OFWs honored at Kalayaan 2025 in Dubai
Thousands of Filipinos from across the UAE gathered to mark the occasion, which opened with vibrant cultural displays and messages recognizing the vital role of OFWs in shaping the nation's identity and supporting its economy. Hon. Marford Angeles, Consul General of the Philippines in Dubai and the Northern Emirates
In his keynote address, Hon. Marford Angeles, Consul General of the Philippines in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, paid tribute to the over 1 million Filipinos living and working in the UAE.
He reflected on how the country's national heroes were the first to bring global attention to the Philippines, likening their efforts to today's OFWs, whom he described as modern-day heroes.
He highlighted how cumulative OFW remittances reached a record US$38.34 billion in 2024, with a 'big chunk' coming from the UAE. He also noted that the UAE posted the highest overseas voter turnout in the last elections, with nearly 39,000 Filipinos casting their votes.
'Kayo ay mga bayani dahil araw-araw, gumigising kayo upang harapin ang hamon ng buhay. Araw-araw, gumigising kayo upang mapabilib ang inyong mga boss at mga katrabaho. Araw-araw, gumigising kayo at nagtatrabaho para sa inyong pamilya,' he added.
Consul General Angeles also acknowledged the role of Filipinos in the UAE's multicultural society, calling them the 'glue' that connects over 200 nationalities.
'You represent compassion, brilliance, talent, and professionalism in the global stage,' he added. Mr. Arvic Arevalo, Deputy Head of Mission at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi
Meanwhile, Mr. Arvic Arevalo, Deputy Head of Mission at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, echoed this recognition and praised OFWs working across various sectors including healthcare, engineering, education, and entrepreneurship.
'Through your hard work, dedication, and integrity, you continue to uplift the image of the Filipinos every day. Sa paggunita natin ng Araw ng Kalayaan, let us continue to bring with us the values of our homeland: tapang, malasakit, at bayanihan,' he said in his message.
The opening day began with a parade of Filipino organizations, followed by a lively celebration featuring booths offering Filipino food, local products, and community services. Attendees were treated to a variety of performances—both traditional and contemporary.
Presented by Emirates Loves Philippines, Infinite Communities, and The Filipino Channel, Kalayaan 2025 is open to the public and continues until 8 PM today, with cultural showcases, exhibits, and entertainment.
The event serves as a reminder of the strength and unity of the Filipino community abroad, and a celebration of freedom, identity, and shared heritage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Filipino Times
7 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Frankie Pangilinan rules out entering politics
Singer and online personality Frankie Pangilinan said she has no plans to enter politics, despite being vocal about national issues in the past. In an interview with Boy Abunda, Pangilinan, daughter of Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan and actress Sharon Cuneta, clarified that political engagement does not equate to political ambition. 'I understood suddenly ganun pala ang mga tao actually. Tuwing nagiging politically involved, ibig sabihin may ambition… may interes at least, and I never was that kind of person,' she pointed out. Pangilinan said her comments on political and social issues come from genuine concern as a Filipino citizen, not from any desire to follow her parents' footsteps in public service. 'It is really just tao pong Pilipino na nais pong magbago ang mga problema sa Pilipinas and I think that's just really just it, bilang mamamayang Pilipino and hindi po bilang anak ng sino man,' she added. She also shared that she had to take a step back from social media after realizing the weight of her platform. While many young people use social media freely, she said she had to reassess her role online. 'It is more of like realizing I didn't want to be the mouthpiece of movements that I shouldn't be the mouthpiece for,' Pangilinan said. Despite stepping back, Pangilinan stressed that she will continue to speak out when necessary, though more selectively.
Filipino Times
7 hours ago
- Filipino Times
DMW orders closure of visa consulting firm over illegal recruitment
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has ordered the immediate shutdown of Visa to America Manila, Inc., a private visa consulting firm operating across the Philippines, over alleged illegal recruitment activities. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Undersecretary Bernard Olalia led the enforcement of the closure order at the company's main office in Ortigas, Pasig City. Simultaneous operations were also conducted in its seven other branches located in Quezon City, Iloilo City, Cebu City, Davao City, Zamboanga City, Santiago City in Isabela, and in Washington D.C., United States. According to the DMW, the firm was engaged in recruitment for overseas employment without the necessary license. It had reportedly deployed over 50 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the United States since 2022, offering teaching and hospitality jobs through J-1 and H-1B visa programs with salary promises ranging from $40,000 to $100,000. 'If they are matching workers with employers in the U.S., that constitutes overseas recruitment, which requires a DMW license. Without it, it is clearly a case of illegal recruitment,' Cacdac said. Visa to America Manila advertises itself as having 31 years of 'immigration expertise,' offering visa processing, consultancy, IT services, legal support, and mock interviews. However, DMW stressed that such activities cannot include recruitment without proper authorization. The agency said it will also look into the status of the OFWs who used the company's services to ensure compliance with labor and immigration laws. The US Embassy in Manila has recently implemented stricter measures in visa applications, including requiring all non-immigrant visa applicants to publicly set their social media accounts for background checks.
Filipino Times
10 hours ago
- Filipino Times
49% of Filipino families rate themselves as poor in June — SWS
Forty-nine percent of Filipino families considered themselves poor in June 2025, according to the latest survey released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS). The figure is one point lower than the 50% recorded in April and represents around 13.7 million families, down from 14.1 million. SWS said the slight nationwide decline was due to decreases in self-rated poverty in the Visayas and Balance Luzon (areas outside Metro Manila), which offset increases in Metro Manila and Mindanao. Among those who identified as poor, 34.8% said they have always been poor, 6.4% were non-poor five or more years ago, and 7.8% were non-poor one to four years ago. The survey also found that 10% of respondents considered themselves 'borderline poor,' a two-point increase from the record-low 8% in April. Meanwhile, 41% said they were not poor, slightly lower than the 42% recorded in the previous quarter. On food security, 41% of families rated themselves as food-poor, 10% as food borderline, and 49% as not food-poor. Median family spending remained steady in June: house rent at ₱3,000, transportation to work or school at ₱2,000, and internet at ₱800. Mobile phone load expenses dropped from ₱400 in April to ₱300 in June. The survey was conducted from June 25 to 29, 2025, through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents, 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
