JEDDAH, 16 November 2003 — Filipino workers in Jeddah’s industrial area got a morale booster recently with a citation from a Saudi businessman.
“Be it in sports or in any other field, the Filipino always stands out from the rest; they do extremely well in every line of work,” Dr. Khalid Bahaziq told more than 1,000 Filipinos and a number of Arabs and other nationalities during a cultural program dubbed “Gabi ng Pinoy” (Filipino Night).
Bahaziq, who was among the guest speakers, said he should know because he had long been dealing with plenty of expatriate workers.
“I am pleased to acknowledge the Filipino workers’ capacity to organize activities such as this basketball tournament. But I admire you more for your contribution to the progress of Saudi Arabia by way of your skills and dedication to work,” he said.
Bahaqiz is an active supporter of Cooperative Office for Call and Guidance (COCG), which organized the cultural event in conjunction with the opening of the basketball tournament of the Philippine Expatriates Basketball Association (PEBA).
The event, held at the Islamic Center at Phase 1, Industrial Estate, was highlighted by a film presentation and poster exhibits of COCG activities, and the distribution of valuable gifts and prizes through raffle draws.
Choral numbers were performed by the Islamic Center’s students. Among these were the “Paglisan,” a narration of a worker’s sad departure for abroad, “People of the World,” and an Islamic song or “nasheed” in English. Faisal Enriquez rendered a poem titled “Alay sa Migranteng Manggagawa (Tribute to OFWs).”
In the raffle draw, winners took home prizes such as a computer, a video camera, a microwave oven, a refrigerator, a washing machine, three mobile phones, shirts and household items.
The event was jointly sponsored by The National Commercial Bank, Giordano, Oasis Establishent, Al-Watheer Factory and Al-Safi Dairy Products.