A composite photo of Gerald Anderson and Barbie Imperial at the Shukran Festival in Dubai on December 9, 2023. EXPAT MEDIA

Gerald Anderson and Barbie Imperial thrilled Filipinos at the inaugural Shukran Festival in Dubai on Saturday (December 9). Gerald and Barbie lent their star power to entertain an estimated 5,000 Filipinos who gathered at the day-long event at Horizon International School. Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ferdinand Ver and Philippine Consul General Renato Dueñas Jr also attended the event. The Shukran Festival featured a sports fest, a bazaar and a pop-up service for Migrant Workers Office, Assistance to Nationals and PhilSys. Gerald represented The Filipino Channel (TFC) as a guest player in the championship match between RAK Team and Al Ain Varsity. Following a coin toss, Gerald joined the Al Ain Varsity. Wearing a TFC jersey, Gerald appeared happy giving more assists to the local team players than taking shots. Al Ain Varsity went on to win the trophy with the score 44-37. The basketball championship also saw the participation of the Pinot Dads, Falcon and the Migrant Workers Office teams, which were the first to bow out. The sports fest also featured a men’s and women’s volleyball championship. The men’s division featured the FEVA, Vhourikat, SPSS Homecourt, FilClub Ajman, AP Champs, Japepe and One Dela Cruz. Team Magic won in the women’s division, which also featured the UFCA/CST, Taghrid Filcom Al Ain, RAK Volleyball, FilClub Ajman and One Dela Cruz. Meanwhile, Barbie performed a song number at half time during Gerald’s basketball game, and also indulged the crowd with an impromptu fan meet, granting three basketball players the chance to hug her.

Shukran Festival prizes and surprises

Organizer Infinite Communities told Expat Media that the Shukran Festival is aimed at giving Filipinos in the UAE the platform to show their appreciation to the country in song, dance, entertainment and sports. Infinite Communities promised a “bigger and better” festival next year. The inaugural Shukran Festival also saw the participation of F&B outlets like Bibingka and Paratha offering authentic Filipino food. Visitors also received prizes and freebies from participating partners like YasMed Medical Centre, BDO, Black and Decker, OMillionaire, LBC, Day to Day and Balikbayan Store. A lucky visitor won a flatscreen TV from Tecom Group, while Filipina Rona Joyce Bonifacio won a round-trip ticket from Philippine Airlines. ICA/Expat Media
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