Philippine Ambassador Highlights Enduring Friendship of PH and UAE, Marks the Golden Relations of the Two Countries Over the Past 50 Years

Left Photo: PH Ambassador to UAE Alfonso A. Ver, together with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, during the reception to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of PH-UAE Diplomatic Relations at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Right Photo: PH Ambassador to UAE Alfonso A. Ver as he delivers his remarks during the reception to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of PH-UAE Diplomatic Relations held on 19 August 2024.

ABU DHABI 29 August 2024 - Philippine Ambassador to United Arab Emirates Alfonso A. Ver, and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, led the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Philippines – United Arab Emirates Diplomatic Relations held at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi on 19 August 2024.

The music and arts tribute, and food showcase highlighted the 50 years of friendship between the Philippines and the UAE. Among the highlights of the programme was the singing of the UAE and Philippine national anthems by Abu Dhabi-based Filipino Chorale, Abu Dhabi Concert Chorus, accompanied on piano by a young Emirati pianist diagnosed with autism, Ahmed Al Hashemi, and the sand artwork of the 50th Anniversary logo by UAE-based Filipino Sand Artist and Guinness World Record Holder Nathaniel Alapide. The 50th logo was designed by UAE-based and NCCA Visual Arts Awardee Architect Edcel Cabalan.

In his remarks, Ambassador Ver highlighted the strong friendship and solidarity between Filipinos with Emiratis and fellow expatriates in the UAE. “From  the very first Filipino migrants, to this day, now numbering almost one million, the friendship has endured and gained from strength to strength. In diplomacy we call this under the general term, people-to-people relations. In the context of the Philippines and the UAE, this goes beyond such relationship into brother-to-brother, sister-to-sister, and if I may paraphrase the words of Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah in his meeting with my President last June, Sheikh Abdullah said the relationship is “spiritual” well beyond people-to-people relations. The relationship continues to grow. After 50 years from the foundation of people-to-people relations, the entire manifold of bilateral relations have been enhanced, evolved, expanded into more substantive political, economic, environmental areas,” says Ambassador Ver.

 Musical and Dance Tribute

The special musical tribute included the special performances from young Filipino singer and an American Idol Semi-Finalist, Peter Rosalita, born and raised in Abu Dhabi; Filipino participants to the World Championship of Performing Arts (all based in UAE); piano performance of Ahmed Al Hashemi of renowned classical music and his very own composition; a showcase of Filipino music and culture with the performance of one of the Philippines’ folk dances “Singkil”; and a musical treat from Abu Dhabi Concert Chorus with their rendition of Filipino folk songs “Rosas Pandan” and “Chua-Ay”, and “Piliin Mo ang Pilipinas” as the finale of the programme.

Food Showcase

Guests were also treated to Filipino dishes especially curated by the chefs from Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental complimented by known Filipino brands such as Max’s Restaurant, Hot Palayok, including home-grown Filipino-owned food brands such as Off The Hook, Baofriend, Panaderia Bakery, Queen Saba, Filipino cheesecake by Five J, and Mama Sita’s products as tokens. The food showcase also highlighted Filipino alcoholic brands from San Miguel, Fundador, and Emperador with a curated selection of especially made Filipino cocktail drinks.

Pastry Chef Roderick Hinampas of FilFood especially created a cake which features a panoramic landscape of both the UAE and the Philippines, and the cake flavors combines flavors from the viral Dubai chocolates which uses local “kunafa”, local chocolate, and the Philippines’ very own ube.  

Art and Fashion Showcase

The celebration includes an art exhibition entitled, “UAE Through the Years: In the Eyes of the Filipinos” which showcases the works from award-winning Filipino photographers in the UAE. Twenty (20) photos of and about the UAE were selected to be part of the exhibition.

The art exhibit also included the watercolor paintings of scenes of historic Manila and iconic places in the UAE by Architect Edcel Cabalan, UAE-based artists and an NCCA Visual Arts Awardee.

Especially designed for the UAE “Kwento ng Alon” and “Bridging Horizons” artworks by visionary artist Kristine Lim were also showcased during the celebration.  “Kwento ng Alon” and “Bridging Horizons” celebrate the diversity of Filipino culture, honoring the interconnectedness of land and sea, recognizing the importance of protecting and establishing our sovereignty as a nation and as a people.

Filipino traditional ternos from Terno by TCG were also displayed during the reception including designs from Abu Dhabi-based fashion designer Aldwin “Jlo” Guardiana showcasing a fusion of Filipino and Emirati designs. 

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, UAE officials, members of the business and cultural communities in the UAE, and the Filipino community.

The landmark celebration of the deep relations between the Philippines and the UAE were presented by the Philippine Embassy and Sentro Rizal Abu Dhabi with the support from DFA-Office of Cultural Diplomacy, Land Bank of the Philippines, Prime Group and Filipino-owned businesses and friends of the Philippines in the UAE. END

For more information, visit https://www.abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinUAE/, https://twitter.com/PHinUAE  or https://www.instagram.com/phinuae/.