OFWs in Jeddah celebrate 88th Saudi National Day


Iya Estrada Cabanding, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 25 2018 12:35 AM
JEDDAH - The streets and main roads of Jeddah were painted in all shades of green as the city celebrated Saudi Arabia’s 88th National Day. 
The country considered this year’s celebration as the grandest of all time.
 
The celebration started on Friday, and the main events of the festival were held on Sunday night. This included fireworks displays simultaneously shown in the country's 13 provinces.
 
The 15-minute fireworks display is the country’s bid in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Photo by Francis Ting
 Filipinos working in Jeddah were fascinated with the grand celebration and are thankful to be part of this year’s national day festivities.
 
“Napansin ko mas open na sila, di katulad nung previous na selebrasyon nila medyo mahigpit, ngayon andaming tao,” said Thudz Lubay.
 
“Maganda, kasama mo sila, madami silang nagce-celebrate, ung fireworks napakahaba, maganda, hindi mo masabi na pipitsugin, mag-eenjoy ka sa panonood,” said Kim Dulay.
 
“Ine-expect natin pag DH, pambahay lang, kaya malaking tulong sa akin na maipasyal ako sa ganito kahit bago lang ako dito,” said Jenelyn Limba.
The festival was also highlighted by different shows, parades, and 3-D lightning exhibits featuring the country’s cultural heritage.
Almost a million overseas Filipino workers are working in the kingdom but the number of expatriate workers continues to dwindle due to the Saudization program of the country, which paves the way for Saudi nationals to take on jobs previously held by expatriate workers. 
If given a chance to still work in the country, Lubay and Dulay would like to stay.
 
“Pipiliin ko pa rn dito, hindi ganun kataas ang cost of living at mas competitive ang pasahod nila dito.” Lubay said.
 
“Maganda ung kultura nila, madidisiplina ka nila," Dulay added.

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