DOT Joins Filipino Muslims In
Eid’l Fitr Festival
Wazzup Pilipinas!
Here's the press release from the Department of Tourism (DOT) Tourism
Promotions Board and an invite for Wazzup Pilipinas to join the presscon at the
5th floor CCA Market Cafe of the Podium and to witness the opening of an Eid'l
Fitr art exhibit at 2nd level of the same mall to last from August 2 to 8, plus
along with this is an invite to also attend the celebrations from August 9 to
11 at the Atrium of the Block at SM North EDSA.
Wazzup Pilipinas has already attended the presscon and art exhibit opening
(highlights of the event will be posted soon here) and is excited to also
attend the celebration on August 9 to 11. I'm sure this will be one grand event
organized in celebration of Eid'l Fitr and to promote tourism in the country
by attracting foreign and kababayan visitors to come visit the Philippines
during these times.
Eid'ls
More Fun in the Philippines!
The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions
Board (TPB) have stepped up support for this year’s Eid’l Fitr celebrations
from 9-11 August 2013 at the Atrium/The Block of SM North, Quezon City and in
other areas of the country.
The Eid’l Fitr Festival, organized by the Magbassa Kita Foundation, Inc. led by
its Chairperson, former Senator Santanina T. Rasul, will feature a variety of
activities from country displays by the different Islamic embassies in the
country; institutional exhibits by Local Government Units (LGUs), government
agencies, and donor agencies working on peace and development initiatives;
trade fair of products from Mindanao; fashion exhibit on traditional Muslim
attires; interactive Salam Villages; and cultural presentations.
An Art Exhibit is also scheduled from 2-8 August 2013 at the Podium,
Mandaluyong City to kick start the Festival with works of world-renowned
craftsmen led by Abdulmari Imao and fashion creations by Pitoy Moreno.
Eid’l
Fitr (also known as Eid-al-Fitr, Id-Ul-Fitr, Eid) is the first day of the
Islamic month of Shawwal signaling the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting and
prayer. Eid literally means festivity and after a month-long sacrifice, Eid’l
Fitr (festival of fast-breaking) is looked forward to as a period of merriment,
sharing, and forgiveness.
In 2002, the Eid’l Fitr was recognized as a national holiday by the government,
making the Philippines the first predominantly Christian country worldwide to
have done so. The proclamation was enacted to promote peace and harmony among
all major religions in the country.
“The DOT is one with our Muslim brothers and sisters in this year’s celebration
of Eid’l Fitr. As in the past, our participation is a constant recognition of
the close affinity with the Muslim community and deep appreciation of our
cultural diversity that lends more beauty to our country. The Eid’l Fitr
celebration provides opportunities to showcase the best of Muslim culture and
traditions, as well as enable guests and even strangers to experience the
practice of thanksgiving and sharing. The Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, a
milestone achievement forged under President Aquino’s administration, is one
among the many reasons why this year’s celebration is more meaningful,” DOT
Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said.
The DOT has rallied various tourism-oriented establishments to support the
festival. Among the mall chains with sale and activities are SM (Bicutan,
Quiapo, Davao, Lanang, GenSan), Robinsons (Robinsons Place and Starmills in
Pampanga) and Ayala (Glorietta 2 in Makati City, Trinoma in Quezon City and
Market! Market! in Taguig City). On the other hand, restaurants offering Halal
food are the following Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines
(HRAP) members: Bacolod Chicken Inasal in Greenhills, Coffee Shop of Bayview
Park Hotel, Café in the Park of Century Park Hotel, Riviera Café of Heritage
Hotel, Market Café of Hyatt Regency Hotel and Casino and Circles of Makati
Shangri-La.
The TPB, as the marketing arm of the DOT, intends to institutionalize annual support
to the Eid. TPB Chief Operating Officer Domingo Ramon C. Enerio III said,
“Festival support is just one aspect. What is more important is capacitating
local government and communities to enhance existing and develop new tourism
products. Our industry is likewise excited by the prospects of a peaceful
Mindanao. Our brand campaign will ring truer as this unfolds.”
“We are thankful for the support of these establishments who have responded to
our call for participation. The success of Eid’l Fitr is also a testament to
the government and people support for the peace process towards the sustainable
development of Mindanao. Tourism is a vehicle to achieve inclusive growth and
Mindanao can very well capitalize on its rich natural and cultural resources. We
enjoin every Filipino to take an active role in making the entire country a
peaceful, more fun, and must-experience destination in Asia,” Secretary Jimenez
added.(Posted by: Pinoy Tekkie on August 2, 2013 in the Official Pilipinas
Blog: Wazzup Pilipinas!)
