PH Ambassador awarded by UAE government

She also expressed her deep appreciation to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, praising his leadership, and to His Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

“I see this award as UAE’s tribute to the enormous goodwill generated by the Filipinos as the third largest expatriate population in the UAE, the bedrock upon which rests all my efforts in shaping Philippines-UAE relations towards more in-depth cooperation in a wide range of areas. This strong people-to-people relations allowed me, as Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, to successfully ensure that we have a strong Philippine presence at the World Expo Dubai, that we sign five (5) MOUs with the UAE (on consular matters, human trafficking, investment protection and promotion, agriculture, and space cooperation). Likewise, the Philippines is now venturing into closer defense, advanced technology and labor cooperation with the UAE. We are also on the verge of signing a defense and cultural MOU with the UAE, right at the heels of a successful showcase of Philippine pre-colonial gold artifacts through a collaboration between Ayala Museum and Louvre Abu Dhabi, National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines (NCCA) and UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth (MOCY).

The not-so-secret ingredient that made all my efforts for the past four years a success is that the UAE has embraced Filipinos. This medal represents UAE and Philippines’ mutual gratitude to each other. I therefore pay tribute to my kababayans (compatriots) who are raising high the Philippine flag here in the UAE,” Ambassador Quintana said.

Ambassador Quintana concluded by expressing her gratitude to all government entities in the UAE for their support, which contributed to the success of her mission in strengthening relations between the two countries.