The latest Happy City Index for 2025 was recently published which used indicators ranging from governance, environment, economy, mobility, education, access to cultural institutions, safety, and work-life balance, among others.
I have visited four cities, and I can proudly say that Dubai, even if it was not in the list, is a Happy City, too.
The four cities – Seoul, Singapore, Zurich, and Taipei – and Dubai have many things in common. All of them have Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) systems that link the international airport to the city center and tourist destinations. The MRT is the best way to travel around these cities where you don’t fear being pickpocketed. All of them are very safe for tourists and residents alike.
And just like Dubai, the four cities were scenes of Hollywood and Netflix movies. In Zurich, three scenes from the blockbuster K-Drama Crash Landing on You (CLOY) were shot in the following: Lindenhof tree-covered park and public square, the historic pedestrian and road Münsterbrücke bridge, and the Schweizer Heimatwerk gift store that specializes in Swiss handcrafted souvenirs.
In Singapore, most of the scenes of the romantic comedy-drama Rich Crazy Asians were shot in the city-state, with the Marina Bay Sands hotel as the famous one. In Taipei, a scene was shot at the Taipei 101 in the science fiction action film Lucy staring Scarlett Johansson. Taipei 101 is an iconic landmark in Taipei, just like the Marina Bay Sands and, of course, the Burj Khalifa, where the 4thinstallment of the Mission Impossible movie had a death-defying stunt by Tom Cruise at the world’s tallest man-made structure.
The 2020 Oscar Best Picture Parasite was produced and shot in Seoul. Just like the CLOY locations in Zurich and other places in Switzerland, interest in the Seoul locations the movie featured has skyrocketed.
Speaking about Dubai, minus the summer heat, it is indeed a Happy City as all social classes can avail and enjoy the world-class transport facilities, parks, beaches, sports centers, recreation venues and malls – even with a few dirhams.
Dubai Sports World (DSW) 2025 will take place from August 3 to September 2 at the Za’abeel Halls 2 to 6 of Dubai World Trade Center. DSW is a massive sporting indoor venue featuring sports like basketball, volleyball, football, and cricket. It allows sports enthusiasts to rent pitches or courts and play their own matches. Many formal and informal Filipino groups conduct basketball tournaments there.
And speaking about the summer heat, we can go swimming in the evening at three beach locations. In May 2023, Dubai Municipality opened night-swimming beaches at Jumeirah 2, Jumeirah 3, and Umm Suqeim 1. They feature bright lighting systems that help lifeguards monitor the swimmers and electronic screens display messages that increase safety awareness among beachgoers.
The entire UAE was the best country to be living in during the height of the pandemic as all residents, regardless of nationalities, were given two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, while those who suffered chronic symptoms were treated very well, and for free.
We are very fortunate that we are living and/or working in Dubai and in the UAE, in general, as the country practices tolerance and coexistence with a full ministry looking after the nation’s commitment to “join with the entire world in support of tolerance, pluralism, and peaceful and mutually beneficial coexistence”. All nationalities can practice their respective religions and Catholics have nine churches in five emirates.
Thank you, Dubai, for the world-class facilities we are enjoying, the safe communities we are living in, and the freedom to worship our religion we are practicing. Indeed, a Happy City.
Note: The columnist is a 24-year resident of Dubai and is currently working as Head of Corporate Communications of a global energy logistics company. He is a former Filipino Community Leader and is now active with a global Catholic movement promoting the renewal of Christian family life. He can be reached at artlosbanos@gmail.com
