiran, Ambassador of Malaysia, H.E. Ardi Hermawan, Ambassador of Indonesia, H.E. Nazirah HJ Zaini, Chargé d’ Affaires of Brunei, and Mr. Nuttapat Chumnikarakij, Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. of Thailand.
Mr. Yusuf Yaqoob Lori, Director of Information and Follow-up of the Capital Governorate, Mr. Khalifa Al Mannai and Mr. Waleed Al Rayes of the ASEAN Bahrain Council, and Mr. Ric Advincula, President of Filipino Club Bahrain, also attended the event.
During the opening ceremony held at the Atrium of Oasis Mall, the National Anthems of Bahrain and of the Philippines were performed by the Filipino Community Band, a group of Filipino musicians working in Bahrain. They also performed the “Fil-Aali” march arranged by Mr. Khalid Mandi and a medley of Philippine folk songs.
The highlight of the opening ceremony was the launch of the logo of the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain, the actual date of which is on 27 November 2023.
The three-day event featured Philippine arts, cuisine, culture, music, and the Filipino tradition of festivals. There was a variety of food stalls, booths selling various non-food items, and service booths such as Dar Al Shifa Medical Center, NEC Exchange, LBC, Quick Pick Cargo, Fitness First, and the Social Security System (SSS) under the Embassy. Performances by individual singers, a choir, and live bands were also held. Other activities like Zumba, basketball, chess game, and lucky draws were likewise held during the festival.
During the program held on 27 January 2023, the Filipino Club Bahrain presented the candidates for Ms. Philippines Bahrain 2023. The winner will be selected and crowned on 17 March 2023.
A Pinoy Market at Carrefour inside Oasis Mall and an Art Exhibit, in collaboration with Filipino Creatives Bahrain and International Action Arts Bahrain that featured the works of Filipino and Bahraini artists, were also held in conjunction with the Philippine Festival.
The event's final day was filled with music, dance, and plenty of Filipino delicacies to savor.
CDA Louis conveyed her appreciation to the Al Rashid Group of Oasis Mall, Brand Sync, and all the performers, vendors, volunteers, the Filipino Community, and all other individuals and groups who lent their support and contributed to the success of the Festival. END
The Filipino Community Band played the Philippine and the Bahraini national anthems and other songs during the program for the Opening Ceremony for the festival. (Manama PE photo)
Left photo: CDA Louis accompanying Capital Governorate Deputy Governor Hassan Abdullah Al Madani and other guests during a tour of the booths at the open car park of the Oasis Mall. Right photo: Members of the public at one of the food booths, Lolo’s Kitchen. (Manama PE photo)
Some of the booths at the festival. (Manama PE photo)
Clockwise: 3-on-3 Basketball game for junior and senior category, Chess game organized by the Andalus Chess Club, and Zumba session led by Fitness First Oasis Branch. (Manama PE photo)
The candidates for Ms. Philippines Bahrain 2023. (Manama PE photo)
Some of the performers during the Philippine Festival (clockwise) Mix Twist Band, Mr. Khaled Salem Qasim, Ms. Karla Capalad, and the Magalak Choir. (Manama PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.manamape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinBahrain or https://www.instagram.com/phlinbahrain/.