JEDDAH, 28 June — Members of the Filipino community are invited to participate in the Kalelang Festival 2002, a cultural presentation showcasing the best of Filipino Muslim culture and arts, at the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah today.
The event will also feature the induction of the new officials of Malumbay International, the organizer of the festival.
Malumbay is an organization named for the Royal House of Lumba-a-Bayabao Principality, composed of the towns of Maguing and Lumba Bayabao of Lanao del Sur province in central Mindanao.
Outgoing Malumbay chairman Mitchell Hadji Omar said the festivities, part of the celebration of Philippine Independence day, starts at 6 p.m. Omar said the event is in coordination with the United Bangsaranao Council (UBC), the United Maguindanao Expatriate Association (UMEA), and Kasapi Congress (Kapulungan ng mga Samahang Pilipinounder the auspice of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah.
The Kalelang Festival 2002, according to Omar, is meant “to forge better understanding and harmonious co-existence among Filipinos in Jeddah through mutual appreciation of our common culture heritage that binds us together as one people.”
“It is also my fervent hope that this event will inspire us to preserve and promote Filipino culture and arts, and instill in our mind and heart the Filipino value.
“As we pay tribute to our undaunted heroes for their gallantry and sacrifice in their relentless struggle for freedom and independence, we join other patriotic Filipinos in affirming our conviction, that is: Bayan ko, Sagot ko! The theme of this year’s Philippine Independence Day,” Omar said in a press release.
