DOHA - The vibrant celebration of the 126th Philippine Independence Day in Qatar, jointly organized by the Oryx Knights Eagles Club (OKEC) and Creative Events Management & Services, is set to take place from June 20 to June 22, 2024, at the Ezdan Palace Hotel in Duhail.
This year's celebration, themed "MAKULAY ANG KALAYAAN 2024" (Our Colorful Freedom), promises a lively array of cultural presentations, competitions, trade fair exhibitions, authentic cuisine, a motor show, and appearances by inspiring celebrities from the Philippines.
During a press conference on June 10 at the Swiss Belinn, the organizing committee, led by OKEC Charter President Joseph Timothy Rivera, Creative Events Cluster Director Mrs. Kamila Bellamlih, events advisor Dr. Jeanette Gotangogan, and Filipino Association of Manpower Services (FAMS) Chairman Mr. Juan Paolo Ferrer unveiled pioneering programs and activities designed to make this year's celebration truly meaningful.
The festivities will commence on June 20 with an opening gala dinner, launching the event’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. These include support for children with cancer at Hamad General Hospital and skills enhancement programs for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Qatar, in partnership with FAMS. The event will also address the need for additional Filipino schools in Qatar. Attendees will enjoy musical performances by select Filipino bands in Qatar, as well as ethnic and contemporary acts by students from the Philippine International School of Qatar and the Philippine School Doha, including Middle East finalists for the Dance World Cup in Prague.
The highlight of the celebration will be on June 21, beginning with the traditional community parade/sagala, followed by a grand opening ceremony attended by Philippine embassy officials, visiting VIPs, community leaders, and the general public. Philippine Senator Loren Legarda will join the ceremonies virtually. The day’s program will feature various performances and culminate in the pageant finals of the Ginoo at Binibining Agila ng Kalayaan (Mr & Miss Eagles of Freedom). The winning contestant will advance to the Miss Philippine Eagles 2024 pageant in Manila, hosted by The Fraternal Order of Eagles – Philippines Eagles (TFOE-PE), with over one million pesos in cash prizes at stake. This pageant supports the First 1,000 Days of a Child (F1KD) initiative.
Rivera announced that over 86 Filipino organizations have confirmed participation in the morning parade, expressing confidence that this year's attendance will surpass previous years. "We are overwhelmed with the community’s support and grateful for the collaboration of this year’s executive committee composed of 12 leading organizations," he added. Special performances supporting the Philippine government’s campaign, including a rendition of the Bagong Pilipinas hymn, will also be part of the event, reflecting the community’s support for Presidential Memorandum Circular No. 52.
The two-day Filipino food, trade, and service exhibitions will continue on June 22, featuring special livelihood seminars, CSR activities, community awards, and the celebration of Philippine Eagles Week, under Presidential Proclamation No. 600-1995 by the late President Fidel V. Ramos. All four active Eagles clubs in Qatar will converge for this milestone event.
Mrs. Bellamlih assured that the celebration will deliver a spectacular world-class experience, enhanced by cutting-edge entertainment systems from Kobeco Concept and the elite event management team of Creative Events. Traditional raffle prizes, including round-trip airline tickets to the Philippines, travel certificates, staycation vouchers, and novelty items, will be offered. Exclusive vouchers for Meryal Water Park will also be available at promotional rates.
The 126th Philippine Independence Day celebration in Qatar promises to be an unforgettable event, bringing together the Filipino community in a joyous and meaningful commemoration of their heritage.
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