Doha: In support of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the Filipino community in Qatar has recently held a Philippine Cultural Night at the Bait Al Sulaiti Music Affairs Center hosted by the Ministry of Culture as organized by Kulinarya Qatar and supported by the Philippine Embassy in Doha.
Third Secretary and Vice Consul of the Philippine Embassy in Doha, Monica Remsy Calangian delivered an message to welcome the guests, together with Cultural Attache Camille Manlapaz.
The audience was enthralled with the performance of various Kundiman songs by Maestro Dexter De Lara Tumang. In promoting Filipino choral music in Qatar, Maharlikan Vocal Ensemble Philippines sung “Ilay Gandangan” (song for the sun), a Filipino Maguindanao Folk Song about the people praying for the sun to touch down their land among other songs. Modern harana songs using the violin were also performed by RJ Andi of Qabayan Radio, as well as special song numbers by Munting Prinsesa 2017, Unica De Vera and Brian Joseph Sales.
Several Philippine cultural dances were also performed such as Maskara dance and PATTONG, a wedding and a courtship dance, by BIMAK Qatar Chapter - OTTK Cultural Dancers. Meanwhile, the 'Munting Principe and Prinsesa' best in talent Jasnieah Zenarosa and Shaughn Kristoff Reyes each performed a solo dance.
The highlight of the program was the 'Sagala' or cultural dress parade by the 'Munting Prinsipe and Prinsesa 2022' participants organized by Ric and JeanTrix Vera followed by the Celso Collado 'Dahil Filipiniana Couture Fashion Show' managed by Jenny Pascual of JennyRtistic and team. Filipiniana and cultural dress, arts and crafts were also displayed at exhibition area by Alyaqout Flower.
On the spotlight of its arts section were talented Filipino artists led by B.E.S.T. Club; scribble artist and award-winning street photographer, Arsenio Nidoy Jr. fondly called "Artsenic". Also, with him were JiArt, AlbertD and other talented artists
Healthy Filipino food preparation and cooking was demonstrated by Salad Master and Filipino food exhibit, displays by Filipino Hot Pack and DEQADA Restaurant.
Kulinarya chair Dahlia Suratos Agbanlog has expressed the group’s sincerest gratitude to the Ministry of Culture and Arts Director, Maryam Yassin Al Hammadi, Cultural Consultant Jamal Fayez and Coordinator, s. Nezha Slaoui for the opportunity to promote Philippine Cultural diversity through arts, dance, music, dress and food.
Kulinarya Qatar dream team members Layla Bernal, Belle Castro Modin, Joseph Tintin Rivera and John Del Rosario jointly hosted the event and thanked the support from the various Filipino community leaders and groups who attended.
