PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL NEW YORK

P R E S S R E L E A S E

PR-MDL-045-2014 3 June 2014-KPCorpuz

Philippine Triumph and Pride Displayed in New York as Independence Day Celebrations Launched

Filipina Miss World Megan Young (center) together with Apl De Ap waves to fans at the end of the Philippine Independence Day Opening ceremonies in Madison Square Park last 1 June. (Photo by Rex Romero)

NEW YORK, 3 June 2014 – The Filipino community in the US Northeast kicked off celebrations for the 116th anniversary of Philippine Independence with the opening ceremonies last 1 June 2014 in New York organized by the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General.

The morning started with a community gathering for the Flag Ceremony at the Philippine Center in Manhattan. The Knights of Rizal served as the flag bearers, and about 150 people were in attendance including Consul General and Madame Mario L. De Leon, Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Madame Libran Cabactulan and PIDCI President Fe Martinez.

A concelebrated thanksgiving mass followed at the Kalayaan Hall, with Monsignor Oscar Aquino as the main celebrant, Father Patrick Longalong served as the Homilist and they were assisted by Deacon Louie Velo.

After the mass, Consul General De Leon then delivered his message on the theme of the year’s Independence celebrations, “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago”, translated in English as, “Following

the footsteps of Great Filipinos, towards inclusive and sustainable development.” He related the current trends developing in the Philippines that relate to our impressive economic performance, breakthroughs in good governance and the milestone signing of the Bangsamoro Peace Pact for Mindanao last March. He announced that the groundwork for progress has been laid out in the Philippines and encouraged the Filipinos and Fil-Ams in the US Northeast to contribute to the positive upturn by directing investments, business, visitors, intellectual capital to our country to further propel this growth.

Clockwise from top leftt: (L-R) Madame De Leon, Consul General De Leon, Grand Marshalls Drs. Emil and Fely Quines, Ambassador and Mrs. Libran Cabatulan and Mrs. Cora Reyes before the flag ceremony; The community sings Lupang Hinirang during the flag ceremony at the Philippine Center; PIDCI President Fe Martinez leads the Offertory procession as Monsignor Aquino receives the gifts; Leaders of the Filipino community gathers for the concelebrated thanksgiving mass; (Photos by Yetbo Loves Rita)

The community then gathered to Madison Street for the biggest Independence Day celebration outside the Philippines, where an estimated 100,000 attended. It is the 25th year that PIDCI is heading the Parade preparations, with Drs. Emilio and Fely Quines acting as the Grand Marshalls this year. Headlining the spectacle with the theme “Triumphs of the Filipino: Pride of the Philippines” was Filipina Miss World Megan Young, drawing the most cheers and applause from the crowd. Accomplished athletes Anna Marie “The Hurricane” Julaton (Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts), Michelle Bumgarner (Mazda Road to Indy driver), and Sochi Olympic figure skater Michael Christian Martinez who brought the Philippines to the sports world map joined in the festivities as well.

Clockwise from top left: Filipina Miss World proudly waves the Philippine flag during the Parade; Float winners Bacolod Masskara group shows off their colorful costumes to the crowd; Consul General De Leon and PIDCI Officials along with Judge Schoefield formally opens the Parade with the ceremonial ribbon-cutting; Another Parade float winner Benguet-Ifugao-Bontoc-Apayao-Kalinga (BIBAK) of US Northeast in their native attire parade along Madison Avenue; Deputy Consul General Kira Danganan-Acuzena and Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz along with the Philippine Consulate General staff during the Parade. (Photos by Elton Lugay, Yetbo Loves Rita and Wendell Gaa)

US government officials were among the VIPs who attended and took in all the merriment. Filipino-American US Federal Judge Lorna Schoefield sat in the grandstand while Senator Chuck Schumer announced that the "Filipino people are one of the nicest peoples in the world," describing them as hardworking and always smiling. He recalled the immigration support he gave for the Filipino nurses in the past and told the crowd that the Filipinos will always have a friend in the Senate and US Congress as long as he is there. Both stayed to witness the street show as Filipino organizations paraded in their colorful costumes and performed their cultural dances and music.

(L-R) Sochi Olympic figure skater Michael Christian Martinez, Boxing Champ Anna Julaton and Mazda Road to Indy Winning Racer Michelle Bumgarner take in the applause from fans during the cultural festival; Senator Chuck Schumer says praises and congratulations to the Filipinos while Judge Lorna Schoefield and Consul General De Leon proudly look on. (Photos by Yetbo Loves Rita and Troi Santos)

International artists Apl De Ap, David Pomeranz and Anna Marie Perez De Tagle, OPM singer-composers Ogie Alcasid, Kuh Ledesma and Cecilia Azarcon provided musical entertainment during the cultural festival that followed the parade. Throughout the day a street fair showcasing Filipino food and products were available for the participants and spectators. END

Clockwise from top left: Kinding Sindaw Melayu Group perform their Mindanao dances in the street; Bacolod took their Masskara performance to Madison Street; BIBAK NE members don their bahag during the hot Parade day; Barangay Gingoognon USAshow off their dancing talents. (Photos by Elton Lugay and Yetbo Loves Rita)