PBC-DNE's TRIBE supports Filipino artists as TeryMari Gallery debuts in Dubai
Founded by Maria Teresa Santos, TeryMari Gallery began as an online platform dedicated to showcasing emerging and established Filipino artists. In collaboration with TRIBE, the gallery is now launching its premiere artist collection through a cultural exhibition titled 'TWO SUNS RISE,' running from July 13 to 31, 2025, at MAVON Gallery, Sheikh Zayed Road.
The exhibition features eight Filipino visual artists in dialogue with Emirati artist Khalid Salem, highlighting shared stories of identity, cultural migration, and creative expression. The works span multiple styles, from surrealism to abstract cubism, offering a layered exploration of the modern Filipino experience in conversation with Arab perspectives.
'This marks a major step forward for TeryMari Gallery, not only as a platform but as a movement,' said Santos, who is also a member of TRIBE. 'We're proud to bring these voices to a broader audience through collaboration and cultural exchange.'
A soft opening is scheduled on July 12, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, featuring a guided tour of the exhibit, live Baybayin and Arabic calligraphy, and a DJ-percussionist performance that fuses traditional Filipino and Arab beats.
The event is open to the public from July 13–31, with free admission. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Friday to Saturday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
As part of its advocacy, TRIBE continues to empower Filipino creatives across the UAE by supporting platforms like TeryMari Gallery that bridge cultures and build community.
TRIBE operates under PBC-DNE, a Filipino-led organization recognized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce that fosters cultural and business partnerships between the UAE and the Philippines.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
4 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Move over, pistachio kunafa: ‘Abu Dhabi Chocolate' is coming soon, says chef behind viral flavour
8 July 2025 00:14 KIRSTIN BERNABE (ABU DHABI)It's been a long time coming: Abu Dhabi is finally getting its own chocolate — one moulded in its own story, one that 'truly reflects its soul'. That's the promise of Nouel Catis, the chef who developed the recipe of the viral pistachio kunafa an interview with Aletihad, Catis confirmed that 'Abu Dhabi Chocolate' will be launched in two months. While he kept the flavour profile a secret, the chef described the upcoming release as a product 'that the city truly deserves'.Having lived in Abu Dhabi for seven years, Catis holds the capital close to his heart. The Filipino expat served as an inflight chef for the UAE's flagship carrier Etihad Airways for half a decade, before launching his own culinary consulting company in 2018.'I'm drawing from those memories to craft a chocolate that truly reflects the soul of Abu Dhabi and puts it on the global chocolate map,' he told Aletihad. Distinctly Local Flavours Looking back on the collaborative brainstorming session that led to the creation of 'Dubai Chocolate', it was Catis who selected what he believed was 'the right combination of ingredients to evoke a sense of nostalgia'.'If anything, I was the chef who created the original formulation — one that became the foundation for what would later evolve into the now-famous pistachio kunafa chocolate.'In Abu Dhabi, Catis sees a vibrant community of food lovers, especially among Emiratis. He has observed a growing interest in build-your-own desserts and a love for matcha, the popular Japanese green tea powder now used to flavour all things aside from the usual the hype, however, Catis believes Abu Dhabi has many distinctly local flavours that could play a key role in upcoming food trends.'Aseeda remains a cherished dessert, along with traditional Emirati flavours like saffron, cardamom, and other warm spices,' he said. 'I believe these ingredients will continue to evolve, being reimagined and paired with more contemporary flavour profiles to keep them exciting and relevant for the next generation of food lovers.' Pistachio Kunafa Wasn't the First Catis has been living in the UAE since 2009, following a previous post in Jordan. What many may not know is that pistachio kunafa wasn't the first viral Middle Eastern dessert that he had conceptualised. He was also behind the popular 'Baby Dynamite', for which he delivered a TEDx Talk in now has two brands under his name: SNA'AP Chocolate, known for its enhanced version of 'Dubai Chocolate', and The Sweet Life, the region's first build-your-own dessert concept. Abu Dhabi Chocolate will be launched under SNA'AP. 'Abu Dhabi is ready for its own culinary story to be told through chocolate,' he said — and soon, that story will be unwrapped.
