Filipinos present a thrilling performance during the Independence celebration in Riyadh.

Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago led his expat community to celebrate the 116th Independence Day anniversary here on Friday night.

“We’re happy indeed to welcome you and be with you tonight to celebrate the Philippine Independence Day and recall the sacrifices of our heroes in fighting for freedom,” Tago said.

Recalling previous functions on the similar occasion, Alex Bello, the Overseas Filipino Workers Congress-Riyadh president, said: “This celebration is really different from the past when the Filipino community, including the Philippine international schools, would help prepare the function.”

While praising the program, Benny M. Quiambao, a community leader, said: “Such kind of celebration is the first time that the embassy after many years. It is successfull and we congratulate the embassy officials,” he said.

Community leaders Alina Articulo of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSH & RC) and Robert Ramos, president of Samahan ng mga
Manggagawang Pilipino sa Al Babtain (SAMAPIL) among others, were also present at the function.

A footage of President Benigno Aquino III’s speech during the celebration in the Philippines was also shown, which was followed by a dance presentation, “I am But a Small Voice,” which was organized by Gloria Jean C. Zafra and in which several of the embassy officials and staff participated.

Farrah Dingal presented an interpretative dance, “Dalagang Pilipina” (Filipino Woman), followed by the Philippine Embassy Choir, which rendered an Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

The popular dance “Pandanggo sa Ilaw” (Dance with Light) was performed under the supervision of Perlita V. Panganiban and embassy spouses. It made the crowd nostalgic because it is not only popular in the Philippines but also in other countries where there are Filipinos. It was

Alferez sang “Kahit Isang Saglit” (Even Only for One Moment) while Mary Jennifer D. Dingal, second secretary and consul, belted out “Ikaw” (You).

Mae I. Galvez followed by singing “Dakilang Lahi” (Great Race).

New members of the mission were welcomed and personnel due for recall were announced.

Rustico M. Dela Fuente, labor attache of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh (POLO-Riyadh), delivered the closing remarks.

At the end of the program the Filipino food in different varieties was served for the guests.