RIYADH — The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh commemorated the 29th Anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution with a simple program at the Philippine Embassy Grounds. It also held an Art Painting Contest among Filipino students to help Filipino youth carry the message of EDSA. The program began with the flag raising ceremony attended by embassy officials and invited students, school administrators and teachers from Philippine curriculum schools in Riyadh. To mark this year's commemoration of EDSA, the embassy launched an Art Painting Contest to all high school students in the different Philippine Overseas Schools in Riyadh. The medium used for the art entries were either in Oil/Acrylic or Watercolor and painted in approximately A3 size canvass. The theme for the art contest was “Ang Halaga ng EDSA sa Kabataang Pilipino” which aims to allow the students to express their understanding of EDSA 1986 People Power Revolution and how it affects their identity as a Filipino. The Embassy received 11 entries from the following Philippine Overseas Schools in Riyadh: Al Taj International School, Elite International School, Future Generation International School, International Philippine School in Riyadh, Palm Crest International School and Second Philippine International School. During the program, students were asked to explain the message they wanted to impart through their drawings. Three drawings stood out among the 11 entries. The third place was awarded to Alrenz Kian N. Abagguey from Second Philippine International School, the second place went to John Philip Daryl G. Nieves from Future Gen International School and the first place was given to Kyle Sergei Arvin V. Rom from Palm Crest International School. The three winners received certificates and cash prize from the embassy. In addition, other participants were given certificates of participation by the embassy. Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago gave a brief message on the EDSA activity. In his message, he stressed the importance of how the revolution was done in a peaceful manner and urged everyone to value the freedom it brought to the Filipino people. For the students, Ambassador Tago said that he is proud how the students were able to express themselves on their understanding of EDSA through their painting and strongly encouraged the teachers to continue teaching the importance of EDSA to the Filipino youths in the Kingdom”. As a parting message, the ambassador said that he looks forward to having a more memorable celebration of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution during its 30th Anniversary in 2016. — SG
