Pinoys in RAK celebrate Philippine Independence Day for the first time

The Filipino community in Ras Al Khaimah has, for the first time ever, celebrated the 119^th Philippine Independence Day. The event was held at the RAK Mall on July 28, thanks to the joint efforts of the officers of FilClub – RAK under the leadership of its president Meliton Castillo and of FilClub – Dubai, headed by Engr. Maria Fe Tata Dayot, under the auspices of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) Dubai and Northern Emirates.

Hundreds of Pinoys from across the Northern Emirates came to watch the day-long  event packed with cultural presentations, raffle draws, singing and dance contests.

Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes, who came to grace the event along with his spouse Dr. Yasmine Balajadia-Cortes, delighted the audience with a special song number.

“Fresh from the mega success of the Philippine Independence Day celebration at the World Trade Center last May 12, I had immediately posted the challenge to come up with a similar event, though not in the same scale and grandiose as that of Dubai but nonetheless it would be a great achievement because it would be the first time for the Filipino community outside Dubai to celebrate our independence day,” Cortes said.

The happy occasion was highlighted by the presence of the House of the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah headed by H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Saud bin Qasimi.

In 1992, the House of the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah donated a 1,339 sq. m. land to FilClub-RAK, to show  support and appreciation to the Filipino community in the emirate. To this day, the group uses the vast area for their various sports and other activities.

“This is a historical moment for FilClub – RAK because this is the first time ever that we celebrated our Philippine Independence Day here in Ras Al Khaimah attended by the Sheikh of Ras Al Khaimah, the Philippine Consul General and the PCG officers and staff with the support of the officers of FilClub-Dubai,” said Castillo.

“To make this auspicious occasion successful, everybody in the group and the community had contributed by sharing their best ideas and talents,” he added.

FilClub-RAK has more than 10,000 members and has been active in creating activities for the Filipinos in Northern Emirates. The group is responsible for bringing the consular services to make it more convenient for the Filipinos in the emirate.