Marcos apologizes to OFWs for canceling UAE trip

Despite President Marcos' last-minute cancellation of his trip to the United Arab Emirates, the gathering with the Filipino community here pushed through on Thursday night and was filled with fun and performances.

- HELEN FLORES

The usual festive mood during the FilCom gathering was felt as Filipinos gamely engaged with the event's host, Philippine-based rapper MC Leandro, and sang along with performers in their rendition of classic original Pilipino music and Christmas songs.

Marcos, in a video message, apologized to Filipinos for not being able to see them person ally, saying he has to attend to the case of the 17 Philippine nationals who were among those held hostage by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants in the Red Sea on Nov. 19.

The President noted that the happiest part of his foreign visits is his meetings with fellow Filipinos.

"I feel very bad that I have - I will not be able to do it with you this time," the Chief Executive told Filipinos gathered at the Dubai World Trade Center.