DUBAI – It’s that time of the year once again to gather for another festive event for the Filipino community. A first in the history of community events, Barrio Fiesta Bayanihan 2019 was recently launched at Pier Juan Restobar with an iconic theme, “Kalembang: Ang Hudyat ng Pagsisimula ng isang Kaabang-abang na Samahan.”
The grand launch was attended by Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes, Labor Attaché Felicitas Bay, ABS-CBN Europe, Middle East and Africa Managing Director Joseph Arnie Garcia, Philippine Business Council Chair Bobbie Carela.
Also present were community leaders, PID and Bayanihan 2019 Chairman and Vice Chairman Josie Conlu and Jason Roi Bucton respectively.
Kalembang, which signifies the start of different types of occasions and celebrations in the Philippines and many other places in the world, rang 12 times to highlight what are to be expected on the 6th of December during the grand launch.
“This time, dadalhin nila ang Barrio Fiesta dito, in collaboration with Bayanihan Festival 2019, at ipakita natin sa TFC kung saan nga ba ang pinakamalaking concentration ng pinakamalaking event para sa Barrio Fiesta Bayanihan dito sa Dubai.
“Ngayon, itong pagsasanib pwersa ay isang testamento kung gaano ba kalaki ang pwedeng mai-ambag ng Filipino community para maipakita natin sa kapwa natin kung ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin ng people to people partnership o kaya ay civil society collaboration,” said the consul general.
Bayanihan Festival is one of two main events of the Filipino community in the UAE that is annually celebrated and highlighted by the Philippine Consulate General which aims to promote and strengthen unity and camaraderie among the community.
This year’s Bayanihan Festival is especially anticipated in partnership with The Filipino Channel which will showcase and bring their Barrio Fiesta event series which originated in London, United Kingdom more than 3 decades ago. TFC officially announced that they are bringing Barrio Fiesta in Dubai in collaboration with the Filipino community through the Bayanihan Organizing Committee, with the support of the Philippine Consulate.
“We are one with the community in elevating the values and the culture of the Filipino and expose it to a greater international market,” said Joseph Arnie Garcia.
The festive event will feature the best of Filipino food, from traditional dishes to a parade of kakanin, cultural and modern day performances, fashion masterpieces, and live music from local musicians and artists from the Philippines. With all of these essential structures of the Filipino culture brought together, Bayanihan Festival aims to integrate and capture the unique and significant qualities and spectacles of every Philippine Fiesta.
“Magiging modern naman na may konting asin ng kapaskohan, talento, trabaho, turismo at pag-iisahin natin yan sa isang selebrasyon na punong-puno ng iba’t-ibang activities para sa Barrio Fiesta Bayanihan 2019,” said Chairman Josie Conlu.
Some of the event’s segments were also featured during the launch such as the following:
• Parada ng mga Kakanin, which by the name itself will be a parade of various Filipino desserts special in every region
• Parol at Palamuti sa Pasko, where community members will creatively decorate the Christmas Tree with their own concepts and materials
• Yugyugan Na (Hip-Hop dance Showdown), Sayaw Kontemporaryo (Pinoy Contemporary Dance Production), and Baile (Pinoy Ballroom), which will showcase the art of Filipino dances throughout the ages
• Dakilang Bayani Awards, an annual recognition of modern day heroes
• Reina dela Fiesta, a presentation from different Northern Emirates of Festival Queens representing the country’s hidden gems and promising tourist spots
• Kwento ng Pasko, a free-style presentation by students from different schools
• Tala, musical performances of the songs of the Yuletide season
• Pinoy Super Voice, a karaoke battle Bayanihan edition
• Likha (Fashion Show), a showcase of fashion masterpieces
• TFC Concert, three caliber Filipino artists are set to perform
This day-long event with various fun-filled activities and segments for the whole family and friends, accompanied with lots of food, Filipino celebrities and artists, musical performances, and festivities will take place at Zabeel Park C on December 6, 2019.
