Dubai
Filipinos gathered in a Dubai hall on Friday for an early celebration of the country’s Independence Day.The day is observed on June 12 — a date that marks the end of more than three centuries of Spanish rule.
But as that day coincides with Ramadan this year, organisers decided to hold the event, which took place inside the Dubai World Trade Centre, a whole month earlier.
Filipinos make up around six per cent of the UAE’s population, and one of its largest ethnic groups.
Paul Raymond Cortes |
“We are proud of what we have contributed,” Paul Raymond Cortes, Consul General for Dubai and Northern Emirates, told Gulf News.
“Not only in Philippines’s society, but in the global society as well, but especially in the United Arab Emirates.”
“[This is] our chance to show exactly who the Filipino is, what the Filipino soul is comprised of, and what the Filipino is able to contribute to the global society.”
As he spoke, dozens of Filipinos were heading to the packed hall. Some had arrived as early as 7am to see an opening parade. Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Constancio Vingno Jr. also addressed the community.
Inside the auditorium, a sea of hundreds watched a beauty pageant on a stage decked with red, blue, white, and yellow flags.
National pride
To the tune of a lazy saxophone, men in tuxedos and women in flowing evening gowns strutted on stage, soaking in bursts of applause.
Behind them, stalls sold jewellery, clothes, pastries and snacks. Other stalls had consultants offering legal help and money-transfer services. Another stall sold plug-in karaoke systems.
One of the highlights of the day was a performance by Filipino artist Rannie Raymundo, who serenaded his compatriots with his songs.
Rannie Raymundo and Norynell Hernandez winner of the singing competition
Filipino rock band Nexxus also performed.
One visitor to the event was Leo Capuno, who hails from Luzon, the largest among the archipelago nation’s 7,107 islands.
“For almost six years, I didn’t go back. I need to work and support my family back home,” he said.
“I was working in a restaurant, but now the restaurant is closed, so I’m looking for a job now. I hope I’ll get something.”
Outside, people lined up to chat to recruiters, while others slipped their resumes into drop-off boxes.
“I’m proud to be a Filipino,” said Anna Jalipa, a human resources professional who stood near the recruiting stands.
“Especially now that we have President [Rodrigo] Duterte, we have this unity, because we support him,” she added.
She was referring to her country’s new leader, who swept to victory a year ago with a pledge to crack down hard on crime.
“Since we were children, our parents taught us to be patriotic,” said Napoleon Castanares, who waited outside while his wife and son walked around the hall.
In the UAE since 1994, Castanares, is set to retire in November and go back to his hometown, Cebu. “Maybe I will do some business. My son wants to put up a car wash shop,” he said.
While the vast majority of people at the event were Filipino, a few other nationalities could be spotted among the crowd.
“I like Asian culture,” said Christian Sell, a third-generation German from Namibia.
“Their food, and their tradition.” “I’ve been to Singapore, I’ve been to Hong Kong, and I’d like to visit Thailand and the Philippines. I’m a friend of Asia.”
