RIYADH, 17 November 2004 — The “Classroom, Galing sa Mamamayang Pilipino Abroad” (CGMA) project of the Philippine government gets a shot in the arm when the first ever ballroom and dancing competition to be held at the Philippine Embassy takes center stage on Friday under the auspices of the umbrella group Unified Council of Community Leaders (UNCLE).
“We hope to raise the amount needed to construct four classrooms for the Arellano High School (AHS) in Manila, where I graduated in 1974,” Cesar C. Saavedra, UNCLE secretary-general, told Arab News yesterday. Under the CGMA project, the donor(s) can select the school as beneficiary.
The competition, called “Pasiklaban 2004-Open Ballroom and Modern Dancing Competition,” will also be held on Dec. 16, 17, and Jan. 20 to choose the finalists on Jan. 21.
During the grand finals the following will be selected: Best in Tango, Best in Cha-Cha, Best in Boogie and Best in Modern Dancing. The winners will receive crystal trophies, special gift items from Jun Ordillano of the Philippine Airlines, and kitchen appliances.
“We hope to also give cash awards to the winners,” Saavedra said.
The Friday event will be the first activity to be held in connection with the CGMA project after the use of the embassy for community activities was suspended due to terrorism threat, causing an uproar among the Filipino community members.
Ambassador Bahnarim A. Guinomla said he was elated that overseas Filipinos in Riyadh, if not in the entire Kingdom, have shown willingness to support the project. He noted that their counterparts in Canada and Brunei have made good their promises.
A number of community leaders have said that with an estimated population of 800,000, OFWs in Saudi Arabia should not find it difficult to raise the needed amount for a classroom.
During the launching of the project by Labor Undersecretary Danny Cruz last year, the cost of constructing a classroom was estimated at 200,000 pesos. A classroom donated is also supposed to be matched by the Philippine government.
However, of the 19 OFW groups that pledged to donate to the project, only six groups reaffirmed their commitment. Some of the leaders of the groups have either left the Kingdom or lost interest in the project.
