PH Independence Day bash in New York expects record crowds
Scene from a past Philippine Independence Day parade in New York City. INQUIRER FILE
NEW YORK CITY — Some 200 member organizations of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) will hold their collective 27th Philippine Independence Day celebration, marking the 118th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence on Sunday, June 5.
PIDCI once more expects a record turnout for the whole-day celebration, which has become a much-awaited spectacle for Filipinos in northeastern United States.
Over the last several months, PIDCI organized major events, such as the Grand Marshals Gala, the Mrs. Kalayaan contest and, most recently the Diwa ng Kalayaan (Spirit of Independence) contest, in a build-up to Philippine Independence Day.
The day features three major events: the all-day Independence Day Street Fair – a veritable Filipino Food Festival and Mini-Expo – this year to take place on 26th Street between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue; the commemoration’s centerpiece Independence Day Parade – taking off at 12:00 noon heading downtown on Madison Avenue after brief opening ceremonies at 11:45 a.m. on the Avenue at 38th Street; and the afternoon Cultural Festival featuring celebrities, performers, talents from here and everywhere, including the Philippines.
Guests of Honor for the whole day festivities are Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Consul General of the Philippines in New York Mario Lopez de Leon, Jr., while Grand Marshals for the Independence Day Parade are Dr. Leonidas “Ned” Pulido and wife Carmencita “Menchie” Pulido.
The day’s festivities are ushered in by an early morning (8:30 a.m.) Flag Ceremony at the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue (556 Fifth Avenue, NYC, between 45th and 46th Street) immediately followed by a Thanksgiving Independence Day Mass at the Kalayaan Hall on the 2nd Floor of the Center with principal celebrant Rev. Monsignor Oscar A. Aguino, JCD, concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Vic Arenas.
Cultural Festival –Philippine Independence Day’s concluding event is the afternoon Cultural Festival, staged on an open air stage situated on the 25th Street northwest end of Madison Avenue; it kicks off at around 1:00 p.m. and winds up the day’s celebrations at 6:00 p.m.
The Masters of Ceremonies for the afternoon are Jonathan Capistrano, Sigh Robes Castillo and Ethel Constantino. As of this writing, the Program, as communicated by PIDCI Board of Director, Cultural Festival Committee Chair Helen Kwong LaBarbera is as follows:
National Anthems Star Spangled Banner – Christine Morales Lupang Hinirang – Anne Garana
Kinding Sindaw Melayu Heritage Take the Stage Desiree Wisotsky Angel Ram and Geo Rebucas Sinulog
Tigbazz Cuatro Tatlong Rondallista
Philippine Heritage Center Rondalla & Chorus Ligaya Cultural Group
MB2 Talents and Young Performers Songspell Christopher Corro with Mrs. Kalayaan
and Diwa ng Kalayaan (Spirit of Independence) Maggie K.
UPC Korus Nanette Inventor Band of Brothers Dinagyang Festival Street Dancers TV 5
Ogie Alcasid Yessey Pressman James Yap
Philippine Air Lines (PAL) KC Concepcion
Joey Albert and Music and Magic – Louanne Cuenco
Fe de los Reyes Jessica Casas Jett Montelibano
apl.de.ap Finale Song: “Ako’y Isang Pinoy”
The culminating event of the 118th anniversary commemoration of the declaration of Philippine Independence – the Independence Ball, is scheduled at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe Hotel at 100 Frank W. Burr Boulevard, in Teaneck, New Jersey on Friday, June 10, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Information and invitations for the Independence Ball may be obtained by calling any of the chairs: Margie Wisotsky (201) 273- 2081 or Rely Manacay (917) 755-0160, or PIDCI President Dr. Prospero Lim (347) 248-5106 or any member of the PIDCI Board of Directors.
