The Filipino Migrants: Eid el Kabir

An Eid el Kabir celebrations

As the Nigerian Government had declared October 15 and 16 as public holidays for the Eid el Kabir festivities, PPA continued the sportsfest. Tennis and Badminton games were held at Dantata & Sawoe courts.

The games wrapped up at around 12:00 noon.

PART I

...Badminton: Doods of the Orange team vs Tirso's (intricate dance steps) of the Black team...

....outside the Badminton court: Bookers? Busy getting bets? NAH...just checking mails and messages: Noel, Donald, Maris, Tickboy, Vernie, John, Allan, TJ....

PART II

Eid el Kabir Luncheon hosted by the Nigerian-Turkish Nile University

The sheer number of cows as sacrificial offerings almost overwhelmed us. As the Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof. Dr. Huseyin Serp explained, this ritual is repeated every year during these celebrations. Thousands of cows, goats and rams are slaughtered and given out to hundreds of families regardless of faith and creed.

Lunch was simple but rich – rice was cooked with olive oil, meat almost tasting like corned beef, and the dessert – (I asked for more!) and the very delightful Turkish tea.

We were grateful to the hosts: Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Huseyin Serp and the Dean of Post Graduate Studies Dr. Veyis Karakoc - enjoying once more the hospitality of the Turkish community (via the university).

Marilyn, James, Tirso, Alan, Rose, Clifford, Eslsie, Angie and Mike: from athletes to eat-lets...

...cross-section of guests who attended the Sallah lunch feted by the Nigerian Turkish Nile University management: group of OFWS standing from left Angie, Marilyn, Elsie, Sean, Rose, Vangie and Fely with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Huseyin Serp

...can't resist taking these shots - Clifford resembles the Turkish chef shown here with Fely

...Stomach progress - in progress...

...middle picture: Raymond and the Philippine Ambassador Alex V. Lamadrid...and the grooup: Sean, Elsie, Angie, Marilyn, Rose, Vangie and Fely

...the sacrificial cows...for the Sallah celebrations

...a last look...at us!

...the Vitnamese Ambassador H.E. Hoang Ngoc Ho with the Philippine Ambassador Alex V. Lamadrid and Dean Karakoc

PART III

And from the University we proceeded to the official residence of the Philippine ambassador at Jabi – a charming house in a peaceful neighborhood. The paintings on his wall were done by a Filipino artists.