Philippine embassy to commemorate 45 years of diplomatic relations with Bahrain

Agencies | Manama                                   

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Philippine embassy in Manama will hold a unique "Philippine Festival" on January 26-28 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the Philippines-Bahrain diplomatic relations this year, the Chargé d' Affaires Anne Jalando-on Louis has said.

According to CDA Louis, the event happen over three days, starting with its official launching on January 26 at 5 p.m.

"The festival is the first activity we will be organizing to mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain this year," CDA Louis said.

"Even though diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Bahrain were established 45 years ago, we are aware that there had already been relationships between Filipinos and Bahrainis before this.

"Up to this moment, we have developed good bilateral ties with our Bahraini friends over a long period of time. We hope that after the pandemic crisis, both sides would continue to work to rekindle bilateral collaboration in many areas, particularly labor matters, which are obviously very important to the Philippines, as well as trade investments. These areas include education, health, culture, and the arts."

Louis added that aside from the entertainment, and performances, there will have booths set up outside the car park and selling traditional Filipino foods and other items.

"Our Bahraini friends and other expatriates can sample Filipino food and cuisine at this festival as well. We'll also have numerous booths there selling goods from the Philippines. In addition to their stalls, on January 27 we will host an art display. The 27th and 28th of January will see this take place within the mall. We will have a game, the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, on Friday, July 27, at 10:00 a.m. Partnership with the Filipino Club Basketball Group is involved in this. We have invited everybody who would be interested to attend this event, not just Filipinos," she said.

Louis added that there will also be a Zumba session, bazaar, live performances, various family activities and an art exhibit with a "Kid’s Craft Corner" in collaboration with the Filipino Creatives Bahrain.

She said that there is no entrance fee to the festival and that everyone is welcome to attend for free.

"We hope that many Filipinos, as well as our Bahraini friends and members of other communities, will take part in this unique event. We have a strong support system and a sense of 'community life' whenever Filipinos travel abroad, thus I believe it is crucial that we band together as a community. Instilling a newfound love of nation and patriotism in us, in my opinion, will serve to remind us of how rich our culture and traditions are. This is a festival, and as we all know, festivals and fiestas play an important role in Filipino culture," CDA Louis stressed.

"This festival is a manifestation of how Filipinos celebrate life, despite the challenges that come to our lives. It also shows how rich we are, in terms of our music and arts and how much we have to offer the world. As an introduction to the Philippines, for instance, particularly for some of our Bahraini friends, many of whom have not yet traveled there. Therefore, we are showing to them who we are as a nation and a people through the festivals," she said.