Filipinos celebrate 112 years of freedom

Expatriates gathered at their embassy to celebrate the anniversary of Philippine independence.

Spectators enjoy traditional music and dance routines celebrating Philippine Independence Day at Khalidiyah Mall in Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI // Filipino expatriates filled with "patriotic fervour" gathered at their embassy in the capital yesterday to mark the anniversary of the country's independence with the unfurling of their nation's flag. As they sang the national anthem, many looked back on the achievements made since revolutionary forces overthrew Spanish colonial rule 112 years ago.

The flag raising, led by Grace Princesa, the Philippine ambassador, was mirrored by a similar event at the consulate in Dubai, attended by diplomats and members of the Filipino community. "People woke up early today to see our national flag raised," said the ambassador. "Their hearts were burning with patriotic fervour." On June 12 each year, the Philippines celebrates the anniversary of the first public reading of the Act of the Declaration of Independence in 1898.

Ms Princesa read extracts from an Independence Day message to Filipinos overseas, written by the outgoing Philippine president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. "Independence 2010: The Nation's Success", is the theme of this year's celebration, which "highlights the many successes and triumphs we have achieved as a nation", Ms Arroyo said. "It also reminds us of the many goals and dreams we have yet to achieve for our country."

Ms Arroyo will be succeeded by Benigno Aquino III when he takes the oath of office as the country's 15th president on June 30. "President Arroyo posed a challenge to us," Ms Princesa said. "She wants us all to support the Aquino presidency and the government's vision for a corruption-free and poverty-free Philippines. We will come up with a three-year strategic plan in the UAE because a community without a vision will perish."

"When the Philippine flag was hoisted and we sang our national anthem, I really felt our community's sense of nationalism and pride in our country," said Mariam al Azizi, a bank worker in Abu Dhabi who acquired Emirati citizenship seven years ago. "I will never forget my homeland. I was born in the Philippines; nothing has changed except for my passport." Edwin D'Souza, an Indian businessman in the capital who attended the event with his Filipina wife, Fredelina, said: "Being here makes me feel I am really part of the community. My heart is with Filipinos as they celebrate their national day."

Today, senior Government officials and foreign diplomats will join members of the Filipino community and diplomatic corps in commemorating the national day at the InterContinental Hotel in Abu Dhabi. A collage of more than 100 photos of Filipinos in the Emirates will be unveiled at the reception. Rex Michael Mendoza, a designer in Abu Dhabi, worked on the collage, which is made up of three panels with the Philippine flag as a backdrop.

"We want to highlight the achievements of Filipino workers and their contribution to the UAE," said Mr Mendoza, who is a member of Shootercada, a Filipino photography club in Abu Dhabi. Rene Mallo, a health, safety and environment officer at Abu Dhabi Gas Industries (Gasco) in Ruwais, is featured in the collage. He arrived in the UAE in 1979 and worked as a bartender at a Dubai hotel. "Life was so simple back then," he said. "There were a few buildings and 80 per cent of the Emirates was desert land."

A copy of Mr Mallo's passport and visa page in 1979, old family photos and a picture of him with the former Philippine president Joseph Estrada in 1996 when he was still the country's vice president are included in the collage. Wilma Avila, who worked as a tutor for an Emirati family's four children from 1986 to 1988, said it was an honour to have some of her photos posted on the collage. She was a junior secretary at Elenco Emirates Group in Abu Dhabi in 1990, and now works as an executive secretary. "We should feel proud of what we have become," she said. "Not all Filipinas here are working as housemaids."

Nearly 600,000 Filipinos, or 12 per cent of the UAE population, live and work in the country, according to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas in Manila. Filipinos are invited to attend several events at their embassy this month, including a financial management seminar on Friday, and a film showing on Saturday. First aid and fire safety training, and a photography workshop will be held on June 25. The month-long celebrations will end with an Appreciation Day at the residence of the Philippine ambassador on June 26.

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