SECOND PISTANG PINOY IN RABAT ORGANIZED TO CELEBRATE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY
Rabat, 19 June 2023 - A Filipiniana-themed PISTANG PINOY 2023 organized by the Filipino Community in Morocco, in partnership with the Philippine Embassy in Rabat, took place yesterday, 18 June in the Embassy grounds. This was the second time a community-led affair took place, the first one of which was held last year.
In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador Leslie J. Baja summarized this year’s theme of Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan as these three words fittingly apply to all Filipinos in Morocco who have made the Kingdom their home away from home, in search of a better future for themselves and their contribution to the country.
Ambassador Baja delivering the welcome remarks
Flag raising at the Embassy
The event was a fun-filled day under the city’s clear, blue skies and sweltering sun as the day’s program was kickstarted by a community singing of “Lupang Hinirang”, prayers in Tagalog and Arabic, followed by games for guests of all ages, songs and folk dance performances, a photo-booth with a “bahay-kubo” backdrop and a raffle ticket sale. Two competitions on the “Pahiyas”-themed design of participating booths and a Filipiniana dress design were held, with judging criteria that included sustainability and the use of recycled and environment-friendly materials.
Members of the Filipino Community in their renditions of Katakataka (top) and Pamaypay (bottom) folk dances
The winner of the Pahiyas design booth contest
The winners of the Filipiniana dress design contest made of recyclable materials
The sale of a wide variety of Philippine products and Filipino dishes were led mostly by women entrepreneurs from Rabat, Tangier and Casablanca. A Philippine company-developer of condominium buildings, Megaworld International, also participated with its investment opportunities for Filipinos living and working in Morocco.
The Filipinos who took part in the event were appreciative of the Embassy’s efforts to continuously bring them together during Independence Day as well as during the Paskong Pinoy in December. About 4,600 Filipinos currently reside and work in Morocco, most of whom are household service workers. There are also skilled and semi-skilled workers mainly working as dental technicians, nail technicians, massage therapists and welders and other professional workers.
Filipino workers are well respected in Morocco because of their work ethic. The Philippines and Morocco are currently looking at concluding a memorandum of understanding in the fields of labor, employment and vocational training. END
(All photos by Rabat PE)
