The month-long 118th Philippine Independence Day (PID) celebration in Qatar will feature an array of cultural and sports activities, festivals, and exhibitions starting on May 6, set to take place in various locations in the country.

Speaking at a press conference and launching of the event on Tuesday, the 2016 PID committee announced that the celebration this year will kick-off in Dukhan with a unique food festival.

United Filipino Organisation in Qatar (UFOQ) chairman Ed Anami said that besides showcasing popular Filipino dishes at the event, a contest on food preparation will also be held at the venue.

Some of the activities include “Now and Before Doll Exhibit for Philippine History and Fashion,” Filipino families in Qatar photo exhibition, culinary festival, “Filipino Talent,” 3X3 basketball competition, games for children, and the Philippine Cultural Show, and “Zumba Morning.”

The tourism promotion committee led by Ed Alcantara has also organised a photo contest for all Filipino expatriates in Qatar aimed at promoting the touristic destinations in the Philippine through social media.

A year-round programme, he believes such contest will entice many foreigners and Filipino expatriates around the world to spend time to visit the different places in the Philippines especially during their annual vacation.

Philippine ambassador Wilfredo Santos told Gulf Times that they always want to have a meaningful celebration for the Filipino community.

“We want to be fully participated by our countrymen in Qatar and I look forward for a very successful 118th PID celebration this year,” the envoy said as he urged Filipino expatriates to take part and “enjoy the importance of this special day in our history.”

“Unlike in previous years where we held our activities solely in Doha, we will have a different format this year, we will have a month-long celebration that will be held in different places around Qatar,” Santos added.

UFOQ vice chairman Ressie S Fos told Gulf Times that they will also provide free bus transportation to Filipino workers who are living in different labour camps.

During the main celebration on June 3, he said a group of Filipino workers who are in the construction sector will set up a ‘one-stop-shop’ and a “Help Desk” at the venue.

Fos said attendees will have the opportunity to inquire about their social security system and Home Development Mutual Fund contributions, securing overseas employment certificate, and seeking advise about labour and human rights issues.

While the actual PID is celebrated every June 12, the main celebration in Qatar will take place on June 3 at the Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, four days before the start of the Holy month of Ramadan.

Embassy officials led by Santos and leaders of Filipino organisations will hold a traditional flag-raising ceremony at the chancery in Jelaiah area on the same day followed by a community breakfast and a motorcade going to the venue.

Besides the annual parade of colours and 118 Rose Display, the celebration will also feature entertainment shows (singing and street dancing), Ministry of Interior workshop session, medical mission, car show, and food exhibition.

UFOQ also announced that a popular artiste was invited to perform at this year’s PID event in Qatar.

Mutya ng Pilipinas 2015 – Tourism Janela Joy Cuaton, who attended the PID launching on Tuesday, also urged her compatriots to take part in the annual celebration.