Arguably the most popular city among Filipinos, Dubai never fails to put on a show – not only to impress, but more importantly, to celebrate its rich cultural diversity by featuring various nationalities and important dates dear to all expats living in the city.
This month, it’s the Philippines’ turn as the country celebrates its 121st Independence Day. In line with this, several popular locations in the city lit up with colourful and bright images to pay tribute to the Philippines and its citizens, who have been part of the growth of the city as well as the UAE in general.
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Here’s What Happened at the Philippine Independence Day Celebrations in Dubai
A unique laser and lights show was put on full display at Dubai Festival City Mall and the Burj Khalifa, featuring the Philippine Flag, images representing Filipino Culture and the country’s popular personalities to celebrate the 121st Independence Day of the Philippines on June 12.
Filipinos living in the UAE were excited and proud to have been paid tribute by one of the world’s best cities, and a (second) home to many of them.
During this event, the Dubai Festival City Mall also showcased a laser show dedicated to pay tribute to the Filipino culture.
Flashed on the big LED screen at the façade of the popular Dubai mall were the images of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and the Filipino Boxing Champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao, along with other images reflecting the country’s rich culture and heritage.
The laser shows will run from June 13 to 15 every hour from 7 p.m. onwards.
Here are some photos of the light show flashed on some of Dubai’s famous destinations as shared by Pinoy netizens:
Philippine Consul General in the UAE Paul Raymund P. Cortes led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand event, which he noted was a first for Dubai venues to organize.
Nevertheless, Cortes thanked the Dubai Festival City Mall team for this tribute.
According to the Consul General during the inauguration of the show, “It [The tribute] certainly gives Filipinos something to be proud of, something to be happy about, something to be joyous about.”
“It just shows exactly how the Filipinos can continue being a part of the multi-cultural community of the UAE and at the same time while we are proud of who we are while we are— celebrating our culture, our heritage, our music, our history, allow us to share that pride and joy with the rest of our friends from other nationalities and ethnicities in the UAE,” he added.
Cortes also shared that the Philippines must always contextualize the celebration “within the scheme of the larger global community” to ensure that every culture and tradition is respected.
Video: Dubai Festival City Philippine Independence Day Show
Other than the Dubai Festival City Mall, the world’s tallest man-made tower and one of Dubai’s iconic landmarks, the Burj Khalifa, also lit up and displayed the Philippine flag in commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day.
Here’s a video shared on Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes’ FB Page:
ALSO READ: AED 39 Exclusive Discount for Filipinos at Dubai Parks and Resorts from June 12-15