The Las Damas de Rizal Central Region Chapter, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gathered at the Dabab Hotel by Warwick in Sulaimania on May 29, 2026, to mark one year since its founding, capping a milestone evening that brought together Philippine government officials, fraternal partners and a newly expanded roster of members.
Reflecting on the journey, Chapter President Lady Divina Asug, LPR, used her acceptance speech to trace how the organization had grown from modest beginnings into a body now active across Saudi Arabia, the broader Middle East and Africa region, Europe, the United States and the Philippines. She credited that endurance through difficult stretches to the loyalty and effort of the chapter’s officers and members.
The anniversary carried added weight given the diplomats and officials in attendance from the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office in Riyadh. Among them were First Secretary and Consul Sir Dean Jason N. Arriola, KR; Police Attaché Police Colonel Sir Virgilio V. Viloria; Police Chief Master Sergeant Sir Mark T. Paccalagan, KR, of the Office of the Police Attaché; Labour Attaché Atty. Dominador Salanga, KOR, of the MWO; and Assistant Labour Attaché Ms. Lucille T. Gayaman, who served as the event’s Inducting Officer.
Delivering the keynote, Arriola spoke of the embassy’s backing for community-led efforts. “The Philippine Embassy is highly supportive of activities that promote official government programs and advocacies, while providing a helping hand to our kababayans in distress here in the Kingdom,” he said. He added that the embassy intends to work closely with Las Damas de Rizal, the Knights of Rizal and related groups to widen the benefits available to Filipinos inside the Kingdom and elsewhere.
The occasion also served as the moment for four women to formally enter the sisterhood, each having cleared a demanding round of interviews held ahead of the ceremony. Gayaman administered the Oath of Office and the Oath of Members, with the inductees raising their right hands and committing themselves to their responsibilities and to the welfare of fellow Filipinos.
Participation extended to fraternal and youth sectors as well, including Sir Mario Vera Cruz, Deputy Regional Commander for the Middle East and Africa Region; the Council of Elders; the Prefectural Tribunal; chapter advisers; the Knights of Rizal Board of Trustees; and members of the Knights of Rizal and the Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal, Central Region Chapter.
Chapter Vice President Lady Arisah Cayetano closed the program by addressing the newest members directly. “Congratulations to our new sisters. As you embark on this journey with us, let us keep our spirits high and intentionally align our purpose,” she said. “Together, we will continue to amplify our impact and serve our community with a shared vision.”
The chapter also recognized the Filipino organizations and individual sponsors whose support sustained its operations throughout its first year and made the anniversary gathering possible.
