Filipino festival honours nurses

The first Filipino festival in Wales is held in Rhyl

Rhyl has been moving to the sound of the Philippines after thousands of people arrived in the area for what is thought to be the first Filipino Festival in Wales.

Organisers arranged the event to cater for the hundreds of Filipino nurses and their families who work in the health sector across north east Wales

The event is for Filipino nurses and their families

The three main health trusts in the region flew staff to the Far East last year, to recruit about a hundred nurses.

Cecile Salvador from the Filipino Association wanted them to get involved with the local event.

"They will feel at home with a festival like this.

"We can help them if they feel lonely," she said.

Similar festivals have been held recently in London and Birmingham but this is believed to be the first party of its kind to be staged in Wales.

Organisers say that there are an increasing number of people from the Philippines coming to live in the area.

Growing community

Mrs Salvador has lived on the outskirts of Rhyl since 1988 but admits she still misses her native country.

"We still have a feeling for the Philippines and there is a big Filipino community now."

Saturday's free festival at the Rhyl Events Arena included traditional folk dancing, song rendition's and musical cabaret.

There was also an opportunity for people to sample traditional Filipino food.

The event sponsors - the Arts Council of Wales and Denbighshire County Council - allowed the Filipino Association to use the Rhyl arena for free.

Mrs Salvador said: "Without money from the Arts Council of Wales I don't think we could have afforded to host the event."

The day began at 1000 BST with the Welsh, Filipino and British national anthems played.