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Filipino Times
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
Celebrate Philippine Independence Day at City Centre Deira: Shop, win, and experience Filipino pride!
City Centre Deira is proudly joining the Filipino community in commemorating the 127th Philippine Independence Day with a vibrant showcase of culture, creativity, and exciting rewards! From June 5 to 15, the mall transforms into a festive hub for Filipino pride, offering shoppers engaging experiences and exclusive promotions. Shop & Win In the spirit of celebration, City Centre Deira invites shoppers to join its 'Shop & Win' promotion. Simply spend AED 300 during the campaign period, and you'll get a chance to win a whopping 127,000 SHARE points—equivalent to AED 12,700 in your SHARE Wallet. From fashion and beauty to dining and entertainment, every purchase brings shoppers closer to winning. Adding a personalized touch to the festivities, the mall is also hosting a Customization Booth from June 6 to 15. Visitors who spend AED 200 can enjoy crafting their own tote bags and charms—unique keepsakes that allow them to proudly express their Filipino identity in style. 'City Centre Deira's celebration of Philippine Independence Day reflects our ongoing commitment to cultural inclusivity and diversity by honoring the rich heritage and vibrant community of the Philippines,' the organizers said. Join the grand celebration The highlight of the celebration takes place on June 12 with a grand flag-raising ceremony at 3:00 PM. His Excellency Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, will be in attendance alongside Majid Al Futtaim Managing Director Fuad Mansoor Sharaf. The event will feature a cultural parade and a lively marching band of over 100 students, with the proud participation of the Filipino Social Club. Located in Al Rigga, City Centre Deira continues to be a favorite destination among expatriates. Through its annual Independence Day activities, the mall reaffirms its commitment to cultural inclusivity and celebrates the diversity that makes Dubai unique.
Filipino Times
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
First day of online voting in UAE shows strong turnout
The first day of online voting for Filipinos in the UAE has already shown promising results, according to H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE. In a statement, His Excellency said many found the system practical, secure, and credible. While some technical issues were reported on the first day, H.E. Ver said these were resolved quickly through the 24/7 tech support provided by COMELEC. 'The first day of overseas online voting started with some technical issues, but we were not deterred, and these issues were addressed by the 24/7 tech support of the COMELEC,' His Excellency said. The Embassy also reported that several Filipinos came to the polling precinct not just to vote, but also to ask for help in enrolling online. 'I am not allowed to tell you the actual number of those who voted, but it was a promising turnout and more importantly, it helped in accelerating the rate of online enrollment (which can still be done until 07 May 2025),' His Excellency said. 'At the Polling Precinct at the Embassy, there were many cases who came to get assistance in enrolling online and then went ahead to cast their votes,' he added. The Philippine Ambassador to the UAE also pointed out how this is different from past elections and proves the convenience of online voting. 'The interesting thing is that there was no queue of people who came to vote, which was a standard feature of the previous overseas voting,' he said. 'This proves that online voting is the way to go for our community in the UAE. The online voting system is indeed not just a practical and easy way, but at the same time secure and credible,' he added. Enrollment figures Currently, enrollment figures are at about 5% of the total 66,001 registered voters in Abu Dhabi. H.E. Ver encouraged more Filipinos to enroll and vote, emphasizing the importance of participation. 'I reiterate my call on the community, particularly the registered voters, to enroll and cast their votes and show the power and presence of the Overseas Filipinos in strengthening our democratic institutions and make a concrete contribution to shaping and building the future of the Philippines,' he concluded. Filipinos in the UAE experienced online voting for the first time on April 13, 2025, allowing them to cast their votes anytime from home without lining up at Philippine missions.
Gulf Today
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Filipinos in UAE to vote online as polls open today
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ferdinand Ver has repeated his call for the 189,892 registered Filipino voters across the seven emirates, to enrol over the Philippines' Commission on Elections (Comelec) overseas voting portal so their favoured senatorial and party-list representative candidates, have the chance to be part of the national legislative bodies for the crafting and enactment of laws towards nationhood, beginning July 2025. Ver made the reiteration on Saturday morning when he oversaw the Final Lockdown and Sealing (FLS) of the landmark Comelec Online Overseas Voting and Overseas Counting System (OV/OCS), the Comelec-designated Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEIs) at the Philippine Embassy-Abu Dhabi, conducted. 'We are not campaigning for any candidate. We are campaigning for your active participation at this online voting, the first in the history of Philippine Elections, with 189,892 Filipinos in the UAE, the largest out of the 1,241,690 registered voters worldwide,' said Ver, viewed by followers of the Philippine Embassy-Abu Dhabi Facebook Page. The top diplomat made the appeal as he mentioned as well that of the 1,241,690, only 48,000 had registered, since the voting enrolment portal was also opened for the test vote on March 20. He cited the GMA-7 Online news that quoted on Friday, Comelec chairman George Garcia from Manila, adding that of the 48,000, 15 per cent or 7,200 were from the UAE. For the Doubting Thomases on the authenticity and security features of the OV -- a project of the Comelec with the Philippines' Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Ver said, 'Let us all enrol and make our voices count. Let us put our faith and trust in our country's electoral process which made possible so that Filipinos from all over the world have the chance to be heard.' On Friday afternoon and over at the Philippine Consulate General, responsible for the 123,891 certified Filipino voters in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, Consul General Marford Angeles said, 'Let us enrol until May 7. Let us cast our vote beginning April 13. Filipinos are known