Tribune News Network
DOHA
Around 500 leaders from 48 Filipino community organisations in Qatar attended the Philippine Gala Night held at the Majestic Ballroom of the Holiday Villa Hotel recently.
The event, organised by Kulinarya Qatar as reunion venue for Filipino community leaders, also welcomed the new Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Lillibeth V Pono, who graced the occasion as the event’s guest of honour and keynote speaker.
Kulinarya Qatar Program Director Joseph Timothy Rivera, who opened the evening’s festivities, described the gala as a “breath of fresh air” as it was the first and largest social gathering of Filipino expats in Qatar since the beginning of the pandemic. He assured the new ambassador of the community’s full commitment and cooperation in Philippine Embassy’s programmes.
Philippine cultural songs and dance performances were the highlights of the event, which lasted almost five hours. Renowned theatre performers Tanghalang Overseas Pinoy (TOPi) offered special numbers from the Filipino play KATY in addition to their special rendition of the Qatar and Philippine national anthems.
Other performances were by Nia Janelle Incabo; PISQ - 911 Dancers; Bryan Joseph Sales; Norell Mediavilla; Flipino Dance Sport Social Club; BIMAK Qatar Chapter; XTREME LEVEL DANZ CREW; Maestro Dexter De Lara Tumang; Bryan Joseph Sales; Lordonna Chavez Magboo and Vanessa Cassador who sang “Hamon ng Mundo”, while Unica De Vera also gave a special rendition of the song “I love Qatar” In her speech, HE Pono expressed her delight at the huge turnout, saying it was her first speech before a large gathering of Filipinos overseas.
All attending organizations were presented with certificates by Filipino labor advocate and former UFOQ chairman Ressie Foss. Raffle prizes of SPA vouchers from VM Rejuv Skin Care and hotel staycation gift certificates from Megaworld International & SMDC were awarded to lucky guests by Kulinarya Directors Layla Bernal & Belle Modin.
The Biggest Delegation award was presented to FAMS by First Secretary at the embassy Luisa Bulaong and Consul Cassandra K B Sawadjaan. The Star of the Night award was bagged by Dr Wendel Vera & Dr Aira Saguira, who received trophies from Third Secretary and Vice Consul Monica Remsy S Calangian.
The SMDC, led by its Associate Sales Director for Qatar Bobby Libor, awarded a symbolic sweatshirt to Assistant Labor Attache Atty Don Albert Philippe Pangcog. Special Athletic Awards were presented to young swimmers Arabella Nadeen Taguinota and Arvin Naeem Taguinota II by HE Lillibeth VPono, together with Vice Consul Jeffrey Batac. Round-trip air tickets were also awarded to the two athletes by Regency Travel GM Manoj Kumar Tiwari.
The evening’s organisers, headed by Kulinarya Qatar Chairperson Dahlia S Agbanlog, thanked the attendees and gave special appreciation to the gala’s sponsors. The programme was hosted by Qabayan Radio RJ Kenzo and RJ Cody.
