JEDDAH, 7 June - Members of the Filipino community in Jeddah are all set for another prolonged celebration of Philippine Independence Day, with games dominating their activities.

With the theme "Bayan, Magkaisa, Manguna," the Asian Martial Arts Federation (AMAF) fired the opening salvo on June 1 with a karate and kick boxing tournament at the Philippine Consulate Grounds.

AMAF chairman Romeo "Boy" Buayan, who is also chair of the Kasapi federation, said a huge number of martial arts practitioners from different clubs in the Western Region are participating.  The champions will be known on June 15.

Kasapi is spearheading the annual celebrations, in cooperation with consulate officials led by Consul General Kadatuan Usop and Vice Consul Angelo Amonoy.

On June 8 at 7:30 a.m., six men's volleyball team will be pitted each other at the consulate grounds, featuring Philcongen vs. Filcom, followed by Tokyo Games vs. Al Majal and the main event of GNP Hospital vs. Palarong Pinoy, the recently champion in a previous tournament.

Simultaneously and also on the same venue, the chess games hosted by the Jeddah Chess Club headed by Ric Amper and Greg Leynes will hold their exhibition matches of the best of Jeddah chess aficionados.

And for those who need medical and dental care, doctors and other health workers are volunteering their services under a medical and dental mission spearheaded by the OFW Welfare International of Ed Catimbang and Bobby Mapandi's Beta Sigma Fraternity.

The AFTPA Tennis Independence Cup Tournament at Al Bilad is also underway under the supervision of adviser Boy Cornejo, while the Filipino Basketball Association (FBA) basketball tournament at Al Ahli Club of Gil Manese  is going on.

Trophies for the winners in volleyball and chess games will be provided by the Skyfreight Forwarders of Emy de Guzman, founding chairman of Kasapi, said Buayan.

Program Committee chair Ben Garcia of GACA invited all Filipinos to watch the highlight of the event that will start at 4:30 p.m., featuring the women's volleyball team of the top-seeded Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital against the King Khalid National Guard.

At the end of the day, revelers will be treated to a cultural, song and dance presentations by various community organization.

Today, Garcia said, there will be a rehearsal of all performers in the scheduled cultural, singing and dance presentations at the consulate starting at 6 p.m.

Among the other groups who have given notice of participation are  Saguiaranians International, Palarong Pinoy, , JAFEA, MAISA, Batangas Brotherhood International (BBI), OFW Cooperative Council, the Association of Filipino Civil Engineers, United Maguindanao Expatriates Association, APO, the Cebuano group CSOSA,  Association of Cabalen Expatriates, United Bangsaranao Council, the diving group ISDA, and GACA.