“The financial literacy briefing is part of this year's celebration which is geared toward reflecting the Filipino identity as well as customs and traditions,” Philippine Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor told Arab News during a meeting with the PhilHealth delegation which paid him a courtesy call at his office on Thursday.
The delegation, headed by PhilHealth President Dr. Rey B. Aquino, will launch the first PhilHealth office in the Middle East on Friday at the Riyadh Palace Hotel. The launching is part of celebrations marking the country’s Independence Day.
“There have been requests for PhilHealth to make its services more accessible to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia,” Aquino told Arab News. PhilHealth is a government corporation administering the Philippines’ national health program.
A health awareness program will also be held in the basement of the embassy from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday to promote physical fitness among OFWs. Welfare Officer José Tomas V. Octavio is the program’s coordinator.
A photo exhibit will follow at 4.30 p.m. at the embassy’s Mabini Hall with Second Secretary Nino Anthony E. Balagtas as coordinator. Philippine Airlines (PAL) is also participating by sending three flight attendants to assist the ambassador during the exhibit.
“Flyers on Philippine tourism will also be available as an attempt to promote domestic tourism among OFWs," said Rey P. Garcia, PAL country manager for Saudi Arabia. PAL has donated a plane ticket for actress Boots Anson Roa. It will also offer discounted tickets to others.
On June 11, a sports and food festival will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. "In keeping with projecting the Filipino identity as the main thrust of the celebration, native games will be played instead of basketball and volleyball," said Vice Consul Roussel T. Reyes, coordinator. As expected, native Filipino dishes will be available to OFWs longing for home cooking.
Attaché Sheila H. Solas will serve as coordinator during the flag raising ceremony at 7 a.m. on June 12 at the embassy’s Liwasang Bonifacio Multipurpose court. At 6 p.m., Kimverlie S. Molina, TFC Pop Star Grand Middle East Champion in 2006 and Grand Champion Vocalist of the World at the World Championship of Performing Arts in Hollywood in 2009, will be featured during the "Konsierto ng Kalayaan" (Freedom Concert) with Assistant Labor Attaché Wally Villazor as coordinator.
On June 18, a film will be shown at the Liwasang Bonifacio Multipurpose court with Rose Marie B. Villamor as coordinator. On June 24, an oratorical contest will take center stage at 6.30 p.m. The celebration will culminate in a "Filipino Community Night" at the Riyadh Palace Hotel on June 25 at 7 p.m. with Labor Attaché Albert Valenciano as coordinator.
In Jeddah, the Consulate General started its celebration on May 27 with the holding of a tennis tournament, which will run until June 11, according to Consul Leo Tito L. Ausan, Jr.
"Various activities have also been lined up for the celebration, such as a photo and painting exhibit, Migrant Worker's Day, a tennis tournament, a workshop on protocol and social graces, "Araw ng Watawat" (Flag Day), "Pinoy Fashionista," and a concert in Yanbu among others," Ausan said.
