GOVPH

DOHA 7 April 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in the State of Qatar marked the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace with a celebration of the positive impact of world class Filipino athletes who were in Doha for various sports events in recent weeks.

Philippine Ambassador to Qatar H.E. Lillibeth V. Pono was on site at the Aspire Dome in Doha as Filipino sensation Carlos Yulo capped off his stint in the second leg of the 15th Artistic Gymnastics World Cup with a three-medal haul – gold in floor exercise, silver in the parallel bars, and a bronze in vault.

Yulo outclassed his peers in the three-day event as he remained on course to securing a slot in Paris 2024.

Running from 1 to 4 March 2023, the Doha leg of the World Cup series also saw the outpouring of support from Filipinos who swarmed the venue to witness the Olympian’s gymnastic prowess. Yulo’s achievements have catapulted him to international fame, and have given occasion to the further development of the grassroots program for gymnastics in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the Philippine men’s national football team, the Azkals, paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Pono at the Philippine Embassy in Doha on 27 March 2023.

Led by team captain Neil Etheridge, the Azkals were in Qatar for a friendly against Jordan at the Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium.

Representing the Philippines in international football meets, the Azkals have been largely instrumental in increasing the profile of football in a country where basketball is the dominant sport.

Held annually on the 6th of April, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace seeks to shore up support for sports and the role it plays in addressing social issues, including gender parity, opportunities for differently abled individuals, and the promotion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This year’s edition carried the theme “Scoring for People and the Planet.” 

For more information, visit dohape.dfa.gov.ph, facebook.co/PHinQatar, or instagram.com/phinqatar.

DOHA 25 March 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Qatar organized a virtual commemorative switch-off event in observance of Earth Hour on 25 March 2023.

The event saw embassy personnel, as well as officials from the Migrant Workers Office and members of the Filipino community in Doha, simultaneously switch off non-essential lights and appliances in their homes from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. as a display of solidarity with the global call for urgent and sweeping reforms in climate-related policies and the institutionalization of climate justice, especially for vulnerable populations.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Lillibeth V. Pono called on the general public’s renewal of their commitment to the planet. 

“Beyond the gesture of turning off our lights, let us have the will to put into concrete action our pledge to help build a greener, cleaner, and safer environment,” she said.

The event also featured the short video, “Wild Wonders: Celebrating the Beauty of Philippine Protected Areas.” Produced by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the video puts a spotlight on legally designated Protected Areas renowned for their rich biodiversity. 

For more information, visit dohape.dfa.gov.ph, facebook.com/PHinQatar or instagram.com/phinqatar.