23 October 2014 – Lulu Hypermarket, the biggest retail chain in the Middle East, has partnered with the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi in holding a Philippine Food Festival dubbed “Pinoy Fiesta” in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain which will run from October 16 to 25. During this period, a wide variety of Filipino products will be available in its stores.
The grand opening ceremony of the Pinoy Fiesta was held on October 16 at Al Wahda Mall and was attended by Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Grace Relucio Princesa who was the guest of honor for the event. The program began with the ribbon and cake cutting ceremony at the Lulu Supermarket, followed by a tour at the Supermarket where it showcased a variety of Filipino products such as canned goods, sauces, baked breads, and chips. The Ambassador sampled some Filipino cooked meals such as kare-kare, pansit, beef sisig, chicharon (chicken skin) and other delicacies like puto, kutsinta and buko pandan. A wider selection of fresh fruits from the Philippines was also available.
In her speech, the Ambassador shared that aside from fun places to see in the Philippines, fiber and fashion, furniture and fine arts, Filipinos should also be proud of its food and culinary tradition. She also thanked the Lulu Group management for promoting Filipino items and encouraged Filipinos in the UAE to buy Filipino products even if the cost would be higher than the usual.
Following the activities at the Lulu Supermarket, a concert was held at Al Wahda Mall’s Central Atrium which was organized by the Philippine Embassy. The evening saw live performances from the H2O Band, a well-known Filipino band based in Abu Dhabi, cultural and modern song and dance numbers from Filipino groups such as the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit at Mananayaw sa Abu Dhabi (OPMMAD), Brilliant Talent Kids, students from the Philippine schools in Abu Dhabi namely Philippine Emirates Private School and Twenty First Century Private Academy, and finalists of Star Ka Na! singing competition organized by Saturno Music Production. Around 500 Filipinos, locals and other expatriates watched the mini-concert.
The Pinoy Fiesta is Lulu’s marketing campaign to promote Philippine products by selling them at a lower price. The campaign has been launched in all Lulu Hypermarkets across the U.A.E. The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai were also present during the launching of Pinoy Fiesta in Lulu Hypermarket, Al Barsha, Dubai on October 16.
Ambassador Princesa also graced the launching of Pinoy Fiesta in Lulu Hypermarket, Al Kuwaitat and Lulu Hypermarket, Al Foah Mall, both in Al Ain on October 17. Filipino personnel and staff of both Hypermarkets rendered song and dance performances to celebrate the event. Ribbon-cutting and cake-cutting ceremonies were also held in both locations.
Lulu Hypermarket, the retail division of the multidimensional and multinational Lulu Group International has always been known as trend setter of the retail industry in the region. Lulu’s presence has gone beyond the cities of the U.A.E. and its retail stores have become the most preferred shopping destinations in Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and India. END
