Filipino expats join forces to keep Saudi Arabia green

Filipino expats join forces to keep Saudi Arabia green
As of October, the group has 200 volunteers, collected 356 bags of trash, and planted 100 trees. They have held more than 10 cleanup drives in Heet Caves Park, Sha’ib Luha, and in other southern parts of Riyadh. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 October 2022

Filipino expats join forces to keep Saudi Arabia green

Filipino expats join forces to keep Saudi Arabia green
  • Volunteer group sees clearing trash and planting trees as ‘way to give back to society’

JEDDAH: Every Friday before the break of dawn, Jimrey Buntas Dapin boards a bus with his group and travels to the deserts in Riyadh to pick up trash and plant trees in support of the Saudi Green Initiative.

Dapin, 29, is one of five co-founders of the Filipinos for the Saudi Green Initiative, a group set up in 2020 after being inspired by the work of other volunteer bodies, the Environmental Green Horizons Society and Green Daqla.

While the Saudi Green Initiative seeks to combat climate change and improve the quality of life for future generations, Dapin and his group found that their volunteer work also allows them to give back to Saudi Arabia. 

“Working in Saudi Arabia has given me a good life here, and it has made my family’s lifestyle better back home in the Philippines. Thus, I feel the responsibility to give back to society,” said Dapin. 

“My simple way of giving back to the society was tree planting and desert cleanup. We live here in the same space and ecosystem, so it’s everyone’s responsibility.” 

Dapin, who works at a Riyadh-based company, is also a licensed social studies teacher. He encourages his students and peers to “participate in social and civic responsibilities.”

With all major objectives of the Kingdom aligned with Vision 2030, the Filipinos are using the year as a number to reach by each member — in terms of bags of trash collected and trees planted.

As of October, the group has 200 volunteers, collected 356 bags of trash, and planted 100 trees. They have held more than 10 cleanup drives in Heet Caves Park, Sha’ib Luha, and in other southern parts of Riyadh. During one of their recent trips, the group collected 3,000 plastic bottles in just five hours from the Red Sand area. All the trash collected is delivered to a local recycling facility.

“For cleanup drives, we enquire from our friends about the public places and research the location before embarking on the trip,” said Dapin. 

Dapin said they started with just a handful of community members passionate about the environment, but pictures of their work on Twitter attracted attention and traction.

One of people who saw the social media posts was Mary Abigail Pajarillo, who works as a public diplomacy assistant at the Philippine Embassy in the Kingdom. “I have been residing in the Kingdom since I was three years old. For me, (the) Kingdom is my first home. I saw one of the posts of Jimrey on Twitter, and it piqued my interest since I was not aware that a group of Filipinos was volunteering for such an activity. Whenever I’m free, I’m always ready to join.”

For Reine Baquiano, a Filipino engineer, joining the group was also an introduction to social work. “Volunteering is a first for me and I have grown to enjoy it and learn as I go with the process.” 

Dapin said it takes him and his team a week to plan a trip that comprises conducting meetings with authorities, making travel arrangements, shopping for trash bags, gloves, food and water for the attendees, and creating social media posts pre- and post-trip while juggling full-time jobs. 

“It’s all commitment and love for the environment here in the Kingdom.” 

Once everything is set, volunteers “wake up 3 a.m. every weekend to do their part for their home, Saudi Arabia.”

SAPTCO, a transport company, provides free transport for the group as part of its social responsibility program.

Several good Samaritans and organizations including Tadweer, Dunkin Donuts and Romansiah offer support to the group.

Their work has garnered significant praise on Twitter from Saudis. While overwhelmed with all the support and encouragement, Dapin believes “that caring and protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility not just the citizens and government.”


Saudi crown prince chairs weekly Cabinet session

Saudi crown prince chairs weekly Cabinet session
Updated 36 sec ago

Saudi crown prince chairs weekly Cabinet session

Saudi crown prince chairs weekly Cabinet session

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs weekly Cabinet session.

— More to follow.


Second Collectors’ Circle exhibition opens at ATHR gallery in Jeddah

Second Collectors’ Circle exhibition opens at ATHR gallery in Jeddah
Updated 06 June 2023

Second Collectors’ Circle exhibition opens at ATHR gallery in Jeddah

Second Collectors’ Circle exhibition opens at ATHR gallery in Jeddah
  • Featuring prominent Saudi and Arab artists, the second Collectors’ Circle aims to develop patronage culture in the region

JEDDAH: The second ATHR Collectors’ Circle for 2023 has opened its doors to the public in Jeddah, featuring editioned artworks by some of the region’s most prominent names.

