9 May – The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Dubai headed by Consul General Benito B. Valeriano honored two (2) of its personnel for loyalty in service in a simple ceremony held at the PCG today.

Rosendo Pedraza, Property Officer, and Cecilia Caparas, Cultural Officer, were feted for 20 and 10 years continuous service, respectively.

Consul General Valeriano expressed his thanks to both PCG officers for their unwavering dedication to the service as he put the silver and bronze loyalty pins on the collars of Pedraza and Caparas.

Mr. Pedraza was previously assigned in Kuwait and Tripoli while Ms. Caparas was also assigned in Tripoli before their current assignments.

8 May – The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Dubai reached the 4,500^th mark of Overseas Absentee Voting Registrants today as it continues to register as many Filipino expatriates for the 2013 election.

To the surprise of those registering, the 4,500^th– 4504^th were each treated with special sunglasses marked with the new tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” courtesy of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Since 21 March when the Consulate General marked its 2000^th registrant, the number of OAV registration has more than doubled in the span of one and a half (1.5) month as the PCG inches closer to its initial target of 12,000. However, with the encouraging numbers of daily registrants, the Consulate General is confident that it may be able to pass this figure.

Vice Consul Suliguin plans more surprises to encourage Filipino nationals in Dubai and N. Emirates to register.

3 May – The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Dubai opened an exhibit in spirit of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) new campaign slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”. Cong. Florencio T. Miraflores, Chairman, Committee on Tourism, Cong. Alfredo A. Garbin, Vice Chairperson, Cong. Francisco T. Matugas, Committee Member, DOT Assistant Secretary Benito C. Bengzon Jr., and Consul General Benito B. Valeriano, led the ceremonial ribbon cutting as the lobby of the Consulate General was made open to the viewing public.

In the spirit of “More Fun”, while the guests entered the gallery, selected students from The Philippine School (TPS) performed a Latin dance number quickly followed by their rendition of “Pandango sa Ilaw” to the surprise and delight of the viewers. Michael Cinco, a Filipino renowned haute couturier based in Dubai, also lent two (2) pieces from his collection which further enhanced the color and depth of the exhibit.

The exhibit runs 4-10 May 2012 and is sponsored by Moneygram and Al Rostamani and shall adorn the walls of the Consulate General afterwards. The said exhibit is under the supervision of Vice Consul Suliguin.

1 May – Consul General Benito B. Valeriano and OIC Labor Attache Venus N. Abad headed the officers and staff of the Consulate General and POLO-OWWA to a flag raising ceremony to mark the celebration of Labor Day.

After the raising of the flag, LabAtt Abad read the message of DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz which was followed by Welfare Officer Kunting reading the message of OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon . Vice Consul Suliguin read the message of President Benigno S. Aquino III to cap the morning activity.

The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Dubai and the N. Emirates observed 1 May as non-working holiday pursuant to Proclamation No. 295, s. 2011.

The Philippine Stand provides up-to-date and relevant information about the different tourism offerings of the country and disseminates multi-lingual collaterals to interested individuals, families, honeymooners and adventure travelers who are seeking fun holidays for the coming summer season.

“We have witnessed a growing interest for Philippines as a tourist destination from this region. More than a business destination, Philippines offers a wide selection of mesmerizing beaches, value-for-money shopping and thrilling nature adventure,” said Al Rais Holidays Deputy Managing Director, Mohamed Al Rais. Al Rais Holidays, leading travel agency in UAE, and Emirates Holidays have jointly come up with special and attractive Philippine packages for the visitors of the event, highlighting the key destinations Manila, Cebu, and Boracay.

The Philippine tourism industry continues to experience a steady increase in the visitor arrivals beginning this year. Visitor arrivals reached a record-breaking high of 411, 064 international tourists in January 2012 with the introduction of the new tourism branding campaign, “It’s more fun in the Philippines”.

