Why Dubai’s Filipino community keeps coming back to Al Rigga night market
Dubai: The music catches your attention first. Then come the lights, the chatter of families, and the smell of food drifting from one stall to the next. A traditional Filipino jeepney adds another reminder of home, while somewhere nearby, a karaoke singer takes the microphone and groups of friends gather to share a meal. At the DSF Al Rigga The Night Market in Deira, an evening out can feel a…
Dubai's Filipino community continues to return to the Al Rigga Night Market for a variety of reasons. With its music, lights, and food, the night market offers a familiar taste of home for those living in the UAE. The market, now in its seventh season, has reopened and draws visitors seeking a break from their daily routines. Located in Deira, a neighborhood with a significant population of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the market serves as a natural gathering place for the community.
Frel Villaflor, the owner of DSF Al Rigga The Night Market, has made it her mission to create a place that feels like home for Filipinos in Dubai. Villaflor estimates that about 80 percent of the market's visitors are Filipinos, and she believes her business has grown beyond providing for her family to offering small business owners a chance to start or expand their ventures.
For many, the market is more than just an evening out; it's an opportunity to reconnect with family and share a cultural experience with loved ones. Visitors can enjoy food stalls, live performances, and even take part in karaoke, creating a sense of belonging that feels like being back in the Philippines.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
