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Ailyn Agonia
Doha
Philippine School Doha (PSD) Principal Dr Alexander Acosta recalled the journey and challenges faced by the Filipino school towards realising its dream of having a permanent campus during the celebration of its 25th Founding Anniversary held at Al Rayyan Sports Club on Friday.
Acosta along with the members of the school's Board of Trustees and Board of Directors led the colourful celebration of the PSD community marked with diverse performances of students.
The occasion was attended by Philippine Embassy Doha officials Consul General Atty. Roussel Reyes and Vice-Consul Benjamin Celedio. Also, a number of former faculty members of PSD and parents who are now based in Manila flew all the way to Doha to join the merriment.
In his remarks, Acosta said the opening of the new campus of PSD located in the Mesaimeer Area starting this school year has long been the vision of the first Filipino school in Qatar ever since it opened its doors in 1992 with only 33 students.
"The thrills and excitement that we all are waiting for has finally arrived. Today, we shall take pride in celebrating our 25 years of long wait to have a permanent school building which used to be a dream but is now a reality. This is the celebration of how the works of our Creator has revealed in us that nothing is impossible before His eyes if we remain faithful and dependent on Him," the PSD Principal remarked.
Also on the occasion, PSD Board of Trustees Chairman Gerardo Macasa Jr urged the PSD community to continue working towards excellence for the benefit of the wider Filipino community in Qatar.
"We should not be complacent to what we achieved now. Instead, we should remain intact and be united in all our endeavours. I firmly believe that PSD, soon to be Philippine Science School of Doha, is under the care of our Almighty and with God's grace PSD will continue to stand proudly as long as the Filipino community in Qatar exists," he said.
The celebration kicked off with an opening presentation of students of PSD's official theme song. It was followed by the ceremonial cake cutting where the pillars of PSD, then and now, reunited to show their appreciation and pride of the institution's milestones.
Reading the official message of Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Alan Timbayan on the occasion, Consul General Roussel Reyes underscored the significance of the recent accomplishments of PSD and its impact to the general Filipino community.
"As the PSD celebrates the 25th anniversary of its foundation, I would like to congratulate the school for being an institution that looks after the welfare of our children. The use of the new campus starting this school year represents its considerable step forward not only for the institution but also for the Filipino community in Qatar. To be able to call a new campus as our own instills a strong sense of pride in us Filipinos in Qatar and reminds us that with our indomitable spirit and quest for excellence anything is possible," according to the Ambassador's message.
The performances featured various themes and concepts such as environment, nature and Filipino traditions through folk dances. The field demonstration was hosted this year by the school's Primary Department.
