Filipinos in the UAE enjoy a basketball game before Independence Day celebrations. Chris Whiteoak / The National
On Sunday, Filipinos marked 124 years of Philippine independence from the Spanish empire. In 1898, the Philippine Revolution helped end more than 300 years of colonial rule. The UAE has a population of nearly a million Filipinos. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Many Filipinos move to the Emirates to find better work opportunities. Chris Whiteoak / The National
They contribute to many different sectors of the UAE's economy, including hospitality, engineering and health care. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FV6SWEFHCZGG7D7IC27MAD2Y4A.jpeg?smart=true&auth=357b87e0e91dd6bee3ded02b7c8e6e3a3d0e2c77283df15253afa142e7bbb2e5&width=400&height=225)
Filipino restaurant Hot Palayok in Abu Dhabi is decorated in the national colours of Philippines -- blue, white and red -- for the country's 124th Independence Day. Edgar Nofelda
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G2ZRPCEA3BCPXNEGBS4EN4VH7I.jpeg?smart=true&auth=962adc4db3b344f5c39b9aa7c72325835883d25f2b8837cc962f4056ab8c62eb&width=400&height=225)
Hot Palayok restaurant in Abu Dhabi is celebrating Independence Day and will have a performance from a traditional acoustic singer. Edgar Nofelda
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2Y55ACCVLNGV5B3Q3GQ2UES5LQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ba932b70eb89492c172f3c55ca7856673545977e4b75f3dbea09dc35c9543234&width=400&height=225)
Restaurant staff wear traditional Filipino outfits for Independence Day. Edgar Nofelda
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/45WSTSVQGJGIDPO5NWX5DYQAJY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=659425da320c9a6645ab74da88e4aa3fc739696c270f64e6196b35a07d114750&width=400&height=225)
The restaurant is displaying photographs of national heroes for Independence Day. Edgar Nofelda
A group of Filipinos meet up to enjoy a game of basketball before celebrating Independence Day on Sunday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Filipinos in the UAE enjoy a basketball game before Independence Day celebrations. Chris Whiteoak / The National
On Sunday, Filipinos marked 124 years of Philippine independence from the Spanish empire. In 1898, the Philippine Revolution helped end more than 300 years of colonial rule. The UAE has a population of nearly a million Filipinos. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Many Filipinos move to the Emirates to find better work opportunities. Chris Whiteoak / The National
They contribute to many different sectors of the UAE's economy, including hospitality, engineering and health care. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FV6SWEFHCZGG7D7IC27MAD2Y4A.jpeg?smart=true&auth=357b87e0e91dd6bee3ded02b7c8e6e3a3d0e2c77283df15253afa142e7bbb2e5&width=400&height=225)
Filipino restaurant Hot Palayok in Abu Dhabi is decorated in the national colours of Philippines -- blue, white and red -- for the country's 124th Independence Day. Edgar Nofelda
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/G2ZRPCEA3BCPXNEGBS4EN4VH7I.jpeg?smart=true&auth=962adc4db3b344f5c39b9aa7c72325835883d25f2b8837cc962f4056ab8c62eb&width=400&height=225)
Hot Palayok restaurant in Abu Dhabi is celebrating Independence Day and will have a performance from a traditional acoustic singer. Edgar Nofelda
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2Y55ACCVLNGV5B3Q3GQ2UES5LQ.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ba932b70eb89492c172f3c55ca7856673545977e4b75f3dbea09dc35c9543234&width=400&height=225)
Restaurant staff wear traditional Filipino outfits for Independence Day. Edgar Nofelda
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/45WSTSVQGJGIDPO5NWX5DYQAJY.jpeg?smart=true&auth=659425da320c9a6645ab74da88e4aa3fc739696c270f64e6196b35a07d114750&width=400&height=225)
The restaurant is displaying photographs of national heroes for Independence Day. Edgar Nofelda
A group of Filipinos meet up to enjoy a game of basketball before celebrating Independence Day on Sunday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Filipinos in the UAE enjoy a basketball game before Independence Day celebrations. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Philippines Independence Day: Filipinos on their love for the UAE
Nearly one million Filipinos live in the Emirates - and some explain why as they celebrate their 124th national celebration
![Sarwat Nasir](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5a1721d1-b1fc-47a7-8c35-985395d5a5ae.png?smart=true&auth=59b598b8295381dbbb5492b5ef6a2ffa0d77e07c0a1086053fcdbee600f14b7f&width=70&height=70)
Sarwat Nasir
12 June, 2022
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