“The lash of the global economic crisis has affected the Filipinos in the Middle East in tremendous proportions. Many of us were laid off due to recession or buried with piles of financial obligations due to the high standard of living, while some have already opted to return instead… We who were left to carry on our journey are the ones who continue reaching the dreams of every overseas Filipino,” says ABS-CBN Middle East Managing Director Edgardo Garcia early in his welcome remarks. He went on sharing the contributions ABS-CBN has offered as an answer to the needs of the Filipinos in the region.
“Amidst life’s adversities, the Filipino finds his way to pounce the opponent even harder—ala-Manny Pacquiao. This day certainly calls for a celebration. About 70 companies are participating this year; a number of them are Filipino entrepreneurs. This is a testament that Filipinos remain resilient and uncanny through life’s never-ending battles,” he adds with upbeat positivism. An Audio-Visual Presentation followed showing the incredible feat of The 1st Filipino Expo 2008 in the UAE and Qatar. ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio may not be present in the gathering but she was gracious to deliver her inspiring message to the Filipinos in the region.
The Vice President for ABS-CBN Radio and Sports Division, Peter Musngi, expressed his delight in launching the most potent radio and television combination for the Filipinos anywhere in the world—the DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and the DZMM TeleRadyo. It allows the listener the privilege to be updated through the No. 1 radio station in Mega-Manila, DZMM, while watching the No. 1 cable news channel in the Philippines.
Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates H.E. Libran Cabactulan imparted the early talks of coming up with a Filipino exposition with ABS-CBN Middle East bosses. He exuded great pride as he stood before the audience, delivering his speech to the FILEXPO attendees the second time around. “I do hope that this becomes a tradition for the Filipinos in the Middle East,” he encouraged the organizers.
Capping the ceremony was ABS-CBN Global Sales & Distribution Head Jay Diaz. Apart from warmly welcoming the guests, he formally announced the launch of new TFC products: TFC Mobile’s K-Text and TFCKo or TFC on Demand. Fans now have the advantage of getting ahead when it comes to their idols’ status and updates courtesy of K-Text. TFC viewers on the go may have the power right at their finger tips as TFC Mobile will be with them wherever they may be. And TFC subscribers who constantly miss their favorite shows need not fret any longer as they now have the chance to view them at their own convenience. This is only made possible by TFCKo!
As Mr. Garcia puts it, “It IS not easy to sum up the 15 years of jubilation in just 3 days.” It is likewise a challenge to top the previous successes of the first two FILEXPOs due to the global financial turmoil. Yet, the Filipinos have done it again—uniting to prove that their spirit will not be easily swayed by crisis and pelf.
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