Thousands attend ‘Emirates Loves the Philippines’ celebration

Over 20,000 people attended a grand public celebration held to mark the 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence in Dubai on Saturday.

The guest of honour was Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence who joined Alfonso Ferdinand, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the UAE, several Emirati officials, and many diplomatic, economic, and social figures from the Filipino community.

The event was organised by the "UAE Loves the Philippines" page, in collaboration with Dubai Police, to celebrate the close ties between the two countries and enhance the bonds of cooperation.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak praised the solid relations between the UAE and the Philippines and the strategic cooperation that unites them in various fields.

He emphasised the eagerness of both countries to explore new avenues of collaboration and elevate their relations to higher levels, achieving a strategic economic partnership.

He also commended the significant efforts of the Filipino community and their contributions to the developmental journey of the UAE.

Sheikh Nahyan noted that the UAE has established itself as a unique global model for embracing and celebrating cultural diversity, where various nationalities coexist in harmony, tolerance, and respect for everyone's rights.

He added that the celebration reflects the UAE's genuine approach to honoring different cultures and building bridges that bring countries and peoples closer together, fostering stability, prosperity, and development efforts worldwide.

The celebration, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, highlighted Filipino culture and the contributions of the Filipino community to the UAE's sustainable development journey. It included a variety of cultural and artistic activities, including musical performances and folkloric dances representing various aspects of Filipino culture, as well as showcases of Filipino crafts and arts. 

The UAE and the Republic of the Philippines share strong relations, even prior to the formal establishment of diplomatic relations on 19 August 1974, followed by the opening of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi on 17 June 1980 and the UAE Embassy in Manila in 1989.

The UAE is home to hundreds of thousands of Filipinos who consider the country their second home, living and working in safety and security.