Spread across a vast area, the exhibition is a vibrant and elegant collection that will intrigue art collectors and enthusiasts alike. The works are interspersed within the permanent collection to create a trail throughout the exhibition center.

Athr Gallery’s second Collectors’ Circle exhibition was curated by Solafa Rawas and Ola bin Saqran and runs until July 31; it features an accompanying program on art collection and patronage. (Instagram/athrart)

Contributing artists include Sara Abdu, Ahmed Mater, Sarah Abuabdallah, Ahaad Al-Amoudi, Mohammed Al-Faraj, Reem Al-Nasser, Dana Awartani, and Ayman Yosri Daydban among others.

The ACC aims to develop an art patronage culture within the Saudi art scene and highlight works that have been displayed at prestigious institutions.

The current exhibition, curated by Solafa Rawas and Ola bin Saqran, runs until July 31.

‘And Make Me light,’ 2023, Farah Behbehani. (Supplied)

Rawas, also an art advisor specializing in Saudi contemporary art, told Arab News that the ACC, in addition to highlighting artists, is about starting a conversation.

“It is an educational exhibition for the younger generation. In this exhibition, we have gathered very important artists who have been exhibiting their art locally and internationally,” Rawas said.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The second Collectors’ Circle exhibition can be viewed at Athr Gallery in Jeddah.

• Contributing artists include Sara Abdu, Ahmed Mater, Ahaad Al-Amoudi, Mohammed Al-Faraj and Reem Al-Nasser among others.

The exhibition features rare, mixed-media works by prominent local and international creatives in the contemporary art scene.

‘My Hopes and your dreams,’ 2021, Ahaad Al-Amoudi. (Supplied)

“Delights I, 2023” by Sultan bin Fahad was created on hand-knotted silk and wool carpet. “My Hopes and Your Dreams, 2021” by Al-Amoudi is a video installation with action figures. “And Make Me Light, 2023” by Farah Behbehani involves the use of OCE print with silver wax and diamond dust.

Other mediums include graphite drawing on wood, tomato seeds in resin, and collages, demonstrating the range of artistic talent on display.

The ACC organizes various exhibitions, events, and seminars that provide art enthusiasts the opportunity to network and interact with artists, professionals, and global collectors who can help navigate the art market landscape and offer guidance on art patronage.

The exhibition will be running an accompanying program that focuses on different aspects of art collection and patronage.

 

 


‘Better late than never’: Salwa Al-Omani graduates at 70

Salwa Al-Omani, Sociology graduate
Salwa Al-Omani, Sociology graduate
Updated 06 June 2023

‘Better late than never’: Salwa Al-Omani graduates at 70

Salwa Al-Omani, Sociology graduate
  • Al-Omani said: “I cannot describe my feelings, now that I have achieved my long-awaited dream.” She added that she has received a huge number of calls from well-wishers and thanked God for her success

MAKKAH: At 70 years old, Salwa Al-Omani is the oldest woman to graduate with a bachelor of arts degree from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in Dammam.

With a GPA of 4.75/5, Al-Omani ranked first in her class and received an excellence award at the university’s 44th graduation ceremony attended by Princess Abeer bint Faisal bin Turki.

Al-Omani returned to her education after a 50-year gap, proving that nothing is impossible for someone who has determination.

She told Arab News: “I cannot describe my feelings, now that I have achieved my long-awaited dream.” She added that she has received a huge number of calls from well-wishers and thanked God for her success.

The moment I was honored by Princess Abeer, wearing my graduation gown and overwhelmed with feelings of joy for completing a journey that was interrupted 50 years ago, is priceless.

Salwa Al-Omani, Sociology graduate

“The moment I was honored by Princess Abeer bint Faisal bin Turki Al-Saud, wearing my graduation gown and overwhelmed with feelings of joy for completing a journey that was interrupted 50 years ago, is priceless.”

Al-Omani left high school at the age of 18 in 1971, following which her family moved to Basra, Iraq. She was accepted into the University of Basra to major in chemistry. However, “due to family reasons, I accepted my cousin’s proposal to marry me.

“So I couldn’t complete my university studies at that time. Later on, the family moved to Kuwait, to finally settle in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Al-Omani has two sons and three daughters who have graduated as doctors and engineers. She has been living in Dammam since the 1980s.

