By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter
A group of Filipinos including a well-known singer and stand-up comedians will entertain thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families at the Doha Marriot Beach Resort on May 10.
Sheryll V Estrella, events and marketing executive of Q Entertain ME (Middle East), told Gulf Times that they have invited Rich Asuncion, a well-known singer and actress. Stand-up comedians AJ and Petite will join her in amusing the audience with their songs and antics.
“The main objective of the event is to bring live entertainment to the communities in Doha to break the boredom and monotony of life as expatriate workers,” Estrella said.
Ambassador Crescente Relacion, embassy officials and some Filipino community leaders are expected to grace the occasion.
Before the concert, various activities for the “Summer Festival Concert and Bazaar” will be held from 9am to 8pm. It will include fun games for children, swimming, beach party, variety shows, bazaar for entrepreneurs and games for the families. The concert will start at 8pm.
In a bid to help local Filipino artists launch their career, Q Entertain ME organised a singing contest dubbed “Search for a Star”. It started a few months ago and the grand finale will also be held on the same day where five finalists vie for the title and top prize. The finalists are Alejandro Rivera, Danilo Cabaltica, Reagan Apilado, Jhayr Alejo and Mhae Aki. Two winners will be joining the main concert with the artistes.
“We want many OFWs to have a good bonding moment with their families. We also invited Filipino restaurants like Cocina Filipina which will serve native food at affordable prices,” said Estrella, who is expecting around 2,000 participants.
Admission for the festival and concert is QR50 excluding food. Ticket holders will have the chance to win prizes during the event.
Estrella is planning to make the summer festival to be an annual event in Doha and bring more artistes and popular Filipino singers. Part of promoting local tourism, the event fully supports the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign in the host country.
Estrella said Q Entertain ME wants to organise more events, festivals and concerts in the coming months. Besides artistes and celebrities from the Philippines, it will soon invite international performers.
Two Philippine government agencies, Pag-Ibig (housing) and Social Security System will set up booths at the venue to extend their services to OFWS.