DOHA 18 December 2024 — Members of the Filipino community, through the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the State of Qatar, took part in the Ministry of Labor’s (MOL) cultural and heritage night for expatriate communities as part of the Qatar National Day festivities at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park on 16 December 2024.
Hundreds of expatriates from over 15 participating countries joined the heritage parade before taking turns in showcasing their culture through songs, dances, and poetry in a display of diversity, cultural exchange, and peaceful coexistence.
The performance by the Filipino community was adjudged as one of the three best for the night, alongside the performances by the Sudanese and Syrian communities.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Philippine Ambassador to the State of Qatar, Her Excellency Lillibeth V. Pono, congratulated the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day.
“I thank MOL for organizing this event,” she said. “It brought to focus the rich cultural diversity and heritage of the various expatriate communities who call Qatar their second home — a very fitting tribute to mark Qatar National Day.”
Ambassador Pono also acknowledged the Filipino performers for being excellent stewards of Philippine culture and heritage before foreign publics in Qatar.
“The Philippine performance was a testament to our innate artistry and the richness of our history as told through traditional dances,” she said. “I commend our performers for pulling off a great number despite the challenging weather.”
The Filipino community was represented by the Banyuhay Dance Group, as well as students and teachers from Philippine School Doha (PSD) and Philippine International School-Qatar (PIS-Q). Their performance recalled traditional dances from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, bringing tropical flair to an otherwise chilly night in Doha.
The Embassy also hosted a Philippine booth, which served Filipino favorites lugaw (rice porridge) and deep-fried empanada to foreign visitors.
For more information, visit dohape.dfa.gov.ph, facebook.com/PHinQatar, or instagram.com/phinqatar.
