RIYADH, 3 August 2005 — Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom have expressed their sorrow over the death of Custodian of the Two Mosques King Fahd, while looking forward with optimism as erstwhile Crown Prince — now king — Abdullah replaces him.

They described him as a man of vision, guiding Saudi Arabia toward the 21st century as he oversaw great developments in various sectors while at the same time preserving the Kingdom’s customs and traditions as well as Islamic values.

In Riyadh, Dr. Carlito L. Astillero, immediate past area commander for the Middle East and Africa of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR), said that when he arrived in the 1980s, the Kingdom already had a strong economy and its people was already enjoying a relatively prosperous life.

Benny M. Quiambao, president of Calabarzon, added that OFWs are indebted to the late King Fahd in no uncertain terms.

“OFWs are indebted to the late King Fahd for the prosperity which their families are enjoying. His tolerance for foreign manpower has provided a better life for the families of expatriates of different nationalities, including Filipinos,” Quiambao said.

“I was only 21 when I came in 1979 and among the beneficiaries of the first construction boom which paved the way for a better life to my family. I have since witnessed the great strides that the Kingdom has undertaken. I have been here a long time, long enough to know what the late King Fahd did for his country and his people...,” he said.

In the Eastern Province, OFWs expressed their gratitude to King Fahd. Said Buddy Alpuerto, adviser to the Saudi Arabia Hiligaynon (SAHI), “As we grieve over the death of King Fahd, we also thank him. Under his watch, the Kingdom continued to hire OFWs.”

In Jeddah, Remar U. Guadania, former board member of the International Philippine School in Jeddah, said that he joins other OFWs grieving over the death of King Fahd.

Another OFW in Jeddah, Saibatol Dalos, an engineer from Lanao del Sur province in the southern Philippines, also expressed gratitude for the leader who he said had been compassionate not only to his countrymen but to expatriates as well, especially those coming from poorer countries.

In deference to the period of mourning, the Philippine Embassy has advised the Filipino community to cancel all programs and activities inside the Embassy Chancery compound.

Consul Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, the embassy’s administrative officer, said that an appropriate notice will be issued on the resumption of such functions.