28 June 2016 - As had been done for many years now during the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, led by Consul General Imelda M. Panolong and her spouse, Mr. Jamel U. Panolong, gathered for the traditional Iftar Dinner on June 19. The celebration was held at the Consulate’s Hall and was attended by the Consulate’s personnel, the attached agencies, as well as their families.

The event opened with the introduction of the newly arrived personnel, Mr. Abdulsalam Tanggol and Ms. Jesusa Villanueva, both from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Mr. Anthony M. Allermo of POLO/OWWA. In her welcome remarks, Consul General Panolong thanked everyone for coming and extended her Ramadan greetings to all and wished for a very pious month ahead. She also welcomed the presence of DFA representatives from Manila, Executive Director Ricardo M. Endaya, Principal Assistant Joel M. Peralta, SDO Omar M. Pangarungan who are in the country to assist overseas Filipino workers stranded in work camps of Saudi Oger, MMG, Saudi bin Laden Group; as well as Mr. Mohd. Noordin N. Lomondot and Mr. Nasser Macarimbang, SDO, who all joined the Iftar Dinner celebration.

The event was made more meaningful for Consul General Panolong and her family as it was her first Iftar Dinner with the Consulate family. And for the first time, traditional cuisines of the Tausug, Maranao and Maguindanao tribes were served during the dinner, in celebration of diversity in the Consulate’s community. All the guests enjoyed tiola itum, beef randang, chicken pastil, yellow rice, and all-time favorites such as lumpia, fried chicken, laing and Filipino-style spaghetti. Special dates, assorted fresh fruits, laban and other juices were also served to break the fast. Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. END