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Philippine President Marcos to visit UAE in November, first lady confirms

The last time a Philippine president came to the country was in December 2008 during the time of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Published: Sat 29 Jun 2024, 2:30 PM

Updated: Wed 3 Jul 2024, 8:59 PM

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Philippine first lady Marie Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos during a meeting with Filipino community leaders in the UAE on Saturday. — Photo: Angel Tesorero / KT

Philippine first lady Marie Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos during a meeting with Filipino community leaders in the UAE on Saturday. — Photo: Angel Tesorero / KT

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will come visit his kababayan (countrymen) in November, his wife, Marie Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos, confirmed on Saturday during her meeting with leaders of the Filipino expat community at a hotel in Downtown Dubai.

The visit by Araneta-Marcos to Dubai comes after Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, made a work visit to Manila early this month. He had a meeting with President Marcos in Malacañang Palace, where the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to boost cooperation. Araneta-Marcos was also present to meet Sheikh Abdullah in Manila.

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The Philippines and UAE are celebrating 50 years diplomatic and bilateral relations that was established on August 19, 1974.

Philippine first lady Marie Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos with Ambassador Alfonso Ver, Consul-General Marford M. Angeles, and Filipino community leaders

Philippine first lady Marie Louise ‘Liza’ Araneta-Marcos with Ambassador Alfonso Ver, Consul-General Marford M. Angeles, and Filipino community leaders

Meanwhile, Filipino expats are keen to see a sitting Philippine president visit them in the UAE. The last time a Philippine president came to the country was in December 2008 during the time of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Marcos Jr. was supposed to visit the UAE in November last year to attend COP28 but made a last-minute decision to cancel his trip to Dubai, citing “important developments” in the hostage situation involving 17 Filipino seafarers in the Red Sea as the reason then for his decision not to attend the UN climate summit.

He was also scheduled to meet the Filipino community at Dubai World Trade Centre and it would have been the first time in 15 years that a Philippine president would meet their kababayan (countrymen) in the UAE.

Boosting diplomatic relations

“The working visit of Mrs. Araneta-Marcos reinforces the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the UAE,” Ace Lester A. Quijada, board governor of Tau Gamma Phi (TGP) Global, told Khaleej Times.

“The meeting with the Filipino community also served as an avenue for the Philippine government to share its programs and initiatives. Similarly, our First Lady can share the feedback from overseas Filipinos on what needs to be improved in our government, in particular, our Department of Education,” added Quijada.

Orli Alforte Gayeta, a long-time UAE resident, added: “Seeing our First Lady in person filled me with a deep sense of pride and excitement. It was inspiring to witness her dedication to supporting Filipinos abroad and her commitment to staying connected with us. This encounter strengthened my connection to our homeland and reminded me of the strength and unity of the Filipino spirit, no matter where we are in the world.”

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