Pinoys, and the rest of the UAE, are up for a long weekend ahead with Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of Ramadan. The Filipino Times asked around and gathered these top 15 things most Pinoys would find themselves into during the break. Choose yours.
- Ouzi with our Muslim brothers and sisters. There is at least one big group of Pinoys who engage themselves in inter-cultural, interfaith activities with our Muslim brothers and sisters: the Filipino Runners United, which this year had its fourth edition of Ramadan Marathon, where they visited mosques and joined in the iftar. The activity usually culminates in more sharing toward the end of Ramadan and into Eid al-Fitr. It’s the same scene in accommodations shared by Christian Pinoys and Muslim people of other nationalities – and it would usually be highlighted with biryani, even lamb ouzi, on the dinner table.
2. Staycation in one of the emirates. This is an option for a lot of Pinoys like Allan Castro, graphic designer who lives with his family in Dubai. “We’re planning to check-in at a hotel, probably Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah or Ajman,” he said. The same goes true with Beth Fabic, general manager at a Dubai job placement agency. “Pinag-iisipan pa kasi..long weekend at ang daming gustong sumama kaya check budget kung aabot, hahaha,” she said, adding that it would probably be Armenia, Georgia “or isang resort sa Fujairah.”
3. Enjoy a getaway. “I’ll be travelling to Scotland to see the ‘elusive’ Loch Ness monster,” said Genevieve Carancho, a public relations practitioner, who said she’ll be going with her boyfriend. Others like Ferdinand Ylaya, Media City graphic designer, prefers Georgia. “I heard it’s not that expensive,” he said.
4. Advocacy work. While most Pinoys plan their itineraries, others would rather spend the long weekend on their advocacies. Aileen Amparo, 2016 TFT Filmmaker of the Year, said she’ll organize her off grid community project. “Conceptual stage pa lang,” she said. Financial management adviser, Franz Ramirez Angeles, for her part, said she will make use of the free time “to do more of my financial advocacy and make my weekend productive.”
5. Career growth. Still, other Pinoys would want to take the opportunity for career growth, studying or researching online. Ana Alicante, also a public relations practitioner who had just returned from a sojourn in Mt. Kazbegi, Georgia, said she is working on her MBA at Hult International Business School. “I will use the long weekend to catch up on my readings,” she said.
6. Team building. Pinoys who have been to the UAE long enough to become successful in their start-up business have other things in mind, among them, Roland Crisostomo, who runs a technical services company. “We are planning on having a team building, probably in Umm al Quwain,” he said.
7. Tambay sa flat. Yes, it can be a drag but with no plans, the best option is to just wait it out in the flats. “As usual, tambay lang,” said Aby Bokingo, another PR practitioner. “Nothing interesting. Gusto sana naming magbiyahe sa Montenegró kaya lang dahil peak season, triple ang cost ng pamasahe,” she said.
8. Photo walk. Hundreds of Pinoys in Dubai are very much into photography and it’s not surprising why a routine photo walk is on the Eid calendar. Danika Jade Ortaliz, graphic designer has two plans. “Magluto lang sa bahay kasi sobrang init at magphoto walk sa hapon o gabi.” Same with Dawn Julius Bleza, “I plan to do a photo walk at the Spice Market.”
9. Visit relatives. A lot of Pinoys actually have extended families living in the neighboring emirates, thus a quick reunion during the Eid break is on the to-do list like George Requerme, president of the OFW Global Movement – Dubai. “I plan to visit my aunt in Abu Dhabi.” Like him, Antonio Buenos is looking at driving to Fujairah from Dubai, also to see his aunt. “Matagal na kasing miss ko ang bulalo nya,” he said.
10. Catch up on lost sleep. Still others would prefer to dig in their bed, tweak the AC’s settings to “very cold,” roll in the comforter, turn off the lights and sleep it off.
11. Malling. No travel? No staycation? No relatives to visit? Head to the malls. “Magpalipas-oras lang and find new friends,” as Danny Geroso and his flatmates would say. Besides, malls are really busy these days of Eid.
12. Finish the dirty laundry and clean the bunk. No place to go on Eid? How about emptying the laundry basket? “Pasok sa schedule ko yan,” said Ruby Genoroso, beauty salon employee. “Lagi kasi bawas-bawas lang. Ngayon, uubusin ko na talaga!” And while at it, clean the bunk, too, for when was the last time you did so?
13. Potluck party. It’s almost “matic” for Pinoys staying at the flats to pass the hat, hit the fish market and prepare anything from kare-kare to papaitan and bring out the karaoke for a potluck party during Eid. What do you have in your place?
14. Live in the gym. The health buffs would love it. Spending the weekend pumping iron, running the treadmill…the whole nine yards.
15. Movie marathon. Popcorn and movies in bed the whole day. Nirvana! This is so especially for weary bone OFWs. In some flats, they actually mingle together by the sofa with eyes glued on the flatwall TV.
