16 July 2012 - Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), under the leadership and guidance of Philippine Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa, celebrated the 114th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12 with a flag-raising ceremony and breakfast in the morning and a National Day Reception and Filipino 4Fs (Fun, Fine Arts, Food, and Fiber) Exhibit with the diplomatic corps in the evening.
The flag-raising ceremony, held at the Embassy Chancery, was attended by Philippine Government officials and leaders of Filipino Community organizations in the UAE. The flag-raising was followed by the reading of Independence Day messages of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Carmelita Dimzon by Welfare Officer James Mendiola; Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo by Commercial Attaché Jose Ma. Dinsay; Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz by Labor Attaché Atty. Nasser Munder; Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario by Consul General Jose Jacob; and President Benigno S. Aquino III by Ambassador Princesa. After the reading of messages, Ambassador Princesa also delivered her own address to Filipinos in the UAE.
Breakfast was served for the Filipino community leaders and members, and a magic show was put on by Pinoy Salamang Ka, a group of Filipino magicians based in Dubai.
The National Day Reception and 4Fs Exhibit in the evening were held at the Arzanah Ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel and Resort Abu Dhabi. The reception was graced by Minister of State Her Excellency Dr. Maitha Salem Al-Shamsi, who was the Embassy's 
guest of honor for the event, and the diplomatic corps. It was also attended by members of the Filipino community from all over the UAE.
Before inviting the guests to view the 4Fs Exhibit, Ambassador Princesa introduced Ms. Flordeliza Pesigan, a Filipino artist based in Dubai who paints while dancing, combining the visual and performing arts. Ms. Pesigan impressed the crowd with her performance, painting an image of a phoenix bird while dancing to the tune of a Filipino Muslim song in front of the live audience.
The Exhibit featured "Fun" in the Philippines (referring to the Philippines' new tourism slogan: "It's More Fun in the Philippines"); paintings by Filipino artists in the UAE; portraits by Filipino photographers; dresses and gowns by Filipino designers based in Dubai; abaca (a natural fiber endemic to the Philippines) furniture and accessories; and food prepared by Filipino celebrity chef Sharwin L. Tee (host of the Filipino Lifestyle Network's Curiosity Got the Chef) and chefs of the Mama Sita Foundation. END
