Latest news with #Kalayaan
Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Nahyan bin Mubarak celebrates Philippine Independence in Dubai
The event, organised by 'Emirates Loves Philippines' with Dubai Police, welcomed over 40,000 attendees, including Filipino community members, diplomats, and UAE officials. Honouring Filipino contributions In his speech, Sheikh Nahyan congratulated the Filipino community and praised their impact on UAE society across healthcare, education, business, and the arts. He emphasized the shared values of the UAE and the Philippines—respect, optimism, and community. New writing initiative: 'What the UAE Means to Me' Sheikh Nahyan launched a new competition with Sandooq Al Watan, inviting residents to share stories, poems, or essays about life in the UAE. Open to all ages and nationalities, winning entries will be published and honored at a national event. Dignitaries and performances Philippine officials including Secretary Hans Cacdac, consuls, and UAE dignitaries attended. Stars from The Filipino Channel and UAE-based performers showcased Filipino talent through music, dance, and cultural presentations. A festival of culture and unity The 12-hour celebration featured live shows, food stalls, cosplay, raffles, and family activities. 'Kalayaan' served as a symbol of the strong UAE–Philippine friendship and the UAE's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
GMA Network
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Artifacts from Ambeth Ocampo's collection up for auction at Leon Gallery's Spectacular Mid-Year Auction in June
Select artifacts from the collection of renowned Filipino historian Ambeth Ocampo will be up for auction at Leon Gallery's Spectacular Mid-Year Auction 2025 on June 7. As seen in the museum's auction catalog, the treasures from what Ocampo calls his 'Cabinet of Curiosities" that will be up for auction include Emilio Jacinto's silver quill, which the national hero won as a prize possibly while a student at San Juan de Letran. 'Emilio Jacinto celebrates his 150th birthday in 2025, and the silver quill was a prize as a top poet of his university. In modern terms, being the top influencer, meme-maker of his time,' Leon Gallery consultant Lisa Nakpil told GMA News Online. According to Nakpil, the silver quill symbolizes the importance of communication in nation-building. 'He was 17 at the time and 18 when he put up the Kalayaan newspaper, recruiting 30,000 Katipunan members. It's a symbol of what communication can do in building a nation,' she said. Other artifacts from Ocampo's collection are the Malolos Constitution, which Nakpil described as a 'very rare artifact' of the First Philippine Republic. There are also Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo's tortoiseshell walking stick and personal bank draft, a rare set of Wenceslao E. Retana's "Archivo del Bibliofilo Filipino," and other important books on Philippine history, geography, and botany. More curiosities include photographs of Jose Rizal and Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, photographs of Juan Luna's 'Odalisca' and 'Hymén, oh Hyménée" paintings, and paper currency of the Malolos Republic, among others. Nakpil underscored the significance of these artifacts as markers for people to understand and learn from the past. '[These are] important because they are touchstones of Filipino history, its heroes and our identity – curated by the country's most beloved historian, former chair of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and an international scholar and expert Ambeth R. Ocampo,' she said. The Spectacular Mid-Year Auction 2025 will be held at the Leon Gallery in Makati City on June 7 at 2 p.m. View the complete catalog. —CDC, GMA Integrated News
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.
