(All photos taken  by Domingo DH P. Herras)
 
IT was an evening of historical renaissance and an unforgetable  momentuous rejuvenations, as the Philippine Mission’s month-long celebrations of the 112^th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence finally concludes with the holding of the culmination night dubbed “Filipino Community Night “held at the pool side of the Riyadh Palace Hotel Friday.

 
     Madam Rose Marie Villamor, Directress of the FILCOM Night  welcomed the more than 500 Filipino community leaders who attended the ceremony. “Tonight marks the culmination of the 112^th Philippine Independence day month –long activities.  It is also a milestone in our history as exactly five days from now, we will have our new President – Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III. A new President –a new beginning.”
 
      Villamor  also lauded the performance and unstinting support to the Phil. economy of the more than 1.3 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom .“It is therefore fitting, that as we celebrate the birth of our nation, we give honor to all Filipinos, who rised above difficult circumstances and strive for excellence in their respective fields.  We are fortunate to have such dedicated men and women right here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, very much much present tonight, all of you present tonight  our very own - the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWS).
 
     She also bades farewell to Labor Attache Rusty dela Fuente who will unwind his tour of duty in the labor force in Kingdom. “Tonight’s program with true since of community, solidarity and wholehearted cooperation of once behind the scene, mostly our outgoing Labor Attache Rusty dela Fuente. Rusty has undeniably has put his heart and soul into tonight’s program”, Villamor said in her message.

 
     The simple  ceremony  commenced with the Holy Prayers led by Engr. Muhammad Mua and Welfare Officer Nestor P. Burayag.  The Philippine National Anthem was led by Ms. Rosalinda Quiano.  The Independence Day messages by Secretary Marianito Roque of the Labor and Employment was read by Labor Attache Albert Q. Valenciano; Secretary Alberto Romulo of Foreign Affairs was read by Consul Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr.; President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Office of the President and Ambassador’s  Message  was read by Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor. The master of ceremonies is Labor Attache Rustico “Rusty” dela Fuente.  The role of Gen.Emilio Aguinaldo with full battle gear and attire was played by Elmer Aquino.
 
     Coinciding with Migrant Workers Week, the month- long festivities kicks-off June 4 with a brief seminar on Financial Literacy Briefing to OFWs  conducted by the Bureau of Treasury Officials.  On the same day Health and Information Drive and Services was held where some 250 OFWs were given free medical and dental orientation and assistance.  The Philippine Health Insurance (PHILHEALTH) was introduced to the Filipino community in Riyadh held at the basement of Phil. Embassy with the formal endorsement and  singning of agreement  held at the Riyadh Palace Hotel on the evening of June 4, 2010. Coordinators of the above events were Consul Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr,Welfare Officer Jose Tomas V. Octavio, and Outgoing Labor Attache Rusty dela Fuente.
 
      Ambassador Antonio  Villamor and her beloved wife  Madam Rose Marie  opened the Photo Exhibit on the afternoon of June 4, 2010. “The Ambassador’s Choice Award”was conferred to the Ultramedia International Foundation (UMIF), winning the “Best Photograph”.  Philippine Airlines stewardees graced the exhibit upon invitation of the Philippine Embassy. 112 photos were exhibited at the Mabini Hall, Phil. Embassy with entries from the Cameraderie Club, UMIF, SOFIQS, PICE and Angkop Gawad Kalinga.  Photography Exhibitions were supervised by Second Secretary Anthony E. Balagtas.
 
     Among the exciting highlights of the festivities is the June 11 event -  the “Sportsfest and Food Festival” (Palaro at Pagkaing Pilipino). The “culliot”(tug of war), sack race and patintero was the outdoor team event played, likewise with the individual outdoor event like sungka, bunong-braso and dama where students, individuals and adult participants were overflowing coming from Al Danah Intl. School, Future Generation Phil. Intl Schoo, Al Taj Intl. School, Elite Intl. School. FAWAQ, and Palm Crest Intl. School and Filipino community organizations.


     The “Food Festival”Exhibit area was most frequently visited by foreigners and “kababayans” were a unique and mouth-watering Filipino dishes were sold and displayed. Among the exhibitors are Phil. Association  of Value Engineers, Inc., United OFW, Manggagawang Magkakapit Bisig, Tulong at Lingkod sa mga OFWs, Triskelion Alumni Organization, Alpha Kappa Rho and CFC.  Other Companies who offered their products and services were  SSS, Western Union, GMA/ORBIT Pinoy Plus, Telemoney, ENJAZ,   Computer Society of Filipinos, Intl. (COMSOFIL), Trans-Fast and Pag-Ibig Fund. All of the above events were coordinated by Vice-Consul Roussel R. Reyes.
    
     Ambassador Villamor together with the entire Philippine Embassy staff and personnel  on the morning of June 12 hoisted the Philippine National flag as the actual date of its acquisition of its Independence . Another successful project that has help and benefited OFWs in the Kingdom, more particularly our less fortunate and distressed OFWs, students, and the average Filipino overseas workers,  teachers who have availed of the f 3-minute  free telephone and  the 10-min. internet YM chatting was the “Libreng Tawag sa Pinas Handog kay Kabayan”. The annual project is a  joint project of the Computer Society of Filipinos Intl. (COMSOFIL),  Philippine Embassy and the POLO-OWWA.
 
     As part of the continuing celebration of the Philippine IndependenceDay, the Phillipine Mission hosted a  Diplomatic Night  commemorative program held at the Cultural Palace, Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh last June 13, 2010.  The momentuous celebration  was attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps, Filipino community leaders, guests and Embassy staff and personnel. The event was coordinated by Cultural Affairs Officer Madam  Rose Malicse.
 
     A special live concert dubbed “Konsyerto ng Kalayaan” was successfully held June 17 which featured TFC Popstar Grand Middle East Champion, Miss Kimberly Molina.  A movie entitled “Ded na si Lolo” was shown  courtesy of GMA7 Pinoy Plus/ORBIT OSN which  was honored and represented by Ms. Boots Anson-Roa and Nestor Torre of the MOWELFUND. An oratorical contest was also held June 24, with some 8 international schools joined the event.  All of the above events was held at the Liwasang Bonifacio, Multi-purpose Court of the Phil. Embassy.
 
               The Philippine Mission in its continuing effort to bring the government closer to the Filipino community in cooperation with the Filipino Community Organizations, the POLO and OWWA particularly the more than 1.3  million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) residing and working in Riyadh and some parts of the Middle East, had jointly  launched a month-long series of activities as its culminating point for the Independence Day celebrations in the Kingdom
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