Ronaldo Z. Concha Saudi Gazette Jeddah – Filipinos in Jeddah have started a month-long celebration, marking the 114th anniversary of the Philippine Independence. Themed around Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa tuwid na daan (Nation's responsibility toward a straight path), the celebration started with the opening of the second Kalayaan Cup Badminton Tournament last Friday. Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Meljun M. Fabicon, Chairman of the Badminton tournament and President of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO AA WRKSA), said the activities are organized by the Philippine Consulate General and headed by the Trade Attaché Attorney Paizal Abdullah in collaboration with the APO AA WRKSA, Flying Angels, Wednesday Nitrox Badminton Group, Pinoy Harley, Badminton Development Pool, Anta Badminton Club, Beaufort and DCJ. On June 12, the Philippine Consulate will hold the flag-raising ceremony at 7:00 AM in the morning where Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay, Consul Leo Tito L. Ausan Jr., Vice Consul Jonas L. Sumague and Vice Consul Jim G. Minglana will hoist the Philippine Flag. The flag-raising ceremony will be followed by the delivery of messages from the Philippine President, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator, and secretaries of the foreign affairs, labor and employment, and trade and industry in Jeddah. Consulate officials and its staff will render a song Ikaw, Tayo (Magkakapatid) during the intermission after which, a traditional Pinoy breakfast will follow. On the night of June 12, the consulate will hold the traditional diplomatic night at the Al-Sultan Ballroom in Hotel Intercontinental. On June 14, the consulate will also open their first Philippine Consulate General Jeddah Bowling Tournament, where officials from the consulate and its attached agencies will get an opportunity to display their talent in bowling. On the same day the Conul General Garibay will also open the Philippine food festival organized by Sarawat Superstore in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate. Officials from the OWWA in Jeddah said Migrant Workers Day will also be observed on that day. Aside from the consulate other active Filipino organization such as the Pinoy Expatriates for Social Organizations and Sports (PESOS) will hold the OFW fun day summer festival at the beach on June 14 and 15. Organizers said different activities, such as the finale of the Himig ng Kalayaan singing competition, different sports activities and a variety of Pinoy traditional games, await the OFW who will visit the event. The activities will promote different Filipino products by conducting product sampling. Organizers will hold activities and games for children as well. Another active Filipino organization, the Filipino Artiste Migrant Ensemble (FAME) will also hold the grand finale of their singing and dance competition on June 22. Independence Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the Declaration of Independence on June 12,1898 by General Emilio Aguinaldo and Filipino revolutionary forces from the Spanish colonization. __
