Philippine Welfare Officer Ron Lionel Bartolome led the Filipino community in opening the festival of Philippine products, one of the highlights of the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in the Eastern Province. (SG photo by Joe Avancena) The day's highlights included cultural presentations, speeches, painting and photo exhibitions, songs, and cheering and sports competitions. Mohd. Nooding Pendosina Lomondot, Consul and first secretary and head of the consular section of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, led his compatriots in the twin-celebration that was attended by some 300 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) representing various community organizations and officials from Philippine schools in the Eastern Province. Delivering the keynote speech, Lomondot called upon OFWs to continuously support their country, while at the same time observing the laws of the host nation. Philippine embassy Welfare Officer Ron Lionel Bartolome also called upon the Filipino community in the region to remain committed and dedicated to their tasks as migrant workers in order to avoid problems within their workplaces. “While our welfare programs for our workers are steadfast, you should also be aware of your responsibilities to your job and employers,” Bartolome said in his closing remarks. The celebrations kicked off with prayers by Ustad Bajunaid Andi and Mary Jane P. Tupas. Abdul Fettah Ennayl, Director of the Mohammad Dossary Hospital and long-term friend and supporter of Filipinos, delivered the inspirational message. The celebration was also marked with a festival of Philippine products, imported all the way from the Philippines, which was held at Lulu Superstores and attended by Filipino community leaders and Filipino schoolchildren. The cultural presentations were staged by students of the Al-Andalus International School in Al-Khobar, International Philippine School in Al-Khobar, Al-Jazeera International School, Entablado Filipino, Filpop Club, Medea/Society of Performing Arts, and the Saad Dance Troupe. Songs were rendered by Dra. Joyce Arcilla, Timothy John Gamol, 2008 Awit Sigla Teen Division Champion and 2010 Pop Icon First Runner-up; and the Sand Dunes Group composed of Bong Buella, Ferdie Neuda, Jerwin Mara?a, Ronald Conde, Elmer Veracruz and Jaypee Vega. Awards were given to the winners of the cheering contest, sports festival competition and the Eastern Province Got Talent challenge.
