Press Release
PR-096-2015
22 July 2015

EMBASSY HOLDS “KALILANG” WITH FILIPINO MUSLIM COMMUNITY
TO CELEBRATE EID’L FITR

(Riyadh, 22 July 2015) – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh recently held a feast titled, “Eid’l Fitr Kalilang sa Embahada”, in celebration of the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan at the Embassy grounds on 20 July 2015.

The “kalilang” (which means feast) was organized by the Muslim personnel of the Embassy and was attended by the Filipino Muslim community in Riyadh.

In his remarks, Chargé d’Affaires Marshall Louis Alferez emphasized the importance of the occasion to usher in a rebirth in the self and how the lessons of the season may be used to reinvigorate the role of Filipinos overseas, both Muslim and non-Muslim, in the development of the Philippines.

First Secretary and Consul Mary Jennifer Dingal read the message of President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulating Muslim Filipinos for Eid’l Fitr.    

There was a cultural performance by students of the International Philippine School in Riyadh (IPSR) and members of the Maranao community in Riyadh. The IPSR dance troupe presented the “Singkil”, a famous dance of the people of Lake Lanao that is derived from the Maranao epic Darangen. The performance is characterized by a Royal Princess dancing in and out bamboo poles, while surrounded by a Royal Prince and an entourage.

The other performance was by Ms. Nazmia Darimbang Dianaton, a nurse in Riyadh, who rendered a “Bayok”, a Maranao traditional extemporaneous story-telling through singing while accompanied by the kulintang and agong.

The whole cultural show was done with the accompaniment of Kulintang and Agong musical ensemble.

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