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PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN ABU DHABI PROMOTES CULTURAL AND TRADE EXCHANGES IN THE 107th INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
04 July 2005 -- The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the promotion of cultural and trade exchanges between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates has been the highlight of the 107th Independence Day celebration in this Arab state.
In his speech, Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan highlighted the continued warm relations between the Philippines and the UAE and said that “the Philippine government is grateful to the UAE as it continues to host overseas Filipinos,” and hopes that “more cultural and trade exchanges will take place in the coming years.”
Ambassador Cabactulan reported that all the lined-up activities for the occasion were all successful because of the commendable participation of the Filipino community. The major activities to celebrate the 107th Independence Day consisted of the following:
· a two-day Entrepreneurship Seminar;Featuring an introduction to doing business and investing in the Philippines, the entrepreneurship seminar conducted at the Filipino Workers Resource Center by the Philippine Business Council attracted overseas Filipinos interested in compounding their hard-earned money over the usual remittances. The seminar also launched a series of interactive seminars that aimed to convey information and create business networking for Filipinos overseas.
· an exhibit of Philippine paintings;
· a piano concert by Dr. Raul M. Sunico at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Tanaw Kultura,
· a cultural presentation at the National Theatre, unity games, a medical mission and the traditional June 12th flag raising ceremony.
The seminar series aimed to go beyond generalities by facilitating a conducive environment for the Filipino entrepreneurial spirit to thrive in the conduct of sustainable projects that can prepare them for reintegration into society back home after their economic sojourn abroad.
An exhibit of Philippine paintings featuring Mr. Reggie Macapagal, Mr. Gerry Bantang, Mr. Darwin Guevarra and Ms. Liz Panzo was held at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation on June 5 in tandem with the piano concert of the Philippines' renowned pianist, Dr. Raul Sunico. Dr Sunico rendered classical pieces to a standing ovation.
On June 6, Dr. Sunico gave a lecture on the evolution of Philippine Music from indigenous times through the Spanish Occupation to recent history. Interspersed with musical demonstrations of specific periods in the Philippines' musical evolution, rendered by Dr. Sunico himself on the piano, the lively and rich lecture awed an audience highly appreciative of the information conveyed. Dr. Sunico held a concert performance on June 9 at the National Theater as a prelude to Tanaw Kultura, a cultural presentation featuring the Santacruzan Festival, Philippine folk dances and a drama/skit performance.
On June 10, finals for the unity games were held at the Al Jazeera Sports Stadium also simultaneous with a medical mission. The unity games for the Ambassador's Cup featured championships in basketball, bowling, volleyball, chess, billiards, darts and others.
The Embassy also hosted
a diplomatic reception held at the Liwa'Majlis Ballroom of Abu Dhabi's
Intercontinental Hotel on 31 May 2005. Graced by the UAE's Minister of
Energy Al Hamili as guest of honor, the diplomatic reception was well attended
by members of the Diplomatic Community and Filipinos in the UAE. Guests
were very impressed with a Dubai-based Filipino choir's a capella rendering
of the national anthems of the UAE and RP. END
/jay