JEDDAH, 1 July 2007 — Consul General Pendosina N. Lomondot on Friday paid tribute to Overseas Filipino Workers, citing their creativity and unfailing spirit of volunteerism.

Speaking at the culmination of month-long festivities in celebration of Philippine Independence Day in the Western Region, Lomondot said it is the same volunteer spirit or bayanihan that continues to give hope to compatriots who are not as fortunate as the others.

Lomondot took the occasion to report on the progress of repatriation efforts for Filipinos in the Kingdom, some coming from as far as the Eastern Provnce, who have sought help from the consulate to return home.

He announced that 305 of these have already been cleared by immigration authorities to leave and flights are now being arranged for their return to the Philippines. He said 147 more are still being “processed.”

“In due time, these remaining unfortunate compatriot of ours will also return home,” he said, noting that 282 had already been repatriated with the help of the Saudi government.

Lomondot, as the main speaker during the “Gabi ng Kultura at Parangal” or cultural night, also thanked everyone, notably the community organizations and schools, who helped make the celebration a success.

Medical Mission

Among these volunteers were Dr. Mina Victor and her friends, who gave free medical consultations to the stranded Filipinos awaiting repatriation at the Passport Department’s temporary “processing” center at the Jeddah Seaport.

An Indian doctor and an Egyptian doctor also joined about 50 Filipino doctors, dentists, optometrists, dieticians, pharmacists, physiotherapist, nurses and other medical professionals in a medical mission at the consulate on June 22.

Organized by Circulo Ilongo Saudi Arabia (CISA), the medical mission served about 250 members of the community, including distressed workers sheltered at the consulate’s welfare center, said CISA President Juliet Roa. “This annual medical mission is our own small way of reaching out to our compatriots with the help of our volunteers,” said Roa.

One of the volunteers was Cynthia Castro, a dentist who has not failed to respond whenever she was notified of CISA’s mission, said she felt good being of help.

“I invite our kababayans who can help to join us on this medical and dental mission. We can always make a difference when we render service to fellow-OFWs who may not be able to afford medical and dental services,” she said.

Renier Pineda, a nurse at Erfan Hospital, said he finds fulfillment whenever he joins medical missions.

Sheril Custodio, a nurse at King Fahd Military Hospital, said:

“Apart from giving me a chance to serve fellow OFWs, medical missions also give me a chance to meet new friends and other people.”

During the one-day mission, Maria Antonette, a clinical dietician also of King Fahd Military Hospital, noted that one of the common complaints of that day had something to do with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity (taba) and high cholesterol level.

“We have to emphasize the importance of proper diet, proper choice of food and change of lifestyle by increasing activities on exercise,” she explained.

Chefs in Action

Last Friday, Filipino chefs in hotels and restaurants in Jeddah showed their mettle during a cooking and food demonstration at the consulate.

“Kung pagluluto lang ang pag-uusapan, hindi naiiiwanan ang Pilipino (We are also competitive when it comes to cooking),” said Ricardo Ramos, the champion chef in the Jeddah Inter-Hotel Competition that was held at the Jeddah Exhibition Center in May 2005.

Ramos on Friday again showed what stuff he’s made of as he performed a fruit carving exhibition. Lamberto Cadang of Le Meriudien Hotel wowed consulate officials and community members as he demonstrated his talent in ice sculpting, while Robertson Rosales and Roger Cabacang did an actual cooking exhibition. A week before, the chefs organized themselves into the Association of World Class Filipino Chefs in Jeddah (AWCFCJ), with the aim of promoting camaraderie among themselves and sharing their skills and talents with fellow OFWs who want to learn how to cook.

Manny Zafra, the group’s organizer who works in Saudi Fisheries and one of the founding member and consulting director of the group, said they are inviting other chefs in Jeddah to join the group and either share their skills or learn.

The association is headed by Roger Cabacang as chief executive officer. Lito Orso is the vice president, Rosales is the secretary, Pablo Gonzales is the treasurer, Ramos is the auditor, Rommel Francisco is project coordinator. Those who are interested may call Roger Cabacang at 05150-37602 and Zafra at 05693-21268.

Cultural Night

In addition to the chefs’ exhibition, a bazaar and volleyball games pitting were also held at the consulate.

At sundown, participants from the SE Productions, the Hawak Kamay Gabay Dance Group, and the various Filipino schools in Jeddah entertained the community with songs and dances.

The cultural night, however, almost turned into a nightmare when the contingent Pearl of the Orient International School walked out. According to Aiza Sufero, the team manager of the basketball team of POIS, they felt bad because other schools were given more numbers.

Paul Antiporda, head of the organizing committee, said the POIS was given its own number but it was spoiled by a defective CD.