Filipinos got land as gift from RAK ruler 28 years ago

  DUBAI – Did you know that Ras Al Khaimah’s late ruler Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi donated land for Filipinos to use in Ras Al Khaimah 28 years ago? The office of the Filipino Club Ras Al Khaimah now sits on the piece of land that Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn Quintana described as a “generous donation” from the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah in 1993. The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi shared with Expatmedia.net a copy of the March 3, 1993 letter from the Government of Ras Al Khaimah to then ambassador Fortunato Oblena saying that the donation of the piece of land to the Filipino community is “unconditional”. The ownership of the land is non-transferable and will remain vested in the name of the government, said Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chief of the Ruler’s office, who signed the letter. Sheikh Saqr ruled Ras Al Khaimah from 1948 until his death in 2010. His son, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, is now the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. The late sheikh's 28-year-old gift remains, to this day, a precious testament of the UAE’s unending support to the Filipino community in the emirates. In a recent visit to Ras Al Khaimah, Philippine Ambassador Quintana led a team to reinvigorate the premises of the Filipino Club RAK, starting with a Philippine-inspired mural on the façade. Quintana said beautification work on the premises built on the land gifted by Ras Al Khaimah Government showed the Filipino community’s “commitment to ensure that this gift 28 years ago will remain relevant for years to come as envisioned by the ruler”. John Paul Faderogao, the Filipino artist who painted the mural on the facade of the Filipino Club RAK, received the Sentro Rizal Abu Dhabi Special Award from Ambassador Quintana in a special joint Philippine Independence Day ceremony at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai on Saturday (June 12). The embassy also recognized Filipino supporters who contributed to the mural project, including the Gauer family who hosted Faderogao for several days, and the Balbuena family who provided the paint used in the mural. PIA/Expat Media
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