Eight haute couture designers from Dubai and the Northern Emirates are breathing life into revered festivals through “MALI-KHA” via Facebook Live.

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

Novel Coronavirus (COVID19) will not hinder Filipinos from commemorating their 122nd freedom day from Spain on June 12 (Friday) and with the help of advancing technology, eight established haute couture designers from Dubai and the Northern Emirates are breathing life to revered festivals--there are over a thousand across the Philippine archipelago--through the landmark “MALI-KHA” via Facebook Live.

This and more as on Friday, the Community Development Authority of Dubai-recognised Filipino Social Club and the Kalayaan (Freedom) 2020 of the Red & Beryl Marketing Management and Events, have come up with virtual programmes despite the pandemic.

Filipino Social Club will be live streaming over its Facebook Page, Instagram and Twitter accounts as well as through its website from 11 a.m. Kalayaan 2020 activities commences at 12 noon and over Kalayaan2020DNE.

Ahead of the twin celebrations, Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Paul Raymund Cortes leads the traditional annual Flag Raising Ceremonies--though virtually--at 8 a.m., considering the ban on gatherings to safeguard public health against COVID19. Cortes, through a Wednesday email to Gulf Today, highlighted the borderless-ness of advancing technology with nurturing and spreading one’s true identity and heritage,

“Now we must rethink how economics, culture, the arts and our heritage can be pursued while understanding that above them all is the health and the greater good of the majority. For a people who prides itself in communal gatherings and a very active artistic sense, this becomes a challenge. But with digital and technological information at our disposal, we look forward to an even more enticing, savvy, and perhaps more virtually-challenging celebration of who we are as a people and what we can contribute to a world that is looking forward to a new normal.”

The “Araw ng Kalayaan” (“Freedom Day”) theme for 2020 as per Manila directives is “Tungo sa Bansang Malaya, Nagtutulungan at Ligtas” (“Towards a Free, United and Safe Nation”).

Speaking of the new normal, this was what triggered the concept of the “MALI-KHA,” wherein the eight featured haute couture designers are Garimon Roferos, Harvey Cenit, Benj dela Rosa, Angel de Jesus, Angelo Estera, Aaron Cadenas, Carla Fuentes, and Jeff Silvestre.

A pun on “Maliit na Likha” (mini/puny creation) as the Filipino “malikha” is synonymous to “creative,” “MALI-KHA” was the “idea of the genius in the (Kalayaan 2020) team, Lance Japor, chairman Jason Roi Bucton, said on Thursday.

Vice-chaiperson Japor thought of it when the group had to forego the fashion segment--in the past two years titled as “Ystilo at Moda” (“Style & Fashion”)--of every PID and “Bayanihan” events in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Saying that each fashion show displays talent and ingenuity of the Filipino designer, Japor added: “I do not think we must leave this out. But due to COVID19, it is a big concern to stage it. Yet, we cannot stop the creative Pinoy. So I said, instead of the usual (live mannequins), why not the mini dolls, instead. No need for the models for social distancing.”

“We can say ‘MALI-KHA’ is the mini version; the passion and (artistry) of the Filipino designer is still very much around in our smaller scale celebrations. Through advancing technology, the reach is wider in real time,” Japor also said.

The Friday celebrations will be filled with virtually-prepared speeches as well as song-and-dance numbers.

The two organisations shall also honour Filipinos who have raised the bar of the “Lahing Kayumanggi” (“Malay/Brown Race”) through awards.

Filipino Social Club shall confer the “Gawad Pinoy (Filipino Prize) 2020” and “Gawad Pinoy Senior Citizen 2020” on 26 individuals who have “exceptionally and significantly contributed in advancing the cause and interest of the Filipinos in their respective professions and interests not only in the UAE but worldwide,” said “PID2020” chairman Tom Lladoc.

Kalayaan 2020 is going to recognise five of 12 shortlisted for the “Dakilang Bayani (“Great Hero”) 2020; those who have exhibited high moral and ethical attributes, excels in his/her profession and have been of service to fellow Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.