When she was able to resume her education, her lost high school diploma document posed an issue. She explained, “As soon as I thought of completing my studies, I explained my story to the senior high school director who said that, due to the long break period, I had to take classes all over again.

“I went to meet female educators in the eastern region. I was very confident of my educational competence, given that our generation has been strongly acquainted with all types of science.”

That meeting took place nine years ago, and Al-Omani was granted the approval to complete her studies. However, she had to start from the intermediate second grade, sitting for exams at the education department, and later on obtaining the third intermediate grade certificate in an intermediary school.

“The situation was embarrassing that year, given that I was taking the test with girls the age of my grandchildren who had clear looks of confusion on their face,” she said.

That did not deter her. “Nothing has affected my determination, and I decided to show some endurance and move forward. I obtained my certificate indeed and moved on to completing senior high school studies. I attended regularly and excelled to deserve my certificate.”

Al-Omani scored 82 on the General Aptitude Test (GAT) and 83 on the SAAT in preparation for her university education.

“I enrolled in the faculty of arts, department of sociology, at the Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. I was accepted in the literary department despite me having a high school diploma in science,” she said.

“I was accepted into the sociology department in 2019. The dream came true.”

Al-Omani said that “with determination, the word ‘impossible’ does not exist,” that hope should not be lost, and that “it is better late than never.”

Determination and persistence are key to success, and “what separates any of us from achieving any goal in life is believing in ourselves and being confident in our capacities. This is the purpose of existing.”

 


Malaysia king sees off Hajj pilgrims traveling via Makkah Route initiative

Malaysia’s king and the Saudi ambassador to Kuala Lumpur bid farewelll to Malaysian Hajj pilgrims traveling to the Kingdom.
Malaysia’s king and the Saudi ambassador to Kuala Lumpur bid farewelll to Malaysian Hajj pilgrims traveling to the Kingdom.
Updated 06 June 2023

Malaysia king sees off Hajj pilgrims traveling via Makkah Route initiative

Malaysia’s king and the Saudi ambassador to Kuala Lumpur bid farewelll to Malaysian Hajj pilgrims traveling to the Kingdom.
  • “We hope that the close relationship that has been established for a long time between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia will continue to serve the pilgrims,” the king said

RIYADH: Malaysia’s king and the Saudi ambassador to Kuala Lumpur Musaed bin Ibrahim Al-Saleem saw off Malaysian Hajj pilgrims traveling to the Kingdom via the Makkah Route initiative on Tuesday.

During a speech he gave on the occasion, King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah expressed his appreciation to the Kingdom for all the services and assistance it provides to Malaysian pilgrims.

“We hope that the close relationship that has been established for a long time between Malaysia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue to serve the pilgrims,” the king said.

The Makkah Route initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s Guests of God Service Program and seeks to provide visitors to the holy sites with the finest possible services to help them perform their Hajj rituals easily and comfortably.


US Secretary of State Blinken arrives in Saudi Arabia

US Secretary of State Blinken arrives in Saudi Arabia
Updated 35 min 30 sec ago

US Secretary of State Blinken arrives in Saudi Arabia

US Secretary of State Blinken arrives in Saudi Arabia
  • Blinken’s trip comes as the Kingdom and US seek to broker a durable cease-fire in Sudan

JEDDAH: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Blinken’s trip comes as the Kingdom and US seek to broker a durable cease-fire between Sudan’s warring generals in ongoing talks in Jeddah.

Earlier this week, the State Department said Blinken would meet with Saudi officials to “discuss US-Saudi strategic cooperation on regional and global issues and a range of bilateral issues including economic and security cooperation.”

Blinken will participate in a US-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ministerial meeting to discuss growing cooperation with Gulf partners and how they can promote security, stability, de-escalation, regional integration, and economic opportunities across the Middle East, spokesman Matt Miller said.

Blinken and Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan will co-host a ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh “to address the continuing threat of (Daesh) and reaffirm our commitment to ensure its enduring defeat,” he added.

His trip also comes as the US State Department affirmed on Tuesday Washington’s commitment to strengthening its security partnership with Saudi Arabia, including defense sales, joint exercises and combating missile proliferation.

It added that cooperation with Saudi Arabia in order to ensure regional stability remained one of the “pillars of our bilateral relationship,” which was based on “common interest in the security of the Gulf region and preventing any foreign or regional power from threatening the region.”