For the first time, Filipinos and other staff of the Sheraton Hotel in Riyadh marked the Philippine Independence Day anniversary, with Paul C. Dunphy, GM, leading the celebration.

"We and other staff of the hotel join our Filipino colleagues in celebrating their 116th Independence Day anniversary," said Dunphy, GM, who joined Sheraton two years ago.

He noted the 46 Filipino staff are not only hard working in serving hotel customers and corporate clientele but also imbued with patriotism as far as their country is concerned.

A short program was prepared for the occasion, with Filipino life and culture, contemporary times and Philippines tourist attractions taking center stage. A singing of the Philippine national anthem kicked off the celebration.

"This celebration has been possible due to the cooperation of hotel management headed by GM Paul Dunphy, the Filipino staff who worked hard to search for the video footages and fellow employees of various nationalities," said Carlos D. Ollero, hotel training manager.

“We are looking forward to this same event next year when the 117th I-Day celebration comes around," said Ollero who has been with the hotel since 1988.