(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Raynald C Rivera / The Peninsula
Philippine School Doha (PSD) kicked off its grand week-long silver founding anniversary celebrations with a colourful field demonstration featuring a variety of performances from nearly 4,000 students in all levels held at Al Rayyan Sports Club yesterday.
Garbed in elaborate costumes, the students impressed thousands in the audience with stunning performances during the whole day event. Children as young as three delighted the audience with their adorable costumes and moves presenting dance items inspired by nature and environment.
A much anticipated event in PSD's calendar, the field demonstration has turned into a competition which entails much preparation from concept to choreography to costumes. This year, the Primary Department competed in synchronized dance with cultural presentation of traditional dances from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao-the three island groups of the Philippines.
Synchronised dance contest for Intermediate students revolved on the theme of ‘Unity in diversity' in family, community and the world. ‘Service and excellence' was the theme of the creative dance competition for the Junior High School as well as the cheer dance contest for Senior High School Department.
The first Philippine school established in Qatar, PSD marks its 25th founding anniversary with the official inauguration of its own building in Abu Hamour.
Grade 2 students present their winning dance from Mindanao during the synchronised dance competition yesterday at Al Rayyan Sports Club. Pic: Raynald C Rivera / The Peninsua
'The use of the new school campus starting this school year represents its considerable step forward not only for the institution but also for the Filipino community in Qatar. To be able to call the new campus as our own instills a strong sense of pride in us as Filipinos in Qatar and reminds us that with our indomitable spirit in quest for excellence, anything is possible, said Philippine Ambassador Alan L. Timbayan in his message read by Consul General Roussel R. Reyes at yesterday's event.
'I congratulate PSD on the occasion of its foundation and it is on this note that I exhort its officials, faculty and staff to not rest on their laurels and to stay focused on the challenges that lie ahead, added Timbayan.
In the same vein, Gerardo P Macasa, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), said, 'We should not be complacent of what we have achieved now, instead we should remain intact and united in all our endeavours.
Acknowledging the presence of founding parents and past BOT members some of whom travelled to Qatar just to attend the event, Macasa said, 'I am indeed overwhelmed by your presence today. We are just continuing what you have started. I wish to extend my vote of thanks to all of you my PSD family for joining us through thick and thin.
He expressed optimism of the school 'will continue to stand proudly as long as Filipino community in Qatar exists.
Alexander S. Acosta, PSD Principal, recalled the challenges the school faced and thanked everyone who helped out to realize its dream of having its own building.
'Today, we shall take pride in celebrating our 25 years of long wait to have a permanent school building which used to be a dream but now a reality. Such reality turned into a sturdy and grand edifice whose flaming torch of knowledge is driven by the passion of our forbearers-our pioneer parents, some of whom are here today to serve in their sincere commitment to keeping a promise to be the vanguards of our school, said Acosta.
A four-day 'Payanig sa PSD, a bazaar featuring food and non-food booths, opens at the PSD campus tomorrow. The founding parents and former BOTs and employees, ASEAN ambassadors and other officials are expected to attend the Foundation Day ceremony on Thursday.
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