Over 60,000 Filipinos celebrate 128th Independence Day in Dubai

Over 60,000 Filipinos in the UAE have celebrated the 128th anniversary of the Philippines' independence at the Dubai World Trade Center on Sunday.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended the event, which was organised by the "Emirates Loves Philippines" page. 

He noted that the occasion honours Philippine's values of "courage, sacrifice, faith and a deep commitment to dignity and freedom", which he found embodied by the Filipino community working and living in the UAE. 

He also expressed his appreciation for the Filipino community's contribution to the UAE's society and its support, which has contributed to its growth. 

Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, added that the event "reflects the sense of belonging and gratitude that Filipinos feel toward the UAE, a country that has become a second home to hundreds of thousands of them". 

The celebration featured a packed programme of cultural, artistic, and entertainment activities throughout the day, including performances by the headlining act, Filipino actress and singer Arci Muñoz, alongside P-pop acts 1st.One, G22 and ALAMAT. 

The programme also featured heritage and cultural performances rooted in Filipino folklore, most notably the Sagala pageant, a ceremonial procession of traditional and formal attire inspired by the country's heritage.