Dinagyang dancers to hit NY streets for PH Independence fest

NEW YORK–Iloilo City’s award-winning Dinagyang Street Dancers will return to this city as the highlight of Philippine Independence Day celebration set for Sunday, June 2, the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) announced.

The group will come fresh from their third consecutive victory in the Philippine national “Festival of Festivals” Aliwan Fiesta Street Dancing, with a million-peso championship prize.

The last time the Dinagyang Street Dancers graced the Philippine Independence Day festivity in New York was in 2011, under the auspices of then-PIDCI-President Joji Jalandoni. Their distinctive Dinagyang sound and spectacle rocked and reverberated in Manhattan’s high rise glass and concrete canyons, electrifiying the Filipino and mainstream crowds, which swelled to a record 100,000 people.

Also on tap for this year’s celebration are the traditional trio of major events:  the all-day Independence Day Street Fair, the Independence Day Parade led by Grand Marshal Dr. Rebecca Castro Rivera and the Cultural Festival.

Stars and celebs

Along with the  Dinagyang Street Dancers are appearances and performances by Philippine movie stars and celebrities: Aga Muhlach, Sharon Cuneta, Derek Ramsey, Gary Valenciano, Marian Rivera, Rafael Rosell and Bong Revilla, among others, who will be brought into the celebrations courtesy of the three leading Philippine TV networks, GMA, ABS-CBN-TFC and TV5.  The Dinagyang Street Dancers are appearing through another partner/sponsor arrangement between PIDCI and the Philippine Department of Tourism in promoting their “It’s more fun in the Philippines” tourism campaign.

Leading the parade awith other especially invited guests are re-elected Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who will be accompanied by Heart Evangelista, Senator Bong Revilla, two-term PIDCI President Fe Martinez and Philippine Consul General in New York Ambassador Mario Lopez  de Leon, Jr.

Floats and beauties

Riding a float will be this year’s “Mrs. Kalayaan” Rose Pacia Labelle, and her court:  first runner-up Filipino-American Ernestine Hollins; second runner-up Mrs. Kalayaan Philippines Leila Fernandez Morales; Mrs. Kalayaan Luzon Jeanette Corpus;Mrs. Kalayaan Visayas Josephine Guarana; and Mrs. Kalayaan Mindanao Susan Tobias.

Bringing up the rear of the parade, on their own special float are this year’s “Diwa ng Kalayaan” beauties, led by the titleholder, 18-year-old Kristine Liwag of New Jersey. She will be joined by first runner-up Miss Filipino-American Riana Aldana, second runner-up Hiyas ng Pilipinas Camille Jessica Cunanan,  Bituin ng Luzon Allysson M. Prada,  Bituin ng Visayas Judith Ashley Quilapio and Bituin ng Mindanao Kirsten Claire Fernandez.

New York’s annual commemoration has grown dramatically from its inception in 1990 and is known as the largest celebration of Philippine Independence outside of the Philippines. Before the record crowd two years ago, attendance usually peaked at 70,000 revelers.

Schedule of events

The Independence Day celebration opens with an 8:00 a.m. flag ceremony at the Philippine Center at 556 Fifth Avenue, between 45th and 46th Street in Manhattan, followed by a Mass of Independence at the Kalayaan Hall on the second floor of the center.

The Street Fair opens at 10:00 a.m. on Madison Avenue from 24th to 26th streets with a full-blown Filipino food festival on the east side of the Avenue, and corporate and merchants’ booths on the West side.  The parade opens with brief ceremonies on Madison Avenue directly above 39th Street, and at 12:00 noon marchers, bands and floats will start passing a reviewing stand on the east side of the Avenue between 30th and 29th Streets before turning off onto 27th Street for dispersal.

At about 2:00 p.m., the Cultural Festival opens on an open-air stage set up on one side of the Avenue just north of 23rd Street.

For information, to participate or for any questions regarding the Independence Day events please call President Fe Martinez (973) 222-0085, Vice President Elvira Reyes (551) 208-4986, Secretary Joyce Castillo (848) 467-0269, Treasurer Violeta McGough ((201) 707-8152, or any member of the Board of Directors:  Jesse Arteche (908) 482-1398,  Albert Diala (347) 260-8063, Dora Koltsidis (617) 637-5947, Ner Martinez (347) 837-5853, Angie Molina (718) 857-2901, Maryann Sanagustin (908) 456-7063, Aristides Uy (347) 749-2022, Vivian Velasco (917) 623-3827, Margie Wisotsky (347) 306-7707;  or Gheng Pingol (917) 669-0505.

Meanwhile, the Independence Ball is scheduled at the Grand Ballroom of the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe Hotel at 100 Frank W. Burr Boulevard in Teaneck, New Jersey 07666-6796 on Saturday, June 8, 2013 from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.  For information or invitations, please call Committee Chair Margie Wisotsky at (347) 306-7707 or Angie Molina at (718) 857-2901, or PIDCI President Fe Martinez at (973) 222-0085 or any member of the PIDCI Board of Directors.