MANILA, Philippines – Three Filipino journalists working in the United Arab Emirates newspapers received awards at the closing ceremony of a shopping festival in Dubai.

The Philippine Consulate-General in Dubai said Lily B. Liboon, Cleofe Maceda and Hadrian Hernandez received the awards of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) held at the One and Only Royal Mirage Mall last February 28.

Liboon of Khaleej Times received the Best Prolific Writer award, while Maceda of Gulf News was awarded for Best Local Feature award, and Hernandez, Gulf News photojournalist, got the DSF Shopping Category Award.

The awards were given by the Director General of Dubai Information Sheik Hasher Bin Maktoum.

Since the launch of the DSF, Liboon has written 15 stories on the various events and entertainment during the Festival, including the Global Village (trade fair) in Dubailand.

Aimed at attracting tourists to Dubai and generating income for shopping malls and retailers, the DSF is a yearly 32-day event where shoppers are given as much as 50% to 70% discounts on prices of selected items.