to spend time with their mobile phones and devices, please take this opportunity given us to cast our vote easily.' According to the 'Digital 2025: Nearly Two-Thirds of Southeast Asia's Population Are on Social Media,' published in the tnglobal website, 'Filipinos spend an average of eight hours and 52 minutes a day on the Internet – maintaining its rank as being significantly ahead of the global average of six hours and 38 minutes. Most of this time on the Internet is spent on their mobile phones at five hours 21 minutes, which is also significantly ahead of the global average of three hours and 46 minutes.' The consular mission in Dubai has its own set of Comelec-designated SBEIs which completed the FLS on Friday. They received from the Comelec-designated Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group, a Comelec-issued two dashboard/administration laptops and printer, and voting kiosk (also a laptop for onsite voting when registered voters encounter enrolment and casting issues; also for the illiterate, senior citizens, people of determination and the pregnant). Led by Ver, the Comelec-designated DFA personnel in the UAE participated at the 14-country Middle East and Africa Feb.24 to 26 OV/OCS training in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The FLS was conducted on or before April 12 in all the 77 Comelec-designated OV diplomatic and consular posts worldwide to make sure that the OCS is empty before April 13. Test votes have been encouraged even in the first manual overseas absentee voting in 2003. The activity has been part and parcel of the ecosystem to preserve the sanctity of the ballot. From the March 20 Philippine Embassy-Abu Dhabi/Philippine Consulate General-Dubai Joint Online Voting Community Briefing, Comelec-Online Voting director Atty Ian Michael Geonaga pointed out that all votes cast are 'encrypted and these are only seen by the voter himself.' Geonaga however cautioned that even as OV is adopted, any form of electioneering or coercion done on anyone in the act of casting a vote is still punishable by law: 'Still, be vigilant and please report any to us.' From the hybrid community briefing, Geonaga mentioned that he saw the necessity to go online voting when he visited the UAE during the 2022 presidential elections and saw the crowd of voters at the Philippine Embassy and Philippine Consulate General.
Filipino Times
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
Over 25,000 expected to join Kalayaan 2025 celebration in Dubai
Kalayaan 2025 is set to welcome more than 25,000 guests in a full-day celebration of Philippine Independence on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event will run from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Halls 1 and 2. Organized by Emirates Loves Philippines, Infinite Communities, and The Filipino Channel (TFC), this celebration is one of the biggest gatherings of Filipinos in the UAE. It aims to showcase Filipino culture, unity, and resilience through various performances and activities. 'This year… we aim to shine a light on the people, stories, and shared values that connect us all,' said a spokesperson for Emirates Loves Philippines. The group has over 1 million Filipino followers and is joining Kalayaan for the fourth time. 'Kalayaan 2025 is not merely a commemoration—it is a dynamic expression of the Filipino spirit. It underscores our cultural pride, our enduring contributions, and our integral role in the diverse social fabric of the UAE,' said His Excellency Ambassador Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE. 'This year, as we mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, Kalayaan takes on a deeper meaning. It coincides with the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's proclamation of 2025 as the 'Year of Community'—an initiative that calls for unity, inclusivity, and collective identity. Events like this perfectly embody the shared values that have strengthened our bilateral ties over the decades.' The program will feature live music, cultural shows, food booths, and a marketplace where small businesses and creators can showcase their work. According to the Honorable Marford Angeles, Philippine Consul General of Dubai and the Northern Emirates, 'Kalayaan 2025 is a remarkable opportunity to honour the contributions of overseas Filipinos and to strengthen bonds among our kababayans across the UAE. Each year, this event continues to grow—uniting thousands in a celebration of identity, history, and shared aspirations.' Elena C. Cruz, Founder & CEO of Infinite Communities, added, 'Bringing Kalayaan to life each year is both a responsibility and a joy. This event aligns perfectly with the very heart of our organisation's identity: By the Community, For the Community.' Josie Conlu, Community Director of Infinite Communities, said, 'Kalayaan has evolved into one of the world's premier Filipino community celebrations, and it is a privilege to contribute to its continued growth on the global stage.' As the Filipino global network continues to expand, The Filipino Channel (TFC) recognises the value of such events in building meaningful connections. 'Kalayaan is a living celebration of our shared stories,' said Audielyn Avencilla-Riola, The Filipino Channel's Marketing Head for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. TFC artists who will grace the event are Jarren Garcia and Kai Montinola of Pinoy Big Brother Generation 11.
Filipino Times
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
Pinoys in UAE join Kalayaan 2025 kick-off; main event set for June 1
The Kalayaan 2025 celebrations officially began with a kick-off party held in Deira, Dubai on April 11. The grand celebration is set to take place on June 1 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event was attended by Philippine Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Consul General Hon. Marford M. Angeles, and Vice Consul Jim Jimeno. Filipino community members and performers also joined the celebration. Ambassador Ver encouraged Filipinos to be modern-day heroes in their everyday lives. 'Pakiusap lang namin, we are being called to be heroes… just the basic things of going to our jobs, being diligent in our work… and being true to our families back home,' he said. Consul General Angeles also shared a short message, highlighting the importance of celebrating Philippine independence abroad. 'We are here because we are happy… Salamat sa inyong suporta sa ating Independence Day,' he said. The event also featured cultural performances, including singing and dancing, along with a special announcement of the celebrities expected to join the main event on June 1—Jarren Garcia and Kai Montinola. To end the night, attendees participated in a raffle draw, with winners receiving limited-edition Kalayaan 2025 t-shirts as souvenirs.
