ABU DHABI – The outgoing Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, Libran N. Cabactulan, was given a warm farewell on Thursday by the Filipino Community and the St. Joseph Church.

He will depart from the UAE this week to take up his new assignment as president of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Preparatory Committee.

Philippine Ambassador Libran Nuevas Cabactulan receiving a gift from leaders of Filipino community in UAE]At a farewell party, he told the gathering that his new assignment will take him to countries that are members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Cabactulan, who finished his six-year tenure in UAE, was endorsed by the Philippine Government in July 2008 to be president of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Preparatory Committee. By April this year, the 118 member-countries of NAM endorsed his candidature and in May the 198 countries involved in the treaty elected him president during their third preparatory conference in New York. Popularly known as the father of the Filipino Expatriates Inc, a foundation he helped set up to assist the Filipinos in need of financial, medical and legal support in UAE, Cabactulan urged all Filipinos to do their best to get the FilEx going, calling it as “his legimitate son that should bear fruit for everyone.”

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The success of The 2nd FILEXPO 2009 in Dubai: Tiangge, Bazaar, ATBP. lies in every individual who had set foot in the Hall 3 of the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center. What with the global economic climate at the peak of its catastrophic presence, nearly 70 companies and approximately 24,000 attendees became part of the year’s largest gathering of Filipinos in the Middle East. Nearly 7,000 of which came on the first day, more than 10,000 on the second day and another 7,000 spectators or more joined the Philippine shopping fiesta last July 2 to 4, 2009.
It is but notable to say the least that Filipinos, especially in the UAE, are vigilant to where they put their hard-earned money. With the scorching summer coupled with sandstorms in the way, a weekend at home may be more preferable. But thousands came ready to spend cash fresh from their payday few days before. And companies were all set to cater to their customers, offering their money’s worth. It is also noticeable that the FILEXPO did not just attract Filipinos. Several groups from other nationalities including UAE nationals came in without Filipino companions, peering in Filipino products, various garments and accessories. It was this year’s challenge not to disappoint shoppers by offering them wider range of clothing apparels and food products. And on-goers got what they came for as they carried at least one shopping bag in hand.
The exhibitors were comprised of repeat participants, new ones and Filipino entrepreneurs. Just as last year, most Philippine real estate groups garnered positive turnouts in their Middle Eastern clientele. New participants based in the United Arab Emirates were more than pleased to promote their brands and spread awareness of their presence in the region. The sponsors and organizers gave away several prizes as part of the daily raffle draws. As highlighted during the Opening Ceremony, Filipino entrepreneurs are given venue to showcase their products and services in the said event. “This event will help us endorse Philippine-made products. It will also be a good opportunity to our fellow Filipinos who are interested to earn extra money during these hard times as we offer commission-based selling of our products,” says Ester Paras-Capili, Owner/Partner of Natasha Service Center. Another Filipino entrepreneur Frankie Warren, Owner of Nanay Tuneng food and beverage products, shares: “The target market of Nanay Tuneng are OFWs in the Middle East. My study on the market shows that TFC is the only medium wherein I can reach such a broad target.”
ABS-CBN booths offering a variety of services were also present during the affair. New products of The Filipino Channel such as the TFC Mobile’s K-Text and TFCKo or TFC on Demand were launched and demonstrated at the venue. All these were made available for the further entertainment and convenience of TFC viewers. DJ China Heart of WRR 101.9 made the three-day event lively with his signature voice and dynamic hosting. Evening shows drew the crowd to more laid-back evenings. The classy standards singer Richard Poon gained new fans as he sang big band renditions of all-time favorites. Pinoy Dream Academy’s Laarni Lozada and Bugoy Drilon evolved to professional showstoppers with their classic ballads and duets. Bugoy was at owe with the heroism of the Filipinos braving the Middle East that he wasn’t able to hold his tears as he sang his “life’s theme song” One Last Cry. Comedian Onse brought the house down with his unique comic stints on the second evening as well. The Bossa Nova princess Sitti Navarro took the audience under her spell during the final evening for the FILEXPO. Her high energy and crystal voice made a balance between her soothing sounds and rhythmic moves.
The 2nd FILEXPO in Dubai has prompted a tradition of empowering Philippine companies, as well as the overseas Filipinos—giving them the access to the market and the freedom to choose. And with all things considered, most especially the crisis, another feat has been conquered by the Filipino nation yet again…

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