The Philippines begins its National Day celebration at the Expo 2020 Dubai this February 11 with a symbolic flag-raising ceremony, exciting cultural parades with vibrant colours witnessed by thousands of UAE residents in attendance, as well as a high-level trade and business meeting together with some of the key decision makers in the region.
Philippines National Day Flag Raising Ceremony
Philippines Pavilion ‘Bangkóta’ raised at its majestic façade the unifying symbol of the country – the Philippine flag clad in its emblematic colours of blue, red, white and yellow representing the Filipinos’ treasured values of peacekeeping, patriotism, purity, and camaraderie, respectively.
The flag-raising ceremony at the ‘Bangkóta’ was personally witnessed by Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (PDTI) Assistant Secretary for the Trade Promotions Group and PH Expo 2020 Dubai Alternate Commissioner General Rosvi C. Gaetos, and Philippine Consul General to Dubai Honorable Renato Duenas Jr., along with global visitors who explored and learned more about the historic symbolism of the Philippine flag amongst its people.
Philippines National Day Parade
Expo 2020 Dubai’s Avenue of Nations transformed into a multicultural Filipino festival that highlights some of the most notable festivals across its 7,107 islands during the official Philippines National Day Parade.
Akin to the lively streets of the Philippines’ festival, spectators from all around the world personally witnessed the fun and excitement of these eye-catching Filipino festivals from upbeat dances and performances by some of the most talented Filipinos based across the entire UAE.
Rosvi C. Gaetos, Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (PDTI) Assistant Secretary and Philippines @ Expo 2020 Dubai Alternate Commissioner General highlighted that both opening events enthralled Expo 2020 visitors who got to see a glimpse of the country’s festivities.
“The Filipino brand of happiness as seen through our hospitable smiles shared the spirit of positivity amongst visitors at the streets of Expo 2020 Dubai. The Philippines is proud and more than glad to share millions of reasons why the world visits our country to have a good time,” said Gaetos.
Country Business Briefing
Photo caption: Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary and Philippines Pavilion Commissioner General H.E. Ramon M. Lopez during his keynote message at the Country Business Briefing
On the sidelines of the Philippines National Day celebration, the country also gathered some of the main players and decision makers from the Philippines and the UAE’s business landscape to present opportunities that could spring forth from collaborative efforts between public and private entities from both countries.
The Country Business Briefing gave investors and entrepreneurs an in-depth look at the unlimited possibilities that they can unlock in the Philippines especially for those who plan to open their business and/or expand their reach in the South East Asian region.
H.E. Ramon M. Lopez, Secretary of Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Philippines Pavilion Commissioner General underscored the importance of these high-level meetings as a spark amongst potential investors to ignite their interest to see the Philippines as a hub where they can grow their business. He added that this also opens the eyes of Filipino investors to avenues of collaboration that they can engage together with their newfound partners in the UAE.
“These business engagements open a mutually beneficial opportunity for investors from both the Philippines and the UAE to converge and open endless possibilities of cooperation and form new strategic partnerships that will take their investments and respective businesses to the next level. Both countries have been making it easier to set up a business, and these upcoming years will help in the smooth transition of further business expansions across the Middle East and South-East Asian regions,” said Lopez.
