Photo credit: Philippine Embassy in Qatar Facebook page
Doha: The Filipino community in Qatar has successfully concluded its first major public event since the pandemic. The Philippine Food, Culture & Trade Festival Qatar (PFCTFQ) was held on October 20 to 21 with a large turnout.
In collaboration with the Philippine Embassy in Qatar, the festival was organised by Kulinarya Qatar, the Filipino movement in promoting Philippine Culture through cuisine and supported by the Filipino community led by the Association of Filipino Realtors & Entrepreneur Executives in Qatar (AFREEQ).
Inaugurating the event were Philippine Embassy to State of Qatar, H E Chargé d’affaires Cassandra B Sawadjaan; Philippine Cultural Attache, Jill Del Rosario-Gardose; Megaworld International Qatar Managing Director, Hassan Al Hakeem; Kate Real Estate CEO & SMDC Partner in Qatar, Mohammed Al Najjar; Kulinarya Qatar Chairperson & PFCTFQ Organising Committee Chairperson, Dahlia Agbanlog and a host of other dignitaries.
More than 2,000 visitors were treated to a host of cultural presentations, talent competitions and modern song, dance and live band renditions. Around 230 authentic Filipino food delicacies were prepared and served by 16 leading Filipino restaurants in Doha while more than 24 establishments from both Qatar and the Philippines have exhibited their services and products during the two-day festival.
PFCTFQ Trade Fair Manager Annabelle Modin was happy to share the success beyond satisfaction of the revenue generated by all the vendors and booth participants.
The much acclaimed cultural fashion parade known as the “Sagala” or “Santacruzan” has hit record breaking numbers with more than 280 participants who modelled the finest in traditional and contemporary Filipiniana gowns and barongs (Filipino formal shirt).
Competition highlights were the crowning of Filipino young talents Josh Andrei De Leon and Keira Rodhin Soliman as Munting Principe and Munting Princessa 2022 (Little Prince & Princess), managed by JT De Vera, the DJ’K Trio from Pinoy Heart Radio winning the TikTok challenge while local dance group, the 9PM BOIS won as champions of the Hiphop Dance battle organised and managed by Marvin Abaredes of Music Lounge. The best food outlet display was won by The Cottage Restaurant.
Spectacular entertainment was rendered by performers from the Philippine School Doha, the Philippine International School in Qatar, the musical theatre group, Tanghalang Overseas Pilipino (TOPi), various local singers and several Filipino bands in Doha. “This is definitely a momentous event having various talents from our community performing on stage again after a long hiatus,” said Layla Bernal, PFCTFQ vice chairperson.
Free round trip air tickets to the Philippines from Philippine Airlines, luxury hotel staycation vouchers from both Megaworld International and SMDC, special cookware gifts from Salad master, discount vouchers and gift cards were given away as raffle prizes to lucky visitors.
PFCTFQ Chairperson Dahlia Agbanlog thanked all participants and volunteers who contributed to the success of the event which took the organizing committee around two months to prepare.
The event’s Programme Director and Operation head, AFREEQ Chairman, Joseph Timothy Rivera underscored the success of the event’s health and safety procedures as he expressed gratitude to the members of the Guardians League Qatar for providing the event marshals, the medical team of Al Naseem Healthcare who provided onsite first aide and complementary health checks and Traveller Trad Transport for the shuttle services for PFCTFQ’s volunteers and performers.
