PH Embassy in Damascus Celebrates Women’s Month Week 3 with Legal Aid and Cinema
Atty. Omar Al-Zaim, Chargé d' Affaires, a.i Vida Soraya Verzosa, and Mr. Ramzi Habash at the Free Legal Aid Clinic (Damascus PE photo)
DAMASCUS 21 March 2022 — The Philippine Embassy in Damascus wowed the Filipino-Syrian community and its international Facebook Live audience with tearjerker cinema classics, a free legal aid clinic, and a serenading of love songs during its National Women’s Month Celebration on 20 March 2022 at the Filipino Workers Resource Center.
The “Pelikula aa Pasuguan” featured the classic “INSIANG”, the first Philippine film ever shown at the Cannes film festival, starring Hilda Koronel, Mona Lisa, Ruel Vernal, and Rez Cortez. It was directed by the National Artist for film, the late Lino Brocka. This was followed by the ethereally beautiful “K’NA THE DREAMWEAVER”, starring Mara Lopez, RK Bagatsing, Nonie Buencamino, and Bembol Roco, directed by Ida Anita Del Mundo. Director Del Mundo gave a short message to the international audience. This was part of the Film Development Council of the Philippines program for assisting Embassies in their cultural diplomacy thrust.
To raise awareness on Syrian laws on women and migrant workers, Atty. Omar Al-Zaim joined Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Vida Soraya Verzosa and Mr. Ramzi Habash in explaining the law in Arabic, English, and Filipino through the Facebook Live Free Legal Aid Clinic under the program, “Katarungan Para sa Kalahatan.” Most of the questions raised were on the rights of women and their importance in the community. One viewer commented: “The importance of taking firmer measures to eliminate all forms of violence against women, enhance the protection of their rights, and raise public awareness about this issue and the violations it entails, in order to create an environment in which women can exercise their legally and legally guaranteed rights.” The Facebook Live (https://fb.watch/bZtaxZcwHX/) received a total of 73 reactions, 65 comments, 10 shares and 933 views.
As part of the weekly surprise, purple paper hearts from Post’s male personnel containing messages of inspiration and appreciation for women were distributed to the female Filipino Community audience and Embassy personnel. Delighting the audience with another surprise song number, Mr. Raed Hawat sang the Josh Groban ballad, “You Are Loved,” while the ladies read the special love notes from the purple hearts.
The guests all enjoyed the Filipino food served by the in-house Chef of the Embassy as they took selfies with inspirational placards at the #WOMENMAKECHANGE Photo Wall designed by the Philippine Commission on Women. END
The international audience enjoy popcorn while watching award-winning films (Damascus PE photo)
Director Ida Anita Del Mundo giving her Special Message to the Audience at "Pelikula Sa Pasuguan" Week 3 (Damascus PE photo)
Free Legal Aid Clinic Facebook Live Setup at the FWRC Shelter (Damascus PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.damascuspe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSyria/, https://twitter.com/PHinSyria or https://www.instagram.com/phinsyria/.