A Celebration of Philippine Heritage: ‘A Coming Together’

SAN FRANCISCO, California—On Sunday, June 12, 2011, Filipinos in the Bay Area will be celebrating three auspicious events; the 113th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and the 50th Anniversary of the San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee. Aptly themed “A Celebration of Philippine Heritage: A Coming Together,” Filipino community organizations from San Jose to Vallejo pulled their resources together to celebrate the three milestones.

Dennis Normandy, President of the San Francisco Civil Service Commission, and Chairman of the San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee and co-emcee for the evening, said that  “Aside from concelebrating three significant anniversaries- this event takes on even greater dimension in that it marks the very first time that our Filipino American community will hold a black-tie gala and formal dinner at the magnificent Rotunda of the beautiful Beaux Arts structure that is San Francisco’s City Hall.  The venue itself makes a statement as to the “arrival” of Filipinos and Filipino Americans within the corridors of power in this great country. “

In the Philippines, Rizal’s sesquicentennial and the 113th Independence has this theme: “Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan at Kalayaan 2011: Paninindigan ng Bayan” (Rizal: Pillar of the Nation, and Independence 2011: The Nation’s Resolve). Philippine Consul General in San Francisco, Marciano Paynor, Jr. commented that “Indeed, Dr. Rizal’s courage and martyrdom served as the pillar of the nation and the ultimate catalyst that spurred the Filipinos to take a stand (Panindigan) and proclaim independence from a foreign oppressor.”

Congen Paynor “urge the Filipino Americans today to steel their resolve and make a stand, individually and collectively, as they find their rightful place in their adopted homeland of America.”

Normandy, Logistics and Program Chair, also added that “The evening’s program will feature segments that each relate to the three milestones celebrated at the Gala:  “ROOTS” which speaks to Philippine bonds with its Asian neighbors as well as to Spain and Mexico, “HEROES” which links the lives and martyrdoms of national heroes Jose Rizal and Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, and “BRIDGES” which highlights the partnership between San Francisco and Manila.  Tying all the segments together will be performances by dance troupes, a world-renowned choral group and solo singers who run the gamut from opera to pop.”

Special guest of honor is Mona Pasquil, the first woman of Philippine ancestry to hold the post of Lt. Governor of the State of California.  She currently is Governor Jerry Brown’s Cabinet Secretary in charge of identifying, vetting and nominating persons to serve within the Brown administration.

In attendance at the gala will be Bay Area movers and shakers, Filipino American and mainstream alike, joined by public officials, members of the international Consular Corps, and Philippine industrialists who have hosted many Mayor-led cutural and trade missions of the SF-Manila Sister City Committee.

Al Perez, Chair of the con-celebration thanks ConGen Paynor “for his vision and passion to bring together members and leaders of the Filipino American community from all around the Bay Area. As committee chair, I am proud to see many community leaders collaborating and working together for the first time. It’s awesome to see the wealth of expertise from our community and to combine our best practices together to make this celebration an event that we all can be proud of.  It really goes to show the remarkable things our community can do when we join forces and collaborate together.”

Sponsors of the Philippine heritage celebration include AT&T, US Bank, Ramar Foods, Chevron, Comcast, Philippine Airlines, Family Homes Inc., Farmers Insurance, Waterfront Container, Kaiser Permanente, Maya Escudero & Nick Selby, VuQo, Corte Riva Wines, Xoom, and Inquirer.net.

For ticket information, please contact Letty Quizon at [email protected] or Marife Sevilla at [email protected], or [email protected].