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With more than 200 members to date, the United Bicolano in Qatar (UBNQ) is one of the regional groups contributing to the dynamism of more than the 222,000-strong Filipino community in Qatar.
Founded on July 1, 2015 by Willy Rabe Ricacho, who hails from Legazpi city (the capital of Albay Province in Bicol Region), the main objective of the growing team of Bicolanos (natives of Bicol) is to gather Filipino expats from Bicol and engage them in worthwhile activities such as charity initiatives both in Qatar and the Philippines. The organisation was officially recognised by the Philippine Embassy Doha on September 4, 2016.
"The reason for establishing this group was to unite all Bicolanos here in Qatar. Bicolanos have a very unique language or dialect, culture and beliefs in that, I challenge myself to do something to be the mediator of the group. The UBNQ holds regular meetings or bonding sessions every first Friday of the month to know and discuss various issues and plan our activities. We actively support other organisations such as during the sport programme of Guardians Qatar and the successful medical mission organised by HERO Qatar recently," Ricacho told Qatar Tribune.
While there are a number of regional groups of Bicolanos in the country, UBNQ is one of those that promote their beloved region, which is a popular tourist destination in the Philippines, being the home of the perfect cone-shaped Mount Mayon Volcano and distinguished by their specialty dishes which uses lots of spices and coconut cream.
"The objectives of UBNQ include promoting the moral and social values of Bicolanos and conduct social and cultural programmes promoting Bicol. We want to be of service to our fellow Bicolano overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and aspire to protect the individual and collective rights of our members. We would also like to extend help to distressed OFWs in Qatar," the UBNQ founder noted.
Looking ahead, the group plans to conduct several projects and activities including a blood-donation drive in October, mass offering in November, Christmas caroling to raise funds for distressed OFWs in December, a feeding programme in the Philippines next year, and sponsoring education of children of some members of the UBNQ.
The group also aims to be an integral part of the Filipino community in Qatar and support the programmes of the Philippine Embassy.
"We are new members of the Filipino community in Qatar but we hope to make a meaningful contribution for the betterment of our growing community in the country. Uragon sararo sarabay!" Ricacho said.
