The Philippine community in the Eastern Province is celebrating the country’s 112th Independence Day through cultural programs, food festivals and blood donation campaigns.
On Wednesday, Filipinos turned up in large numbers at Lulu Hypermarket for the opening of a 10-day Philippine Festival organized by the popular chain.
Lulu Hypermarket. Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ranopamas/
David Des T. Dicang, the labor attaché at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, inaugurated the event in the presence of Philippine community leaders and Lulu managers.
There are nearly 1.4 million Filipinos expatriates in the Kingdom. Of them nearly 400,000 work and reside in the Eastern Province cities of Dammam, Dhahran, Alkhobar, Jubail, Al-Hasa, Qatif, Hafr Al-Batin, Ras Tanura and Al-Khafji.
“You will find some of the highly talented and industrious Filipinos here in the Eastern Province,” said Dicang. “Since the oil and gas industry is based here we have very many engineers, architects, doctors, teachers, nurses and other professionals in this region.”
He said the Philippine Independence Day is officially celebrated on June 12 every year. “But since it falls on Saturday which is a working day, the community decided to hold these celebrations over the weekends. We have had a very successful cultural show in Jubail on Friday last. This Friday there is an interesting cultural program at the International Philippine School in Alkhobar,” he said.
Lydia G. Milag, the school principal, who was also present during the inauguration, said it is going to be a gala show.
Dicang said during the celebrations Filipinos remember the sacrifices of their forefathers. “It is a time to recall our past and to get together as one community to strengthen our bonds. It is not without a reason that all 70 Filipino expatriate organizations here in the Eastern Province have come together for these celebrations.”
On the Philippine Festival at Lulu, Dicang said: “We are touched by the hypermarket’s gesture. For them to remember us on this important occasion means a lot to us. It is a great feeling to see our flags flying in the hypermarket,” said Dicang.
He complimented the managers at Lulu for understanding the Filipino taste quite well. “They know what we like and their display is fantastic. It is a very homely atmosphere in here,” he said. “More importantly, Lulu has been importing products directly from the Philippines. When you do that it means there will be more jobs in the Philippines. So we Filipinos have begun to feel that sense of attachment.”
Lulu Regional Manager Abdul Basheer said Lulu Hypermarket is not just a shopping place. “Through such festivals we aim to strengthen our bonds with various local and expatriate communities. The Filipinos are among our favored customers. We have tried to ensure that we meet their expectations and make them happy on their important occasion,” he said and appreciated the efforts of Pagasa Vice Chairman Robert Punzalan and Lulu Fresh Food Operations Manager Edgar Aberin in helping organize the festival.
The festival runs for 10 days and prices on many Filipino products have been cut down as part of the celebrations.
Next week, 300 Filipinos are expected to donate blood at King Fahd Hospital. “This is our way of saying ‘Thank You’ to Saudi Arabia and its people for hosting us and providing us with a second home,” said Dicang. “Nothing can be more precious than blood.”
Source: Arab News
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