PCG Co-Sponsors Symposium on Values, Realities

The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in cooperation with the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department held a Symposium entitled Be A Cause: Recapturing the Cultural and Historical Values of the Past and Promoting them in the Future last 10 February 2012 at the Al Safa Gymnasium.

Dr. Omar Mohammed Al Khateeb, Assistant Director General for Islamic Affairs, opened the whole day activity. The event highlighted the importance of knowing the cultural differences between the host country and the Philippines. It aimed to shed light on the common misperceptions as well as provide explanation on something that is perceived to be different.

No less than the grand mufti Dr. Mohammed Ayada Al Khobaisi lectured on the do’s and don’ts of the host country, the laws and traditions of UAE, as well as the obligations and expectations from the Filipino workers/ expatriates. His lecture also touched on the morality that must be observed by men and women, the appropriate behavior of couples in public spaces, and good manners and right conduct in general. He also emphasized that there is nothing extraordinary in what is generally observed in the UAE and that most of these are plain common sense.

Fr. Tom Veneracion lectured in the same vein when he took the floor to elaborate on issues surrounding life away from home, the responsibilities of families left in the Philippines, and a person’s moral and spiritual responsibilities. Fr. Veneracion even provided a glimpse on how he eventually ended up as a priest to the delight of the audience.

Consul General Benito Valeriano talked on the role of the Philippine Foreign Service and the Filipino workers. Vice Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza provided the much needed information on PH-UAE economic relations while Vice Consul Geronimo Suliguin explained the services of the Post (ATN and Consular) and provided a primer on what it is to be a Foreign Service Officer.

Aside from viewing the film Jose Rizal, participants and students of The Philippine School (TPS) also held a group dynamics and workshop on how to becoe part of the advocacy as a family member, a student, member of the society, and a child of an expatriate. In the end, a covenant was signed by the youth promote and protect the image of a Filipino woman.

The event served as an eye-opener especially with the prevalent cases challenging the moral standard of many expatriates living away from their families.

Balagtasan, traditional Filipino dances, and rendition of Filipino songs delighted the audience in between lectures.

Source: Consulate General of the Philippines - Dubai