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As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic puts life at a standstill, people have come up with creative ideas to make the most of their free time, keep in touch with their loved-ones and colleagues or commemorate events.
Many have turned to online platforms to socialise, stay informed and entertain themselves.
On the same note, an online singing contest was recently organised to engage the Filipino community in Qatar and other music enthusiasts on the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work and the International Labour Day.
Billed Karaoke Challenge Online Edition, the activity gathered 20 talented amateur singers in the community who showed off their talents and provided entertainment to residents trying to get out of boredom while practicing physical distancing and adhering to calls from the government to stay at home.
The contest was held from April 28 to May 1 and organised by BWI (Building and Wood Worker’s International), Bayanihan ng mga Manggagawa sa Konstruksyon ng Qatar (BMKQ) and Bayanihan Qatar in collaboration with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour & Social Affairs, IDWF (International Domestic Workers Federation) and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Doha (POLO- DOHA).
Out of the 20 finalists who went through several rounds, five made it to the championship round held on May 1 as many countries observe International Labor Day. The finalists were Darrel Delos Reyes from Malolos, Bulacan, Josemarie Desabille from Navotas City, Kristoffer Quiambao
from Bataan, Sheryll Aida Garcia from Dipolog City and Frances M. De Guzman from Navotas City.
Frances bagged the championship title. His heartfelt rendition of the song “Ngayong Nandito Ka” earned the nod of the judges. He also received overwhelming support from his friends and colleagues online.
“The contest was a memorable experience for me. It was the first time for me to join such an event and it was an honour to compete with 19 equally-
talented contestants. Amidst this pandemic this unique concept of a singing competition is truly appreciated. I thank the organisers of the activity and those who have supported me during this journey. I hope that my performance was appreciated by the viewers and somehow entertained them. God bless us all and stay safe,” Frances said in his victory statement.
Bayanihan Qatar office-bearers headed by its president Jerry Ronquillo put together the competition which was well-received in the community and supported by various Filipino groups. While the panel of judges was headed by Chester Mendoza and Jazeel Maliza.
Commenting about the project that was deemed a success, BMKQ President Ressie Fos said, “In the previous year, some events were organised for Filipino expats to mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work and International Labor Day led by MADLSA, BWI and other global institutions like the ILO. Given the current situation, we made all the activities virtual. We had two programmes of which the first one was the Karaoke Challenge Online Edition which featured an informative online discussion of COVID-19 related information and a singing competition to showcase one of the favourite habits and known talents of Filipinos which is singing. This is aimed at giving entertainment to help people ward off stress in view of the impact of the pandemic to mental health.”
He added that they are keen to hold another round of the activity and the possibility of replicating the contest for South Asian and African communities.
On the occasion, Fos said they also hosted a Community Leaders Forum on Workers Welfare which was spearheaded by MADLSA and BWI. About 55 community leaders from South Asian and African communities gathered virtually to take part in the forum.”
The forum featured prominent speakers namely MADLSA Deputy Undersecretary Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidly, BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson and Houtan Homayounpour, Head of ILO Qatar Project Office.
Fos said the forum has earned positive reactions from the community leaders and thankful for the Qatar government and stakeholders like BWI, ILO and other global unions who collaborate for workers’ welfare and reforms.
Many have turned to online platforms to socialise, stay informed and entertain themselves.
On the same note, an online singing contest was recently organised to engage the Filipino community in Qatar and other music enthusiasts on the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work and the International Labour Day.
Billed Karaoke Challenge Online Edition, the activity gathered 20 talented amateur singers in the community who showed off their talents and provided entertainment to residents trying to get out of boredom while practicing physical distancing and adhering to calls from the government to stay at home.
The contest was held from April 28 to May 1 and organised by BWI (Building and Wood Worker’s International), Bayanihan ng mga Manggagawa sa Konstruksyon ng Qatar (BMKQ) and Bayanihan Qatar in collaboration with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour & Social Affairs, IDWF (International Domestic Workers Federation) and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Doha (POLO- DOHA).
Out of the 20 finalists who went through several rounds, five made it to the championship round held on May 1 as many countries observe International Labor Day. The finalists were Darrel Delos Reyes from Malolos, Bulacan, Josemarie Desabille from Navotas City, Kristoffer Quiambao
from Bataan, Sheryll Aida Garcia from Dipolog City and Frances M. De Guzman from Navotas City.
Frances bagged the championship title. His heartfelt rendition of the song “Ngayong Nandito Ka” earned the nod of the judges. He also received overwhelming support from his friends and colleagues online.
“The contest was a memorable experience for me. It was the first time for me to join such an event and it was an honour to compete with 19 equally-
talented contestants. Amidst this pandemic this unique concept of a singing competition is truly appreciated. I thank the organisers of the activity and those who have supported me during this journey. I hope that my performance was appreciated by the viewers and somehow entertained them. God bless us all and stay safe,” Frances said in his victory statement.
Bayanihan Qatar office-bearers headed by its president Jerry Ronquillo put together the competition which was well-received in the community and supported by various Filipino groups. While the panel of judges was headed by Chester Mendoza and Jazeel Maliza.
Commenting about the project that was deemed a success, BMKQ President Ressie Fos said, “In the previous year, some events were organised for Filipino expats to mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work and International Labor Day led by MADLSA, BWI and other global institutions like the ILO. Given the current situation, we made all the activities virtual. We had two programmes of which the first one was the Karaoke Challenge Online Edition which featured an informative online discussion of COVID-19 related information and a singing competition to showcase one of the favourite habits and known talents of Filipinos which is singing. This is aimed at giving entertainment to help people ward off stress in view of the impact of the pandemic to mental health.”
He added that they are keen to hold another round of the activity and the possibility of replicating the contest for South Asian and African communities.
On the occasion, Fos said they also hosted a Community Leaders Forum on Workers Welfare which was spearheaded by MADLSA and BWI. About 55 community leaders from South Asian and African communities gathered virtually to take part in the forum.”
The forum featured prominent speakers namely MADLSA Deputy Undersecretary Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidly, BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson and Houtan Homayounpour, Head of ILO Qatar Project Office.
Fos said the forum has earned positive reactions from the community leaders and thankful for the Qatar government and stakeholders like BWI, ILO and other global unions who collaborate for workers’ welfare and reforms.
