Overseas Filipino Workers Help Dubai Prepare to Host Expo 2020

The Emirate of Dubai is gearing up to host the upcoming Expo 2020, a massive and globally collaborated, six-month-long celebration that aims to take participants into a melting pot of international cuisine, world-class architecture, innovative landscapes, and diverse art and culture.

Opening its gates to visitors from October 20, 2020, to April 21, 2021, Expo 2020 Dubai welcomes a record-breaking 192 participating countries, and anticipates 25 million visits from guests around the globe, welcoming them to experience world-renowned Emirati hospitality and values. Expo 2020 aims to promote future global prosperity through means of youth empowerment, innovation, friendship, and business opportunities.

The theme for Expo 2020 Dubai, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ is also supported by three key subthemes – Opportunity, Mobility, and Sustainability – each represented by their own pavilions and districts. Opportunity focuses on supporting solutions to social problems through the Expo Live programme, Expo 2020’s global innovation and partnership program designed to back projects with creative and innovative solutions; Mobility focuses on the movement and accessibility of knowledge, ideas, and goods to unravel current-day frontiers and the digital space; while Sustainability discusses alternative sources for basic necessities that can help preserve the planet.

Together, the three Thematic Districts will feature 192 country Pavilions, a first in the 168-year history of World Expos. Built and designed from the ground-up to best convey national identity, each pavilion is expected to be nothing short of innovative, enlightening, and fun.

The Philippines Pavilion, referred to as ‘Bangkóta’, is designed to resemble the natural and organic shape of the country’s famed coral reefs, drawing visitors into free-flowing, open spaces, which is said to reflect the nation’s embracement of openness, meaningful encounters, and connection to the world by travel, migration, and technology. The Pavilion will feature the country’s products, food, and beverages.

Filipinos in the UAE

The Filipino community has helped shape the UAE through their involvement in a variety of industries that both power and build the nation, from the service sector, construction, health, education, to media and entertainment. This time around, three Filipinos are helping mount one of the world’s greatest shows.

Dominique Villafuerte migrated to Dubai from the Philippines in 2010, finding a new life in the city along with her family. Two years prior to joining the Expo 2020 team, doctors had given her the unfortunate news that her 19-month-old daughter was severely deaf. The UAE Government is set to provide Villafuerte’s child with free medical treatment for the second time. She currently serves as Expo 2020’s Administration Officer for Marketing and is devoting herself to giving back to the country that has helped her, and her family.

Jon Jon Catapia, an Assistant Manager Business Support for Operations Back of House, was the eighth person to join the Expo 2020 team. 38-year-old Catapia has been promoted for an impressive third time, and now manages a team of eight people.

Jude Valderrama is a Senior Graphic Designer for The Narrative Lab, who has played a crucial part in designing and creating branding material for various projects under the event. He helped design the logos for the Expo 2020 Volunteers department and the Sustainability Pavilion.

To learn more about Expo 2020 Dubai, please visit www.expo2020dubai.com.