01 September 2014 – The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, K.S.A and its partners in the Filipino community in Jeddah celebrated the 2014 Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa (National Language Month) with a Filipino Poetry Writing and Reciting contests among Filipino high school students and a Photography Contest and Exhibit.
Twenty-four (24) high school students from Grades 7 to 10, eight (8) students each from the three accredited Philippine curriculum schools in Jeddah,
(Al Dura (GEMS) International School, Durat Al Sharq International School (POIS) and Philippine International School in Jeddah (IPSJ)) participated in the Poetry Writing Contest held at the PCG Hall on 21 August 2014. The theme: “Sa Wikang Filipino, Magkakaisa ang Pilipino sa Buong Mundo” was chosen for the competition. The six (6) students from GEMS and Durat Al Sharq International School who copped the top highest scores qualified and competed in the Poetry Recitation Contest held on 29 August 2014. Ms. Yvonne Dayne M. Luis, Grade 10, from Durat Al Sharq International School, emerged as Champion and 1st runner-up for her two entries entitled, “Gumising at Magkaisa” and “Tayo ay Pilipino, Saan Man sa Mundo”, respectively. Ms. Luis has submitted two entries during the Poetry Writing contest and both entries made to the finals.
The ASTIG Cooperative and Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council (OFWCC), in cooperation with UNITE, a group of photographers, organized the Photography Contest and Exhibit. The specific subject of the entry photos is “Buhay OFW: The Filipino at Work”. Twenty (20) photos were chosen from among seventy four (74) original entries for the one (1) week photo exhibit, 22-29 August 2014. Ms. Mia Mangaliag was awarded as champion for her entry, “The Joy in the Dark World” which depicted a Filipino Therapist taking good care of a sick Saudi girl thus bringing her joy and hope.
The winners of the Poetry Recitation and Photography contests were awarded during a Culmination Cultural Program on 
29 August 2014 held at the Consulate’s parking area. In a welcome remark, Philippine Consul General in Jeddah Leo Tito L. Ausan, Jr. expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the students and their respective schools for participating in the poetry writing and reciting contests and thanked the Consulate’s Filipino community partners for their unending support and cooperation in all programs and activities of the Consulate. In a nutshell, his message for Buwan ng Wika is simply, “Ang ating mga natunghayan ngayong gabi ay patunay na ang wikang Filipino ay tunay ngang tulay ng ating pagkakaisa.”
To spice up the main offerings of Poetry Recitation Contest and Photography Contest and Exhibit, announcement of winners, the DSON (the newest singing/dancing sensation group in Jeddah) sang Filipino song medleys and performed the traditional dances of “Subli” and “Bulaklakan". Additionally, four (4) female models paraded modern Filipiniana gowns created by multi-awarded fashion designer Mr. Crisostomo Gentica III, a Jeddah-based OFW, to the music of “Dalagang Filipina”. END.
