DUBAI // A special festive event is being held for Filipinos who miss spending Christmas back home.
Individuals and choral groups with at least five members are invited to join Himig ng Pasko's (Voices of Christmas) Christmas carol competition today.
There will also be a dance duo contest, where pairs move to a Yuletide song. The carol competition offers a Dh5,000 cash prize.
"We want to gather Filipinos who are in the UAE who will be spending Christmas here," said Oliver Conti Ramos, the event's organiser. "By listening to Christmas carols and being with fellow Filipinos in the Middle East, we are attempting to bring home closer to us. We want to bring the true spirit of Christmas in the truest Filipino sense. We will also be raffling off some exciting prizes."
Tickets cost Dh60, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Philippine Care Society in Abu Dhabi, and Typhoon Bopha victims in the southern Philippines. The typhoon killed more than 1,000 people this month.
To take part, contact Mr Ramos on alibataproject@yahoo.com or at 056 728 0408.
rruiz@thenational.ae
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Mykonos, with a flight change to its partner airline Olympic Air in Athens. Return flights cost from Dh4,105 per person, including taxes.
Where to stay
The modern-art-filled Ambassador hotel (myconianambassador.gr) is 15 minutes outside Mykonos Town on a hillside 500 metres from the Platis Gialos Beach, with a bus into town every 30 minutes (a taxi costs €15 [Dh66]). The Nammos and Scorpios beach clubs are a 10- to 20-minute walk (or water-taxi ride) away. All 70 rooms have a large balcony, many with a Jacuzzi, and of the 15 suites, five have a plunge pool. There’s also a private eight-bedroom villa. Double rooms cost from €240 (Dh1,063) including breakfast, out of season, and from €595 (Dh2,636) in July/August.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
