21 December 2018, Dubai, UAE --- The Philippine Consulate General and the Filipino Community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates held Bayanihan 2018, the Consulate’s and Community’s celebration of UAE National Day (which falls on 2 December) and the Christmas Holidays, at the World Trade Center on Friday 21 December 2018. Some 8-10,000 participated in this year’s edition of the Bayanihan, a 15-hour show that featured games, various competitions, and a mini-production of The Filipino Channel (TFC) with ABS CBN stars Sue Ramirez and Ronnie Alonte.

Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes delivered the Welcome Remarks, emphasizing the importance of the collaboration between the Consulate and the Filipino Community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. I added that a proactive engagement of the community is key towards a more empowered citizenship and an invigorated nation-building process for Filipinos.

One highlight of the Bayanihan was the OFW Dakilang Bayani Award given to outstanding members of the Filipino Community. Five (5) Filipinos were awarded for their invaluable community service. They were:  Dr Sharon Mendoza-Dreisbach, educator and cancer advocate; Jose Reynante Papel, entrepreneur; Jennifer Gonzales, school counsellor and educator; Sheryll Evangelista Bacay, entrepreneur and human

resource professional; and Romeo Puncia, a triathlete.

The Bayanihan is one of the two events organized by Dubai’s Filipino Community and the Philippine Consulate, the other one being Philippine Independence Day celebrations held in June.

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