UAE & Philippine government entities and outstanding individuals were given recognition by FilSoc.
Dubai, UAE 13 June 2021 – The Filipino Social Club (FilSoc) conferred the Mabuhay Awards on 11th June 2021 during the 123rd Philippine Independence Day celebration held at the Radisson Blu Deira Creek Hotel in Dubai.
The Mabuhay Recognition Award was bestowed to government entities both from the UAE and the Philippines in gratitude for their exceptional commitment and outstanding service to ensure the welfare of the Filipinos in the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery.
The ceremony started with paying homage to both the Philippines and our host country the United Arab Emirates and ribbon cutting. A short commemoration video of Philippine historical events that led to its emancipation from colonizers was played, followed by video greetings and inspirational messages from H.E. Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, H.E. Philippine Ambassador in the UAE Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, and Hon. Ali Shahdoor on behalf of the office of H.E. Ahmed Abdul Karim Mohammed Julfar Director General of Community Development Authority (CDA).
The Mabuhay Recognition Award was given to the following recipient institutions: the Philippine Embassy – Abu Dhabi, UAE, the Philippine Consulate General – Dubai & Northern Emirates, the Emirates Red Crescent – Abu Dhabi Headquarters, Islamic Affairs, and Charitable Activities Department, the Dubai Police General Headquarters, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) – Dubai and Emirati citizen Mr. Omar Hassan Ali Al Marzooqi.
Another set of the Mabuhay Recognition Awards were given to individuals in grateful recognition of their extraordinary service and exceptional contribution to the Filipino community in the UAE during the COVID-19 response and recovery.
The remarkable recipients are Hon. Vice Consul Elizabeth Ramos of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Hon. Labour Attaché Atty. Felicitas Bay of the Philippine Overseas Labour Office – DNE, Mr. Jun Licmo-an, Ms. Warpeace M. Arnold, Mr. Meliton Castillo, Ms. Pimensita Mindana, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad Abdulla Almatrooshi, and Ms. Mona Mohammed.
The anticipated annual Philippine national event was graced with the presence of highly esteemed guests including Dr. Omar Al-Muthanna, Chief Executive Officer of Regulatory and Licensing Sector at Community Development Authority (CDA) as represented by Hon. Mr. Sayed Ahmad Hossam, Hon. Ms. Saeed Majid Al Muhairi, the Head of Inspection and Monitoring for CDA; H.E. Lt. Gen. Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police as represented by Hon. Lt. Col. Dr. Fahad Ahmad Alzarouni (Officer of Diplomatic & Consular Affairs) from the Gen. Dept. of Criminal Investigation; Ms. Buthaina Alsubousi of Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) as represented by Mr. Jaweed Al Khatib and Hon. Sulaiman Gao; and Mr. Ahmed Shaikhani, President of the Pakistan Business Council.
The program featured various talents from the FilSoc Chorale, Al Alfiah Filipino Private School, and Indian national and person of determination Ms. Navya Karapath Baskaran. Another highlight of the event was also the photo gallery exhibit of the Award-winning Photographer, Mr. Donell Gumiran.
The 123rd Philippine Independence Day celebration served as a double milestone for FilSoc, having presented the Mabuhay Awards for the first time and for holding the first physical social event since the pandemic started.
