Fil-Ams take over Madison Avenue to celebrate PH Independence Day

PIDCI president Fe Martinez, Mrs. Eleanor de Leon, Consul General De Leon, Ambassador and Mrs. Cuisia, Ambassador and Mrs. Cabactulan at the flag-raising ceremony

NEW YORK—The celebration of Philippine Independence in New York City — touted as the biggest independence day gathering outside of Filipinos outside the Philippines — came early this year as thousands of community members who live in the northeastern United States gathered along Madison Avenue Sunday, June 3.

Traditionally held every first Sunday of June, the Philippine Independence Day commemoration is organized by the Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. (PIDCI), a duly-registered non-profit organization in New York.

The PIDCI, with its wide membership from other states in the east coast, holds various Independence Day commemorative activities in New York, highlighted by the whole day parade and festival.

The Philippine Consul General in New York serves as PIDCI’s Honorary Adviser.

This year marks the 10th year of PIDCI’s incorporation, making the celebration of the 114th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence doubly significant.

With the theme: “Ikarangal ang Pilipino: Dakilang Bayani ng Mundo” (Honoring the Global Filipino Hero), the day’s events served to highlight the many contributions of Filipino-Americans to the communities they left behind in the Philippines, the communities where they are now situated in the US, and the greater American society.

The day’s festivities commenced with a flag-raising ceremony in front of the Philippine Center in New York. The ceremony was attended by Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Mrs. Vicky Cuisia; Consul General Mario de Leon and Mrs. Eleanor de Leon; Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York Libran Cabactulan and Mrs. Fe Cabactulan; PIDCI 2012 President Fe S. Martinez, PIDCI 2012 Grand Marshal Dr. Prospero Lim, Deputy Consul General and PCMB Manager Theresa de Vega; PIDCI officers, former presidents, and grand marshals, such as Ms. Loida Nicolas Lewis.

The flag-raising ceremony was followed by the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day Mass at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center. The mass was officiated by Msgr. Oscar Aquino, who in his homily, exhorted the Filipino Community to continue to pray for the Philippines at this crucial time when the country is making significant strides towards sustainable progress.

Before the end of the mass, Consul General de Leon thanked all the PIDCI coordinators and mass volunteers and introduced a short video message from President Benigno S. Aquino III.

After a traditional Filipino breakfast, the opening ceremony for the Annual Philippine Independence Day Grand Parade took place a few blocks east of the Philippine Center, on Madison Avenue and 38th Street.

In his remarks delivered at the parade review stand, Cuisia congratulated PIDCI and the entire Filipino-American Community in the Northeast for organizing another successful Philippine Independence Day celebration. He cited the commitment and dedication of all the participants and urged the second generation of Filipino-Americans to become more involved in community initiatives and advocacies.

The Parade Route traversed Madison Avenue from 38th to 26th Streets. Over 128 different groups including Filipino Community groups, Filipino businesses, marching bands, and 12 floats participated in the parade. This was one of the longest PIDCI parades in recent years with a large number of participating groups. Many of the floats and open cars sported the new Philippine Tourism banner and logo “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

The parade culminated with a giant Philippine Human Flag put together by Gawad Kalinga (GK) led by GK Founder Tony Meloto and GK volunteers.

The US Pinoys for Good Governance prepared a colorful float depicting the Chinese imperial dragon being captured and brought to the UN International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for intruding into Philippine territory of the Panatag Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands. The US Pinoys for Good Governance advocacy group led by philanthropist Loida Lewis and NY chapter leader Joe Ramos organized the street drama with 30 supporters during the parade. Performing the drama on the float were artists from the Ma-Yi Theater group directed by Jorge Ortoll. The activists marched in their yellow T-shirts chanted  “Mabuhay Pilipinas!” along the 12-block parade route.

Celebrities and performers such as Dingdong Dantes, Aljur Abrenica, Rachelle Ann Go, Filipino-American Broadway star Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Bessie Badilla, Beth Tamayo, and PIDCI’s beauty title holders all graced the parade.

The parade was followed by a Cultural Festival at the corner of Madison Avenue and 23rd St featuring local Filipino-American talents, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, GMA 7 Pinoy TV Talents, and ended with a special performance by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers.

Throughout the day, a Pinoy Street Fair, with Philippine cuisine, items, and products on sale, was held along Madison Ave from 26th to 24th Streets. Both the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) participated with information booths at the Street Fair.