MANILA, Philippines —Members of the Filipino community in United Arab Emirates erupted in cheers as the world’s tallest skyscraper and the Dubai Festival City Mall lit up with some of the Philippine icons in history, culture and tradition, in celebration of the country’s 121st Independence Day on June 12.
On Wednesday evening, the 828-meter-tall Burj Khalifa glowed blue, red and white, the colors of the Philippine flag, together with its sun and three stars.
Meanwhile, the Dubai Festival City Mall also displayed the images of reigning Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and boxing legend turned senator Manny Pacquiao, as per Facebook photos posted by netizen Virgie Romuar.
Filipinos gathered outside the city mall also witnessed the images of the bahay kubo or nipa hut and the globally renowned Pinoy king of the road, the jeepney.
Moreover, the Dubai Festival City Mall also lit up with photos of indigenous tribes in the country and famous Philippine festivals.
In a Facebook post, Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes in Dubai said the event was a first in the history of Burj Khalifa.
Romuar’s photos massively took social media by storm, amassing 57, 000 reactions and almost 70,000 shares as of this posting. /ra