Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. said, “The Filipinos’ dominant global helping presence single-handedly vindicated our push for receiving countries to adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. I was there in the United Nations when some countries expressed reservations over the Global Compact. Many of these countries now see the Filipino as essential to their recovery. They cannot heal without you. The global Filipino has redefined to a higher level what it means to be an essential worker. I cannot convey enough of my deep respect for you.”

The message of Philippine Labour and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III in Filipino was read by Labour Attache for Dubai and the Northern Emirates Felicitas Bay. It is about the worth of the Filipino labour force wherever situated, which enables and brings hope to the resurgence of the world economy amidst the prevailing Novel Coronavirus crisis.

It has been a tradition for Ambassador Quintana, who arrived in Abu Dhabi in 2018, to give due “Parangal sa Araw ng Kasarinlan” (“Honour on Philippine Independence Day”) recognition. For this year, the honorees are the officers and members of the Filfood organisation for elevating Philippine culinary arts and the food and beverage sector in the UAE, an example of which is the importation and distribution of cacao from the farmers and farmlands of the Agusan Provinces in Northern Mindanao, leading to a boutique outlet in Dubai Mall.

The Sentro Rizal Special Awardees are John Paul Faderogao and Aileen Alba. Faderogao is a visual artist who led the conceptualisation and completion in two weeks’ time of a mural for the RAK Filipino Club centre, a land gifted to the Filipinos in Ras Al Khaimah way back in 1998 by the then Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

Alba is cited for her earnest, prudent and responsible use of the social media as an effective means of communication and correct information against the backdrop of trolling and fake news.

The Philippine Independence Day Friendship Awards recipients are consultant/former Emaar Hospitality Group general manager Sharihan Al Mashary, Liwa Minor/The Coffee Club chief executive officer (CEO) Ravi Chandran, World Luxury Group chairman Graham Cooke, RAK Hospital CEO Dr. Jean Marc Gauer and Abrahamic Business Club chairman Dr. Raphael Nagel. Al Mashary, Chandran, Cooke, Gauer, and Nagel believe in the potential of the Filipinos to become global visionaries and leaders.

They are the core of advisers to the newly-formed Philippine Partnership Circle, a non-profit organisation under the patronage of the Office of the Philippine Ambassador and whose Board of Directors chairman/president is long-time UAE resident Marlene Murphy.