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A life of learning is a life worth living, I say. When one has the perseverance and tenacity to improve one's self through the exchange of information and skills, then he or she commands self respect and in turn, the respect of others. Stagnation in an ever-changing world is not an option nor is it a luxury for people who have left their loved ones back home to earn money in a foreign land. It is an obligation to themselves and the people close to their hearts as they have chosen a path to provide a better future for their families in the Philippines. To those who continue to strive for a better tomorrow - you truly are the hopes and unsung heroes of the motherland.
Digerati held the graduation of its 7th term students last 23 April 2010 in Taj Palace, Deira. In a hall that measured more than three times the size of a basketball court, the 300-strong graduating class of Digerati filled it to the brim. Indeed, it has been a tough time for everyone, sprinkled with more than its fair share of twists and turns, challenges and obstacles, this graduation event was the culmination of three months of hard work for the students, volunteers, and officers. They weren’t prepared for the outcome.
ANG PAKSA
Filipiniana – this term’s commencement exercise has been extra special because of the conceptualized motif. Although the organizers only expected a handful to comply to the general theme, almost seventy five percent of the attendees acquiesced and proudly came in their barongs, sarongs, and other variations of the Philippine national attire. Although the general arrangement of the graduation hall was conceived and realized on the eleventh hour, the result was magical … and inasmuch as the volunteers and officers worried about the turn out of this graduation – the warmth and appreciation from the Digerati students’ eyes on the hard work done was not lost to them. Everyone loved it.
As Filipinos enjoy celebrity so much, naturally, a Mr. and Miss Filipiniana contest was help to cap the wondrous Filipiniana theme. This was won by Mr. Angelo Nino Brijuega and Ms. Cherry Joy Vargas Manosa.
ANG SINULOG AT DAYANG-DAYANG
The word “Sinulog” has a Cebuano etymology taken from the adverb “sulog” meaning “like water current movement”. The two-step forward and one-step back is made to portray the river movements through a rhythmic sound of drums.
Just when everyone thought that the festive Filipino costumes were enough to fill the eyes, the stage exploded with color – in vibrant shades of fiery red and glorious gold. The representatives of Za’abeel dazzled the audience with silk and steel gilded in these bright colors that epitomized the Filipino love for pompous art and expressive dance.
ANG BALAGTASAN
Wikipilipinas defines “balagtasan” as a debate in poetic verse. It was created during the American Colonization of the Philippines, inspired by old forms of Philippine verse debate like the karagatan, Juego de Prenda and the duplo. Its name comes from the original surname of Francisco Baltazar, Balagtas, having been created to honor his birth anniversary.
This particular Filipino exchange was entitled by DAPAT BA O HINDI DAPAT NA MANLIGAW ANG MGA KABABAIHAN?, and was expertly presented by Donnabel Cantila, Czarina Maala, Michelle Opalla, Ryan Cabug, Gilbert Allen, Wilfren Papaya and Rizalina Abuel (FDA President-2010). The gist of the debate was whether women should have the right and privilege of expressing their love to the male gender without being judged “improper.”
The Filipino society revolves around core values taken from the Spanish way of life. Maria Clara - an epitome of the ideal Filipina. The male antagonists took on the more conservative of the side of the debate citing that the Filipina should not lose its personality despite the changing times and that to wait for the male to express their love to them was a love worth waiting for.
The protagonists, on the other end, represented by the women, held on to the mantra that “love waits for no one” … carpe diem (seize the day). True love comes into one’s life like a comet – intermittent and unexpected. To not be able to express one’s love due to social constraints was to live behind virtual prison bars of anticipation, regret, and misery.
What do you think?
ANG HARANA
Love and celebrity are a Filipino’s staple food. What then, would bring the house down for a 300-strong ensemble, but a quasi-extemporaneous portrayal of the “harana”?
The simple and undeniable beauty of the presentation stemmed not only from the melodious songs from Nanay Pacing (Pacita Sta Ana) and Tatay Fermin (Fermin dela Cruz) but from the fact that the audience was witness to characters who actually lived through the times when the “harana” truly still held meaning. Nanay Pacing was lovely in her baro’t saya and while the gray defeated the black upon her crown, her timeless beauty shone through her sparkling eyes and elegant smile. She was beautiful and enchanting.
As Nanay Pacing enthralled Digerati with her ageless beauty and wit, Tatay Fermin instinctively and expertly wove the audience awe into an experience that swept everyone off their feet. He was debonaire without being forward … romantic without being smothering … funny but still grounded. It was mind-blowing how two people could throw so many people in a splendid fit of … “kilig”.
MUNTING PALABAS
Lights were off and silence filled the room as the film reel started to roll for the mini-documentary featuring “The Empowered Filipina”, a creation of
Dubai-based Filipino film director Kamil Roxas in association with Filipino lifestyle magazine Illustrado, which aims to challenge the negative Pinay stereotype in the region.
Beyond any doubt, the film’s compelling message captured the audience especially when the plight of the Filipina housemaids has been highlighted. In fact, some of the students had become emotional for they could clearly associate themselves with the stories. But more than the adversity and the roller-coaster fate that every Filipina faces here in the gulf, the success stories of the Women of Substance and other inspiring testimonies served as a motivational tool not only for all the graduates but also for the volunteers and officers of the Club to uplift oneself despite prevalent negative stereotypes and to strive better in life with a pride of being a Filipino.
PANAUHING PANDANGAL
Digerati has always been grateful for the fact that the Philippines high-ranked government officials to the UAE are consistently supporting the organization’s affairs. And for this time around, His Excellency, Consul Abu Dhabi and First Secretary Jose Jacob graced the program on behalf of Her Excellency, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Grace Relucio-Princesa, and to represent His Excellency, Consul General of Dubai Benito B. Valeriano, Honorable Consular Officer Maribel Marcaida was also present in the event.
ANG PAGTATAPOS
"Huwag mong hayaang igupo ka ng iyong kamangmangan ngunit huwag mong hayaang dalhin ka ng iyong karunungan sa kapahamakan…” – words of wisdom shared by the incumbent Filipino Digerati Association’s president. Wisdom and humility are values that mould the spirit of Digerati. In as much as we, in Digerati encourage the learning process of everyone that desires to learn, we implore the need to share and use the knowledge for the betterment of their lives and of others.
To better cater to the needs of the working Filipinos in Digerati; AutoCad, Professional & Self Development, and Communications and Presentation Skills courses that were added to this term. All these courses were success stories in FDA.
As changes are inevitable, this time around, graduates were called per course and not the usual per branch. This resulted in rapt attention, as each graduate was eager for their courses to be called upon and not have to wait for another branch to finish. The awarding of certificates flowed like silk as lines were eagerly formed and names were called one-by-one. This portion of the program – usually the most chaotic, turned out to be extremely satisfying for the graduates and the teachers alike.
Ang Pasasalamat
Making it through to the graduation day that was exceptionally well thought-out, conceptualized entertaining and meaningful; marching on stage and receiving certificates and accolades; taking home plentiful of wonderful gifts – that surely left a big, big SMILE and a souvenir to remember for every Digerati student.
And of course, these would have not been successfully accomplished without the help and huge support of the generous sponsors hence, a deepest thanks and heartfelt gratitude is given to Illustrado magazine and Arabian Oasis company for the hundreds of freebies and give-aways and to Ms. Vanessa Verde and her friends for the events’ photo coverage.
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