In Abu Dhabi, Philippine Ambassador Constancio R. Vingno Jr. led a lively celebration at Dalma Mall with thousands of kababayans treated to various games, prizes and a cultural show dedicated to Philippine’s flag evolution.
Filipinos rank as the fourth largest expat community in the UAE. They came here because of better opportunities and to help their families back home but they never really left their native country in heart and in spirit.
This was evident at the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Friday as thousands of Filipinos from all ages gathered at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the country’s 118 years of independence after 333 years of colonial rule under Spain and the consequent establishment of the first constitutional republic in Asia.
“Nationalism knows no borders,” Sharon Gay Magsino, host at the Dubai event, told Khaleej Times. “So, wherever we are, be it in the Philippines or elsewhere, our love for our native land is always there.”
“We are also always ready to extend a helping hand to one another and here in the UAE, although we come from different parts of the Philippines, our hearts beat as one and we can proudly say that we come from a free country.”
