Pinoy contingent dazzles in the prestigious Sheikh Zayed Festival

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – With a spectacular showcase of Philippine culture and traditions, the Filipino community once again captivated the hearts of hundreds of local and foreign spectators at the prestigious Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi.

The Philippine contingent wore colorful, authentic Filipino attire, representing a wide range of regional costumes that reflect the country’s diversity as an archipelago.

Participating for the first time in the Asian Festival, the Filipino delegation was led by Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, and the Bayanihan Council, an umbrella organization of 60 different Filipino groups based in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Ambassador Ver, in his brief speech during the Grand Parade held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, commended the Filipinos for their presence & overwhelming support to the event.

He said that the Filipino participation in the Asian Festival was an opportunity to showcase our culture and heritage in a global audience.

Ambassador Ver also handed a token of appreciation to the organizers of the event thanking them for the opportunity to participate and showcase the Filipino rich culture and heritage.

“We thanked everyone, the Bayanihan Council & the organizers of Sheikh Zayed Festival... Ipinakita nila ang Pilipino ay buhay na buhay at kasama sa pagsulong sa bayang eto (They showed that the Filipinos are alive and one with the developments in this town),” he said.

The Sheikh Zayed Festival, named in honor of the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is a cultural event that brings together the best of traditional and modern performances from various nations.

Each year, it provides a platform for countries to share their history, music, dance, and artistry, fostering greater understanding and appreciation among global audiences.

It is a famous cultural event that drew large crowds every year. This year, Sheikh Zayed Festival set several Guinness World Records including the largest fireworks display in the world which last for forty-six continuous minutes.

Gay Marie Jumuad, events and program director of Bayanihan Council, told GMA Integrated News that the organizers of the Sheikh Zayed Festival invited them in November last year to participate in the Asian Festival.

Jumuad said the organizers want to showcase the Filipino culture and heritage through our performances which aligns with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President’s declaration for 2025 as the Year of Community.

“The organizers approached us in the last week of November, but we were able to finalize it at the end of December last year. It is our first time to join, and it is timely because the UAE President has declared this year as the Year of Community. It is our way of promoting & supporting this noble initiative. We started our event on January 20, 2025, where we held various performances and it will end on February 6, 2025,” Jumuad said.

Celebrating the Filipino culture under the theme, Fiesta Filipinas: Celebrating Culture, Tradition and Art, Jumuad said that they have invited 14 performers from different Filipino organizations affiliated with the Bayanihan Council organization.

She said about 2,000 have already participated in the event since it started in January 20 and performances like the Sinulog & Subli were among the favorites.

Emma Wenceslao Sentones, President of the Global Filipino Community and Associates, told GMA Integrated News that their group is proud in participating in this event.

Sentones said they performed the Bulaklakan dance that celebrates the beauty of Filipino culture, symbolizing joy, unity and the blossoming of flowers.

The group, founded in 2023, are all women members and they were carrying an arch covered with garland of flowers made of crepe papers. She said they want to embody the essence of “Dalagang Filipina – poised, elegant, and true representation of timeless Filipino grace and charm,” she said.

“Our group has been supporting all the activities of Bayanihan Council, and we are proud to showcase our culture and heritage through the Bulaklakan dance. We are a women’s group, and we empower each other, we want to show the world the essence of Filipino women,” she added.

Maybelyn Vinoya, a teacher from SRK Education Group International, a Filipino school based in Abu Dhabi, told GMA Integrated News in a separate interview that she felt proud of being part of the event.

Vinoya, who danced in the event along with her co-teachers, said that their tribal dance reflected the Filipino culture with a modern twist creating a vibrant fusion celebrating the country’s rich heritage through contemporary sounds.

“Kinabahan po ko because it was my first time to dance again po in a crowd, but it was something I will do for the country and it is a very proud feeling to be performing for the Philippines,” Vinoya said.

The grand parade was a stunning visual spectacle, as participants—dressed in their finest regional costumes — bring the streets of the Sheikh Zayed Festival alive with movement, music, and pride, showcasing Filipino craftsmanship and highlighting the country's diverse history and the unity of its people.

Irish Mejos, a civil engineer based in the capital, said that she and her husband enjoyed the Filipino performances as they were not only captivating, but they are reflecting the rich Filipino heritage.

“It was really a spectacular display of artistry & craftmanship as our Kabayans perform very well and their costumes along with the props and the overall performances are superb,” she said.

Mary Rose Javier, also a civil engineer, in a separate interview told GMA Integrated News the performances took the spectators on a visual journey through Philippine history, from its roots to its contemporary vibrancy.

“Through the various performances & presentations, we have been reminded of our vibrant culture and our resilience all through these years despite all odds and challenges. It makes me feel so proud to see our heritage being showcased in a global platform,” Javier said.

The participation of the Filipino community in the Sheikh Zayed Festival’s Asian Festival underlines the deep-rooted connections between the UAE and the Philippines, as well as the Filipino community's ongoing contribution to the multicultural landscape of Abu Dhabi. — BAP, GMA Integrated News