Coming together in celebration of Philippine heritage

Photo by Pixelcreations/Joshua Machacon

SAN FRANCISCO, California—In years past, as part of the annual Philippine Independence Day celebration, Filipino community leaders and the Philippine Consul General in the Bay Area were invited to the San Francisco’s City Hall for the simple ceremony of unfurling the Philippine flag at the mayor’s balcony. But last Sunday, June 12, 2011, was different.

That day was a red carpet moment for the Filipinos and their guests because it was a concelebration of the 113th Philippine Independence, the 150th Birthday of National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and the 50th Anniversary of the San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee. Thus, not only was the Philippine flag together with the US flag displayed prominently, the magnificent City Hall Rotunda was awash with the colors of the flag.

Some forty white-linen covered dining tables for 10 were laid out at the foot of the grand staircases with more arrayed upstairs along the balcony, each table adorned with a centerpiece vase holding violets and roses abloom in luscious red, and yellow.

Over five hundred graced the first ever Filipino gala. Filipina ladies displayed finely embroidered ternos, Maria Claras, sayas, and paynetas (intricate hair combs). A few wore authentic native attire while the men came dressed in tuxedos or elegant Barong Tagalogs.

Twenty-one California elected officials headed by California State Senator Leland Yee, California Pro Temp Fiona Ma, Mayor Lee, and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, city supervisors, mayors and commissioners were in attendance. Two dozen more government appointees were on hand to celebrate and honor their Filipino constituents and Consuls General and heads of mission from nine countries came to pay homage.

The presence of many elected officials and several mayoral candidates “signaled the important recognition of what Filipino Americans have achieved in this City’s multicultural society, continuing on to a true and deeper appreciation of Philippine Heritage,” commented Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr.

Paynor added that the successful event “realized and furthered the potential of the community to join hands in a one common collaborative effort, which sets a template for future unified endeavors.”

San Francisco Mayor, Edwin Lee said he was honored that this momentous celebration of Philippine Heritage occurred during his term.

The organizing committee only had five short months to put the celebration together. Logistics was tough since City Hall had limited space to accommodate hundreds of people. In the end, the evening’s program and dinner came off with flying colors, thanks to the unselfish collaboration of many organizations from all parts of the Bay Area from Vallejo to San Jose, and from professional, and non-profit organizations like the Filipino American Law Enforcement Organization (FALEO) to the San Francisco Filipino American Chamber of Commerce, Filipino Women’s Network, Bayanihan Resource Center, Thomasian USA, Young Filipino Professional Associations, the PhilAm Press Club, Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California, Westbay Pilipino Multi-Service Center, Autism Hearts Foundation, ABS-CBN Foundation International, Filipino American Arts Expositions, Filipino Professional and Businessmen’s Association, Lions Clubs International, National Federation of Filipino American Associations, Philippine International Aid, Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, and the Pilipino American Heritage Corporation.

The evening’s guest of honor was Mona Pasquil, former Acting California Attorney General and now Governor Jerry Brown’s Director of Official appointments.

Highlights of the evening’s program were the a capella rendition of the US and Philippine anthems as sung by the world-acclaimed UP Madrigal singers who graciously took a break from their scheduled concerts, the majestic and colorful “Singkil” done innovatively up and down the grand staircase of the Rotunda, and the dramatic recitation of Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios” in Spanish and English by Edwin Lozada.

This was followed by tenor Leon Palad’s rendition of the “Impossile Dream” which brought tears to many eyes and drew a standing ovation. The finale was Mitch Franco’s cool, upbeat song “Come Fly with Me” which tied neatly into the theme of the Filipinos’ journey and coming together and celebrating Philippine heritage, their roots and their heroes and the bridges linking them to distant shores and creating lasting friendships between nations.

The Philippine Consulate General’s staff, the Department of Tourism and Department of Trade and Industry did an outstanding job of hosting the event and together and with the Sister City Committee, headed by Dennis Nomandy, and Al Perez, chair of the community event, wrapped up the concelebrated event into an evening to remember. It bodes well as the start of an annual celebration that honors the Filipino people and their place in the world in the manner they so deserve.

“The gala showcased the richness of our heritage, paid tribute to the important highlights of Philippine history and recognized the skill and talent of our artists, both from the Philippines and the local Filipino Americans in an important venue, in the presence of elected and appointed officials and other movers and shakers from American mainstream society. This.” said Paynor, “is some measure of success.”

Photos by Martin Aurelio and Joshua Machacon (Pixelcreations)