DOHA 12 August 2024 — The sweltering summer weather on 09 August 2024 did little to dampen the enthusiasm of various Filipino groups in promoting their advocacies and the welfare of the Filipino expatriate community in Qatar.

The day kicked off with a blood donation activity organized by the Philippine Professional Organization Qatar, along with the Doha Chapter of the Knights of Rizal and Damas de Rizal, as part of the celebration of World Blood Donor Day originally held on 14 June 2024.

Attended by Her Excellency Philippine Ambassador to the State of Qatar Lillibeth V. Pono, the activity sought to collect blood from healthy donors for the benefit of patients in Qatar requiring blood transfusion.

On the same day, the Migrant Workers Office-Qatar, with the support of the Embassy, conducted an ICT training program for Filipino wards awaiting repatriation.

In her remarks, Consul General Cassandra B. Sawadjaan underscored the value of digital literacy as an integral component of successful reintegration.

Evening commenced with the graduation of over 300 Filipinos who have completed various short courses at Academia International Institute and Center.

In her keynote address, Ambassador Pono said that the graduation of OFWs and other overseas Filipinos reflects the Philippines’ “goal of transforming our overseas Filipino workers, or OFWs, into global citizens.”

“Armed with the know-how and the confidence to improve their conditions both here and in the Philippines once they return after their overseas employment, they are empowered to believe that, on their own, they can,” she said.

She added that “increasing the income-earning ability of Filipinos by enhancing their employability, widening their access to employment opportunities in the Philippines, and improving labor market governance form part of the Philippines’ mid-term national development agenda for the years 2023 to 2028.”


A gathering of Filipino civil engineers followed the Academia commencement ceremony. Organized by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers-Qatar Chapter, the Civil Engineers for a Night provided an opportunity for Ambassador Pono to articulate the challenges and opportunities in embracing digital transformation.

“The world is confronted by difficult questions on how to regulate the latest developments in technology, including artificial intelligence,” she said. “The most challenging thing, perhaps, is how to make sure that these new emerging technologies do not reduce the value of human insights and perspectives on matters affecting humans.”

The night was capped off by the culmination of the PID 2024 Independence Cup Team Tennis Tournament organized by the Filipino Tennis League-Qatar.

In her remarks, Ambassador Pono said the Embassy is pleased to see that “through various activities, such as sports, Filipinos in Qatar continue to celebrate our independence as a country and as a people.”

Held as a tribute to the 126th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence, the tournament gathered Filipino tennis enthusiasts from all over Qatar.

“To remember our independence and history is to celebrate the ties that bind us as a nation,” Ambassador Pono said. “And tonight, it is passion for freedom and sports – specifically, for tennis – that binds everyone here.”

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