Al Etihad
4 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Liwa Date Festival 2025 branches out with new competitions, innovations and activations
8 July 2025 00:26 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The upcoming Liwa Date Festival is set to introduce new initiatives that will deepen the festival's environmental and cultural significance. In an interview with Aletihad, Zayed Sari Al Mazrouei, Head of the Events Department at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and a member of the organising committee, highlighted an innovation that will repurpose discarded parts of date palm trees.'This year's edition introduces a creative initiative that encourages the reuse of palm tree parts (palm trunk) to craft artworks that reflect sustainability values, merging both environmental awareness and artistic expression,' Al Mazrouei year, the festival will feature 24 heritage and agricultural competitions, divided into categories such as dates, fruits and model farms, with prizes exceeding Dh8.7 million on will also be daily cultural events and a market to support date 21st Liwa Date Festival will be held from July 14 to 27 in Liwa City, Al Dhafra Region, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the festival takes place during the UAE's date harvest season, celebrating the palm tree as a symbol of national identity while promoting sustainable farming, food security, as well as Abu Dhabi's push to modernise Mazrouei previewed some other highlights of the upcoming new addition is the 'Zamli' (a distinct variety of date) to the date auction competition rounds, which aim to broaden farmer participation by diversifying date varieties.'Fifteen prizes worth Dh397,000 have been allocated for this round,' Al Mazrouei the community aspect of the event, Al Mazrouei highlighted the festival's broader role in preserving Emirati heritage.'The most important programmes include a variety of heritage events, activities and exhibits that tell visitors stories from Emirati heritage through shops rich in handicrafts and traditional crafts,' he said.'There are also theatre performances, heritage competitions, workshops and performing arts panels designed to instil heritage knowledge in all segments of the community.'Touching on the festival's contribution to Abu Dhabi's sustainable agricultural goals, Al Mazrouei explained: 'The Liwa Date Festival embodies the UAE's and Abu Dhabi's interest in sustainable palm cultivation. This is in line with the vision of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He was the founder of the comprehensive agricultural renaissance that transformed the UAE into a green oasis, where the palm tree was a symbol of giving.' Indeed, this vision continues today, with the palm tree at the heart of national identity and food security efforts. 'The festival is also an important platform for supporting farmers to improve the quality of their production,' he brings together stakeholders from across palm-related industries, offering a space to exchange expertise and best and private agricultural entities use the festival to connect and promote sustainable farming women and the youth is another key goal of the event.'It includes women's craft workshops that introduce traditional palm-based industries, on-stage competitions, and a popular market that allows productive families to engage economically,' he festival will have dedicated spaces for children and school groups, where kids will be engaged through activities such as colouring heritage items and participating in interactive games designed to instil cultural knowledge.'The festival opens its doors daily to visitors of all ages and backgrounds from 4pm to 10pm,' Al Mazrouei new aspect of the festival is a competition in which palm tree remnants are transformed into creative artworks, blending sustainability goals with artistic innovation.'It revolves around recycling the palm trunk to produce artworks that achieves sustainable value,' said Al Mazrouei.'This is linked to the societal view of the palm tree, which sees value in all its parts.'Modern tools have helped the festival evolve and engage visitors.'The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority has always been keen to keep pace with modern developments that improve the visitor experience,' Al Mazrouei noted.'The festival app connects participants, farmers and visitors to the festival's events and news, and helps streamline registration. We've also released a detailed brochure to guide all attendees.'Despite its growth, the festival remains firmly rooted in its cultural heritage. 'The festival embodies the Emirati nature that looks to the future while preserving its essence and identity,' added Al Mazrouei.
