Dubai's Filipino community celebrates Philippine Independence Day - in pictures

  • Filipinos gathered in Dubai on Saturday, to celebrate the 126th Philippine Independence Day, a few days before the official date on June 12. All photos: Leslie Pableo for The National.
    Filipinos gathered in Dubai on Saturday, to celebrate the 126th Philippine Independence Day, a few days before the official date on June 12. All photos: Leslie Pableo for The National.
  • About 18,000 people attended the event at Dubai World Trade Centre, organisers said
    About 18,000 people attended the event at Dubai World Trade Centre, organisers said
  • People dressed in traditional Filipino attire take part in a parade
    People dressed in traditional Filipino attire take part in a parade
  • The parade highlighted the diversity of the Philippines, whose people live on thousands of islands
    The parade highlighted the diversity of the Philippines, whose people live on thousands of islands
  • A carnival mood at the 'Fiestahan Village' set up for the day
    A carnival mood at the 'Fiestahan Village' set up for the day
  • Women take part in the parade
    Women take part in the parade
  • Attendants were offered free haircuts, massages, and Filipino street food
    Attendants were offered free haircuts, massages, and Filipino street food
  • People attend the Philippine Independence Day celebrations at Dubai World Trade Centre
    People attend the Philippine Independence Day celebrations at Dubai World Trade Centre
  • A performance during the celebrations
    A performance during the celebrations
  • A performance during the celebrations
    A performance during the celebrations
  • A performance during the celebrations
    A performance during the celebrations
  • A performance during the celebrations
    A performance during the celebrations