By Joey Aguilar
Hundreds of Filipino expatriates are expected to join the fun and excitement at the pre-Independence Day celebration at the Philippine International School-Qatar (PISQ) from 8am to 10pm today.
Culture attaché Richard Billedo told Gulf Times that the all-day event will include a singing competition, an art contest, magic show and fun zone for kids, trade fair, food festival and a mini car show.
Some 29 local bands and a number of singers will also entertain the crowd during their elimination round. Finalists will automatically perform on June 13 during the second day of the actual celebration.
“Besides the band and singing competitions, we will also unveil the new logo for this year’s independence day celebration,” said Billedo.
Organisers have also set a two-day programme for cultural and other performances in Hyatt Plaza on June 5 and 6. The activities are part of tourism promotion in the country using its slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” Ambassador Crescente Relacion is also expected to attend these events.
The Philippine embassy has announced that it will conduct an onsite overseas voters’ registration for overseas Filipino workers from10am to 4pm today. The registration is part of the Philippine government’s efforts to reach more prospective voters for the May 2016 national election.
Relacion said they will conduct as many field registrations as possible since there are many groups of Filipinos who want to register until October 31, 2015.
Besides schools and companies, embassy officials will also visit labour camps in Doha and in Al Khor to urge Filipino workers to register.
Registration booths are also set up in the embassy from Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 3:30pm and at the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30am to 12noon). Those who voted in Qatar in the last two elections do not need to register again.
On June 12, the Philippine Independence Day, the embassy will host the annual “Almusal ng Bayan” (breakfast for the community) at the chancery at 6am. It will be followed by a poster-making contest organised by the Philippine School of Doha.
Major activities of the annual celebration will be held on June 13 either at the West End Park or Al Wakrah Stadium.
