Celebrating Filipino Culture in the UAE: A Beautiful Exchange of Traditions

The UAE is home to people from all over the world, a place where different cultures, traditions, and languages come together in harmony. For Filipinos living here, celebrating our rich culture and heritage is not just about remembering where we come from—it’s also about sharing the beauty of our traditions with others.

Every year, schools across the UAE host International Day celebrations, where students proudly showcase their heritage. For Filipino children and youth, this is a special moment to wear our Filipino cultural clothing fro TERNO, Barong Tagalog, camisas and accessories that are part of our heritage. It is a special time to showcase our traditional dances like tinikling, carinyosa or pandanggo sa ilaw, and share stories about our vibrant history, food, languages, natural resources and tourist spots! These moments allow us to connect with our roots, deepening the sense of identity and pride.

But beyond the colourful performances and beautiful attires, cultural celebrations like these remind us of something greater—the value of unity in diversity. When we share our culture, we don’t just highlight what makes us different; we also discover what makes us the same.

A Filipino wearing TERNO or Barong Tagalog, performing a folk dance, or  singing a Filipino song—these are not just displays of culture. They are bridges, connecting hearts and minds, showing that no matter where we come from, we all have stories, traditions, and values that bring us together.

Cultural exchange in schools teaches young minds that diversity is something to celebrate, not fear. It helps them see that while we may come from different parts of the world, we all share the same love for family, the same joy in celebrations, and the same dreams for a bright future. When children grow up appreciating different cultures, they grow into adults who respect, understand, and uplift one another.

In a country like the UAE, where so many nationalities live side by side, this unity is a powerful reminder that our differences should not divide us, but rather inspire us to learn from each other. By sharing our Filipino culture, we contribute to this beautiful exchange, showing the world the warmth, resilience, and spirit of the Filipino people.

At the end of the day, it is not about whose culture is better—it is about how we can embrace and celebrate each other’s uniqueness while recognizing the common threads that make us all human. And that, in itself, is a lesson worth passing on to the next generation.

Mabuhay ang kulturang Pilipino, at mabuhay ang pagkakaisa ng lahat ng lahi!