To jumpstart the celebrations, an ecumenical prayer was led by Pastor Wendell Aquino of the Lifeway Full Gospel Church Ltd., followed by a Catholic mass concelebrated by Reverend Bishop John Tong of the Hong Kong Catholic Church, Fr. Emil Lim , SVD, and Fr. Alfredo Rollon, SVD, of the Chaplaincy of Migrant Workers.
Consul General Claros Cristobal, together with Deputy Consul General Kira Christianne Danganan-Azucena and Labor Attaché Romulo Salud welcomed the crowd by reading the messages from President Benigno S. Aquino III, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.
In cooperation with the Filipino organizations in Hong Kong, a competition was held, which aimed to showcase Filipino talents not only in dancing and singing but also in the arts.
Of 12 participating amateur artists, three were chosen winners who best represented the themes Lakbay ng Kalayaan and Kalayaan, Paninindigan ng Bayan.
A cultural show featured colorful traditional dance performances from the Philippines by Hong Kong overseas Filipino workers (OFW) organizations such as Adibay Dance, Sapatya, Kakawati, Visayan Surtido, Tinikling, Carinosa, Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Cordirella Coursthip Dance, Manobo Dance, Singkil, and La Jota Moncadena.
Six OFW organizations participated in the choral competition featuring Filipino songs such as Kalesa, Pagbabalik, Bagong Lipunan, Bayan Ko, Malaya Ka Pilipino, and Tagumpay Nating Lahat. Three groups were later announced as winners.
PIDOC's special guest from the Philippines, Folklorico Ti La Union, performed a four-part production number beginning with different dances from the Cordilleras, Bailes de Ayer (Spanish-influenced dances), the Palakaya and the Anchor line songs.
The youth from different sectors also performed. Sisters Renee and Allyson Yeh performed a violin rendition of Bayan Ko, and the Hong Kong Association of the Deaf did an interpretative dance of The Carpenters hit, Top of the World.
Tara Banta and Hong Kong X Factor Champion Margaret Ortega both performed song numbers. The Consulate General was represented by Samantha Celis and the PCG Kiddie Group, who danced to the Ilocano Surtido.
Various companies representing the tourism, airline, media, logistics, estate, food, finance, telecommunications, and manufacturing industries showcased their services to the public.
Filipino permanent residents married to nationals of various countries participated in the Global Pinoy Village, which featured various games, gimmicks, prizes, and giveaways.
The historical floats were the biggest draw in the Independence Day rites depicting key historical events of the Philippines.
The OFW organizations were given a free hand to design their own floats.
Among the historical events depicted were the Introduction of Islam, the Battle of Mactan, the Blood Compact, the Reign of Sultan Kudarat, Diego and Gabriela Silang, Gomburza, Andres Bonifacio and the KKK, Rizal's Martyrdom, Agoncillo and the Philippine Flag, Aguinaldo and the First Republic, the Commonwealth, the Death March, the Leyte Landing, Pres. Magsaysay and the Fall of the Huks, the Rise of Nationalism, Martial Law, People Power, PH-MNLF Peace Process, OFWs and Philippine Economy, and the 2010 Filipino Community in Hong Kong.
The three groups who were eventually given the top awards were from Lakbay Dangal's Sewing of the National Flag at first place, Laguna Achievers Workers Association portrayal of Dr. Jose Rizal's Martyrdom at second, and third place was awarded to the Mindanao Alliance's Sultan Kudarat.
For the first time, Filipino professional performers from Hong Kong Disneyland performed various song-and-dance numbers, while the Wendy Robin Band closed the program with their performance
The PIDOC was elected by members of the Filipino community on February 27. They are composed of Mr. Nazzer Ampang (Chairperson and Coordinator for Overall Program, Booth and Sponsorship), Soosot Zerrudo (Vice-Chairperson and Coordinator for Booth, Finance, Sponsorship and Media), Medie Borlaza (Secretary and Coordinator for Karosa, Filcom Line and Cultural Parade), Walter Melicor (Member and Coordinator for Program, Karosa, Sponsorship and Cultural performances), Tess Domdom (Member and Coordinator for Interfaith, Mass, poster competition and choir competition), Feng Mendoza (Member and Coordinator for Food and T-shirt distribution), and Joseph Bautista (Member and Coordinator for Marshals and medical teams). The Philippine Bankers Club acted as the Treasury, and the Cultural Section of the Consulate assisted as Secretariat. END
