A dance performance to mark the Independence Day.
Doha, Qatar: The Philippine Embassy in Qatar commemorated the 125th Philippine Independence Day yesterday in the country.
The celebration was marked by two events - flag raising ceremony in Cultural Village Katara in the morning, and as the evening fell, several prominent towers in Qatar, including the Torch Tower, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, and Al Jaber Twin Tower Lusail, illuminated their facades with the Philippine flag.
This year’s theme, “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.” (Freedom. Future. History.), focused on the hard-fought freedom that the Philippine forebears struggled for, the future they dreamed for the country, and the history that Filipinos seek to remember and honour.
Katara General Manager, Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti (centre), Philippine Ambassador to Qatar H E Lillibeth Pono (second right) along with other officials during the ceremony.
H E Lillibeth Pono, the Philippine Ambassador to Qatar, in a message, reflected on the historical context of the country’s independence. “On this day a hundred and twenty-five years ago, in the waning years of the centuries-long occupation by Spanish colonizers, Filipino revolutionary forces declared the independence of the Philippine islands.”
She emphasised the enduring cultural and historic ties that bind Filipinos, transcending the physical distance between Qatar and the Philippines. “Despite the stretch of land and seas that separate us in Qatar from the Philippines, the cultural and historic ties that bind us as Filipinos endure. Because ours is a shared history of tragedies and triumphs, of resilience and hope, and of a love for the country that transcends time and space.”
The envoy drew parallels between the resilience and hope demonstrated by Filipinos throughout history and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, expressing optimism for better years ahead.
Looking forward, Pono acknowledged the enormous tasks that lie ahead for the Philippines. Guided by national development plans, socio-economic agendas, and a long-term vision called Ambisyon Natin 2040, the country aims to achieve a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life for all Filipinos.
Pono stressed the importance of collective effort in realising this vision and overcoming challenges such as inequality, technological gaps, climate change, and misinformation.
In the meantime, preparations are all set for the grand Philippine Independence Day celebration (PIDC) in Qatar, scheduled for June 23 at Sheraton, PIDC Organising Committee Chairman Jyerex Abrasado told The Peninsula.
The event, with an expected attendance of 30,000 aims to showcase the diverse culture, delicious food, vibrant fashion, and colourful festivals of the Philippines.
He explained that the celebration will provide an immersive and interactive experience, allowing attendees to experience the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of the Southeast Asian country under the local theme “Fiesta Filipinas” (Philippine festivals).