Gulf Today
8 hours ago
- Gulf Today
UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka celebrates record 2 million visitors
Staff Reporter, Gulf Today The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, on Monday celebrated a major milestone as it welcomed its two millionth visitor, affirming its status as a destination of inspiration, dialogue and cross-cultural exchange. The milestone was marked with a special celebration inspired by Japan's beloved Tanabata Festival, reinforcing the Pavilion's ethos of shared experiences and collective hope for the future. As part of the celebration, visitors were invited to write their wishes for a better future on custom-designed Tanzaku cards and hang them on the Pavilion's outdoor signage. Tanabata is a traditional Japanese festival that has been cherished for generations. Rooted in themes of love, hope and dreams, it invites people to write their wishes on colourful Tanzaku strips and hang them on bamboo branches, with the belief that their hopes will be carried to the sky. The celebrations, which drew thousands of participants, featured palm leaves in place of bamboo, echoing the UAE Pavilion's symbolic date palm. Wishes were hung upon them, transforming the Pavilion's forecourt into a vibrant visual symbol of dreams and aspirations. Designed under the theme 'Earth to Ether,' the UAE Pavilion offers a multi-sensory experience across five thematic zones that reflect the UAE's story of heritage, ambition, and innovation. Visitors have consistently praised its immersive storytelling, architecture, and warm hospitality, all of which underscore the UAE's commitment to forging meaningful international partnerships and creating inclusive platforms for dialogue. Shihab Alfaheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, said: 'We are deeply honoured to have welcomed two million visitors to the UAE Pavilion. This reflects the world's interest, trust, and connection with the UAE's journey. By celebrating this milestone during Tanabata, we not only honoured a cherished Japanese tradition but also embraced the spirit of cultural exchange that defines Expo 2025. Our Pavilion continues to be a living space of ideas, creativity and shared values.' Since its opening in April, the UAE Pavilion has hosted a variety of impactful events, cultural showcases, and thematic activations. These have included expert talks, cultural performances, creative workshops, Emirati cuisine demonstrations, and exhibitions by Emirati artists alongside collaborative dialogues, each carefully curated to engage diverse audiences and provide meaningful insights into the UAE's culture, values, and spirit of collaboration. Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, runs until October 13, 2025. The UAE Pavilion remains open to all visitors throughout the Expo, offering a powerful, human-centred perspective on how nations can come together to shape a better tomorrow. The UAE Expo Office serves as a national platform to convene people, ideas, and innovations in service of global progress. Incubated by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation and operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office leads the UAE's strategic participation at international expositions — most recently Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The UAE Expo Office was created with a clear purpose: to bring together people and innovations to address challenges facing humanity. Guided by the values of optimism, openness, ambition, and resilience, the Office delivers magnetic and meaningful experiences that inspire action and foster collaboration across cultures, sectors, and generations. Through curated programming and strategic partnerships, the UAE Expo Office designs environments that accelerate progress — connecting global audiences and catalysing solutions in education, healthcare, sustainable technologies, and space exploration. In doing so, it contributes mindfully to the overarching goals of each Expo, while generating distinctive value for the UAE through content, ideas, and initiatives that may not otherwise have emerged. At Expo 2025 Osaka, the UAE Expo Office aims to bring joy, curiosity, and collaboration to every visitor encounter. Its work is anchored in the UAE's vision for inclusive global development, and its programming will empower new thinking, shared purpose, and collective progress—from the Earth to the Ether. The UAE Pavilion, Earth to Ether, is an immersive multisensory journey through the UAE story, from our values and cultural heritage to our pioneering innovations. Our Japanese and Emirati Youth Ambassadors will welcome you to learn about our Explorers of Space, Catalysts of Healthcare, and Stewards of Sustainability, who are drawing on heritage and cutting-edge technology to tackle global challenges. Join us in accelerating collective progress towards a flourishing future for all life, from Earth to Ether. Taking design inspiration from our cherished date palm tree, we reimagined areesh, traditional vernacular architecture of the UAE. Fusing agricultural date palm waste with Japanese woodworking expertise, the pavilion bonds our two cultures in the spirit of collaboration. From our first pavilion in Expo Osaka '70, to our nation's hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai, we have an enduring legacy of gathering with the world to accelerate collective progress. As we return to Osaka, discover how tradition drives progress as we push the boundaries of what is possible–drawing on our heritage to create a lasting legacy of impact. Visitors can also experience an authentic Emirati culinary experience at our restaurant, peruse a curated selection of products by UAE-based creatives at our shop, and enjoy a dynamic range of programs activated in our workshop space. The UAE Pavilion, Earth to Ether, is located in the Empowering Lives zone, near the Japanese Pavilion and Shining Hat exhibition hall. We are welcoming guests daily between 09:00 and 21:00, April 13 to October 13, during Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
