San Francisco’s Kalayaan ’14 regales crowds, honors modern heroes

TFC pop star Erik Santos regaling crowd near the conclusion of Kalayaan ’14 in Union Square in San Francisco. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

A Filipino martial arts demonstration by Eskabo Daan. INQUIRER.net PHOTO

SAN FRANCISCO, California – Filipinos in the greater San Francisco area on June 21 celebrated Philippine independence with a new touch.

There were the usual mainstays — food booths, advocates promoting causes, ethnic dances and pop singers. But this year, Kalayaan 2014 gave prominence to “Kalaayan Heroes,” Filipino Americans whose contributions “are making a difference” in the community.

Between performances by Kulintronica, Eskabo Daan and Mabuhay Folkloric, organizers led by Kalayaan ’14 chair Radi Calalang and new Consul General Henry S. Bensurto honored the following contemporary Fil-Am heroes:

Carmen Colet – chair, San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee/Commissioner, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco; Yolanda Stern – philanthropist and community advocate; Henni Espinosa – Emmy award winning broadcaster; Melissa Villa – founder of Project PEARLS; Assemblyman Rob Bonta – California State Assembly member.

Councilman Ray Buenaventura – Council member and former Mayor of Daly City; Oscar Peñaranda – award winning author; Jay Gonzalez – professor, author and community advocate; aHydra Mendoza – VP, SF Board of Education and adviser to Mayor Lee; Councilwoman Joanne Del Rosario – Council member and former Mayor of Colma.

Filipino music from Kawayaan Rondalla. INQUIRER.net PHOTO

Al Perez –community leader and SF Commissioner of Entertainment; Marily Mondejar – community and women’s advocate and SF Commissioner; Freska Griarte — radio personality; Winston Damarillo – tech entrepreneur; Jose Esteves – Mayor of Milpitas; Gemma Nemenzo – award winning author and editor; Ron Muriera – community activist; Edwin Lozada – award winning author and Founder, Philippine Artists & Writers Association; Geraldine Solon – bestselling author and journalist.

Throngs of people flowed in and out of Union Square, site of the monument to Dewey’s “victory” at Manila Bay, in the heart of the city’s high-end shopping district.

Gawkers wandered among booths that included University of the Philippines Alumni Association, Filipina Women’s Network, San Francisco Department of Elections, PLDT, DirecTV, The Filipino Channel, Inquirer.net, Philippine Aid Network, AARP and Hospice By the Bay.

First batch of Kalayaan heroes: Carmen Colet (to the left of Dep. Consul Jaimon Ascalon); Yolanda Stern; Melissa Villa; Daly City Councilor Ray Buenaventura; Oscar Penaranda (to the right of Consul General Henry Bensurto); Assemblymember Robert Bonta; Prof. Jay Gonzalez; Hydra Mendoza; Kalayaan Chair Radi Calalang; Consul Reggie Bernabe. PHOTO BY MANDY CHAVEZ

Old reliable presence: Filipino food and snack booths. PHOTO BY MANDY CHAVEZ

Several commercial booths sold Filipino food and snacks, native fruit drinks, Filipino-inspired T-shirts (“Hella Pinay”) to lines of customers who invariably moseyed on to the central stage and performance space to watch dance and music performers such as Ukelenny, Kalinga Lin-Awa, Julienne Manalo and Kawayaan Rondalla.

Kalayaan SF 2014 culminated in a concert presented by ABS-CBN/TFC (The Filipino Channel), featuring “Philippine King of Pop” Eric Santos and other top Filipino talents to be announced.

The community-led celebration is a collaborative effort by the Filipino American community leaders from the San Francisco Bay Area in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General.

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