PHILIPPINE EMBASSY, ABU DHABI ENGAGES FILIPINO COMMUNITY
MEMBERS IN SEVERAL INDEPENDENCE DAY ACTIVITIES IN UAE 

28 June 2006—The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)  reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that  with the active support and participation of the Filipino community, the Embassy organized several activities to celebrate the commemoration of the 108^th anniversary of Philippine independence.  

The activities included competitions in sports and cultural activities, including an on-the-spot painting contest participated in by Filipino schoolchildren, a flag-raising ceremony, and the launching of a charitable foundation for the benefit of Filipinos in UAE at a charity gala dinner and fashion show. 

The sports events were held every Friday from 21 April 2006 onwards at the Al Jazeera Sports dub in Abu Dhabi in connection with the Second Ambassador's Cup (Unity Games 2006).  Competitions covered different categories in the following sports activities, basketball, volleyball, bowling, swimming, lawn tennis, table tennis, billiards, chess, checkers (dama), and darts. The championship games and awarding ceremonies were held on 09 June 2006 as part of the celebrations marking the 108^th anniversary of Philippine independence. 

A cultural presentation themed "Dangal ng Lahi" was held on June 8 at the National Theatre, featuring a two-part show of talent in singing and dancing as well as a drama-musicale presentation of the last days of Rizal's life in Dapitan and Fort Santiago with a cast from the Filipino community and the Philippine Embassy personnel. 

The cultural night also featured an exhibit of the winning paintings from the On-the-Spot Painting Contest meant to harness the creativity and skills of the Filipino youth in the UAE and to nurture their national identity. The paintings continue to be on display at the Chancery's Consular Section for public view. 

A diplomatic reception hosted by Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan and Madame Remedios Fe Cabactulan held on 10 June 2006 at the Al Qasr Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel in Abu Dhabi capped the Independence Day celebrations. H.E. Mohammed Nukhaira Al Dhaheri, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs, & Awqaf, was the guest of honor at the reception. 

In a brief statement during the reception, Ambassador Cabactulan acknowledged the hospitality extended by the UAE government, particularly its leaders, to the Filipino people in the United Arab Emirates and re-affirmed the appreciation of the Philippine government and the Filipino people for the friendly ties between the two countries. 

On 12 of June 2006, the Philippine flag was raised in an early morning ceremony attended by the Philippine Embassy personnel and the Filipino community at the Embassy's grounds. Following the flag-raising and the laying of a bouquet for our national hero, Jose Rizal, in the Chancery's lobby, the Independence Day messages of the President, the Vice President and Cabinet Secretaries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Labor were read by Ambassador Cabactulan and the Embassy's officers.  

In his own statement, the Ambassador recalled the sacrifices of our heroes to gain our liberty and freedom and, in gratitude for these sacrifices, he exhorted the Filipinos to build stronger ties within the community to be able to contribute in turn to strengthen our republic. The flag raising ceremony was capped by Ambassador and Madame Cabactulan with the cutting of the ceremonial cake and hosting a breakfast reception for the Filipino community in attendance as patriotic songs played in the background. 

/gary