“Our partnership with Al Rais Holidays and participation at the Show will definitely enhance the country’s exposure and visibility among the locals and expatriates in the UAE. This will be instrumental in driving more tourists from the Middle East to this archipelago of 7, 107 fun islands,” Mr. Mohamad Masri, Director of Philippine Tourism – Middle East Representative Office stated.

The show runs April 19 to 21, 2012. City 7TV- 7 National News- Feature Report- 23 April 2012- ATM 2012 Preview

The services availed of are as follows: 158 passport applications, 31 passport extensions, 14 passport releases, 35 notary applications, 11 notary releases, 2 Assistance to Nationals (ATN), 2 visa applications, 114 overseas absentee voting (OAV). Aside from those who availed of the appointment system, 60 walk-in applicants were also served.

FilCom President Alan Bacason and Vice President Matilyn Bagunu headed the Governing Council as well as the different groups who volunteered to facilitate the Friday event. Bacason expressed his wish that the activity which was arranged through the FilCom would be sustained. Vice Consul Geronimo Suliguin, who spearheaded the event, expressed thanks to those who availed of the services provided by the PCG on a Friday as well as the staff who have been very supportive of the undertaking.

The activity was part of the Consul General Benito B. Valeriano’s efforts to make the PCG’s services more accessible and available through consular services outside its regular office days – whether conducted in Fujairah, RAK, or at the PCG premises. This also marks the second time the Consulate General opened its doors to the public this year with the previous consular service conducted last 15 March.

Volunteers from Filipino Organizations who were present were 3K, CIASI, Cordillerans, Migrante, MOFW, PSME, SMPII and Sr. Wafa.

Filipino Community Dubai and the Northern Emirates, the umbrella organization of more than 100 Filipino groups in Dubai, Sharjah, RAK, Umm al Quwain, Ajman and Fujairah, headed by its Governing Council held its 2^nd Governing Council and Council of Representatives Meeting last 13 April 2012 at Barrio Fiesta, Burjuman.

The meeting tackled the consular service to be held 20 April which is a project of FilCom. How FilCom could be of better assistance in the preparation of documents required for accreditation by the Consulate General was also part of the agenda. FilCom is concerned that of the more than 100 organizations, only around 30% are duly accredited. Finally, the committees for the 114^th Independence Day celebrations were also created.

Vice Consul Geronimo Suliguin and Cultural Officer Cecilia Caparas represented the PCG in the said meeting.

Officers and staff of the Consulate General of the Philippines in Dubai and N. Emirates and POLO-OWWA attended the Filipino Digerati Association’s 13^th Commencement Exercises held 13^th April 2012 at the Sheraton Deira, Dubai.

Vice Consul Geronimo Suliguin and Welfare Officer Raquel Kunting featured in the FDA Talks where the common and not so common concerns were raised by the audience on matters regarding their passports and other documents, contracts, visas, and various services of the Consulate General and POLO-OWWA.

The almost 500 Filipino nationals in attendance were delighted to hear the different services and the service deliveries available especially the website and social media . They were also encouraged to register in the OAV as well as participate in the different FilCom activities.

The Filipino Digerati Association is one of the many Filipino organizations accredited to the PCG. ATN Officer Veronique Evangelista and Welfare Officer Allan Ignacio also attended the event.

5 April 2012 – The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Dubai and Northern Emirates said goodbye to Labor Attache Amilbahar Amilhasan in a simple ceremony at the POLO-OWWA premises. No less than Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa, Consul General Benito B. Valeriano, officers and staff of the Embassy and Consulate General, officers and members of the Filipino Community, heads and representatives of different labor agencies were in attendance.

Consul General Valeriano commended the exemplary performance duties and responsibilities of the labor Attache. “His patience, positive work ethic, and willingness to perform various tasks beyond normal working hours have been of great service to our nationals.”

LabAtt Amilasan, who is relinquishing his post as he reach the mandatory retirement age of 65, took the helm of POLO-OWWA last 2010.

Ms. Venus Abad, Assistant Labor Attache, took over as Officer in Charge.