4 July 2012 - The Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community organizations in Lebanon joined hands to present the 2012 Philippine Independence Day Cultural Show at the historic United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) Palace in Beirut last July 1.
In her welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah B. Ruiz paid tribute to the groups of Filipinos who have shared their time and talents to perform and showcase popular and favorite dances such as Tinikling, Banga, Pagapir, Subli, La Jota Moncadeña, Wasiwas, Binoyugan and Kapa Malong Malong and to give a rousing rendition of classic original Pilipino music (OPM) songs and hits such as George Canseco's Ikaw, Ryan Cayabyab's Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika, Ogie Alcasid's Kailangan ko'y Ikaw, and VST and Company's Awitin mo at Isasayaw ko.
The numbers were warmly applauded by the Lebanese audience led by the guest of honor, the Honorable Mr. Hanna El Amil, Acting Director General of the Ministry of Culture and Interim President of the National Conservatory of Music of Lebanon, who represented H.E. Minister of Culture Gaby Layoun. Also present was the Director of the UNESCO Palace, Mr. Antoine Harb.
Before claiming the prizes, the winners had to give the answers to the questions posed by the Embassy's Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Officer Edwin Batallones.
Ambassador Ruiz warmly congratulated the recipients of the OWWA Plaques of Appreciation which were presented by POLO Labor Attaché Irma Valiente and OWWA Welfare Officer Lenny Tarrobago, as follows: Evangelical Church Ministry, received by Sister Jocelyn Sillador; INSAN Association, received by Dr. Charles Nasrallah; Caritas physician Dr. Georges Najem; Caritas Lebanon Migrants Center, received by Director Ms. Najla Chahda; and 83-year old Father Theo Vlugt, S.J., who received a standing ovation from all Filipinos present in recognition of his tenacious battle for the rights and welfare of all migrant workers in Lebanon.
In the raffle draw for the prize of plane tickets for two to the Philippines, Father Theo won the draw to the loud acclaim of everyone present.
The Ambassador also presented Plaques of Appreciation to the sponsors of the show - Mr. Michael Abdelnoor, Manager of Bank of Beirut (BOB) Finance Western Union, and Mr. Joe Chamoun, Regional Manager of Etihad Airways.
In the closing ceremonies, she presented plaques of appreciation to the six singers as well as certificates of appreciation and cash gifts to the dancers, courtesy of BOB Finance Western Union.
