Guests enjoyed a cultural and musical show at the Eid function organized by the Philippine Embassy. — Courtesy photo RIYADH — The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh held an Eid El-Fitr celebration recently, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan at the Liwasang Bonifacio. Hundreds of Filipinos in Riyadh joined the Muslim and non-Muslim Embassy staff and their families in the celebration of Eid El-Fitr. Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago led the celebration and in his short remark, Tago thanked the guests in joining the celebration and considered them as belonging to one big family. The open house affair was attended by nurses of different hospitals, other professionals, the Philippine school community and other Filipino community organizations who heeded the open invitation to join the celebration. Tago highlighted that the Philippines recognizes and had declared Eid El- Fitr as a national holiday, and he mentioned some the Philippine initiatives in the interfaith dialogue.The celebration included a cultural presentation and playing of musical instruments from the southern Philippines, popularly known as kulintang and agong. Performers from the 2 Lanao provinces and Maguindanao demonstrated their skills in playing the instruments. Mr. Tago and some embassy staff played their piece of kulintang and agung. The dance troupe of the Philippine International School in Riyadh delighted the crowd with their medley of folklore dances of Singkil, War (Sword) Dance, the Philippines' version of Arabian popular Arda dance and Kapa Malong malong in which the lady performers demonstrated several ways of wearing the Malong. Ethnic foods commonly available in the Southern Philippines (Randang, Badak, Pinamilit, Pidsinina and Tiola Itum) and middle eastern food were served. On the same occasion, Tago announced to the crowd the officers and staff who were awarded by the Department of Foreign Affairs for outstanding performance in Consul Roussel R. Reyes and Ebrahim T. Zailon and milestone awards to Messrs. Cotawato Arimao and Manuel Duran Jr. (35 years) Pendosina N. Lomondot; Mohamad Taha A. Guinomla, Saipoden Manalao; Esmayatin Macapundag (25 years); Melchor S.R. Balladolid and Camalodin Manggis (10 years). Tago also welcomed new personnel to the Embassy, Raymond Aquino and Camalodin Manggis, who recently arrived in Riyadh. — SG
