The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi successfully took part in the three-day National Festival of Tolerance held from November 14 to 16, 2025, at Umm Al Emarat Park, showcasing Filipino culture, cuisine, and performing arts. Led by Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver, the Embassy mounted a Philippine Booth in partnership with Filipino-owned businesses Maria Paz and Nook. The booth became a major draw at the festival, offering popular Filipino delicacies such as sapin-sapin, kutsinta, Maria Paz’s well-known cheesecake, and Nook’s taho, which proved especially popular among attendees of all ages. The event’s opening day featured a visit from Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, who toured the Philippine Booth. Day 1 also highlighted a performance by young Filipino talent Peter Rosalita, who entertained audiences with renditions of “This Is the Moment,” “Until I Found You,” “A Million Dreams,” and “Golden Hour.” On the second day, a string ensemble composed of Lex Von Sumayo, Marianne Olga Elloso, Randrews Ryan Feraer, Nilisa Victor, Thara Astrid Mamaril, and Sean Emmanuel Tibe performed Filipino classics, including a Philippine medley of “Leron-Leron Sinta,” “Dahil Sa ’Yo,” and “Tinikling,” along with “Anak,” “Ang Pipit,” and “Minamahal Kita.” The festivities closed on November 16 with a cultural showcase by the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit at Mananayaw sa Abu Dhabi (OPMMAD), featuring traditional dances and Tagalog songs that demonstrated the richness of Filipino heritage and performing arts.
