ABU DHABI // Filipino expatriates who have worked continuously in the country for 20 years or longer will be honoured for their "commitment and dedication" in a ceremony organised by the Philippine embassy next month.
Adelio Cruz, the consul-general at the embassy, said exceptional Filipinos working in different fields would be awarded plaques of recognition at an event to commemorate the 112th anniversary of Philippine independence.
On June 12 each year, the Philippines celebrates the date in 1898 when it attained independence after 300 years of Spanish rule.
Another proposed activity to mark the country's national day is the unveiling of a collage to be filled with photos of Filipinos who are living and working in the Emirates on June 13 at a diplomatic reception in Abu Dhabi.
"We've always wanted to feature Filipinos in the workplace and attending parties, community events and other public gatherings," Mr Cruz said.
"It could be anything like a group of Filipino engineers in the field, old photos of a family who has been here for the past 15 years or so, or even a Filipino driving a Hummer."
The exhibit would showcase the everyday lives of Filipinos in the Emirates and how important their contribution was to the development of the UAE, he said. It would also be published in book version, with the provisional title Filipinos in the UAE, next year.
Filipinos who have been in the country for more than two decades will be asked to provide insights into the various stages of development of the Emirates during their stay.
There are an estimated 450,000 Filipinos in the UAE. About 120,000 live in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
Filipinos have until May 30 to send photographs and captions to auhpe@philembassy.ae.
Fe Abina, the cultural officer at the embassy, will collect the names of Filipinos employed in the UAE for 20 years or longer. She can be contacted on 02 6415922.
@Email:rruiz@thenational.ae
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