15 June 2015 – The Filipino-Malaysian community in colorful fiesta-inspired costumes came out in full force and marched and danced along the major thoroughfares of Kuala Lumpur last June 07 in commemoration of the 117th Year Anniversary of Philippine Independence.
Fascinated onlookers and motorists cheered and waved at the parade participants as they traversed the 3.7-kilometer long parade route, which went around the iconic PETRONAS Twin Towers, Malaysia’s most famous landmark.
Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya and his wife, Rena Cristina Koa-Malaya, M.D. led an estimated 2,500 Filipinos and Malaysian at the parade. Singer-comedienne Giselle Sanchez was the parade’s honorary Grand Marshall.
After the parade, the crowd was treated to an afternoon of fun and entertainment at the Embassy grounds, where several Filipino community groups and Ms. Sanchez showcased their talents.
Filipino fiestas and fashion are the centerpieces of this year’s commemoration in Kuala Lumpur with the parade and program dubbed “Fiesta sa Embahada 2015” last Sunday and a fashion show, musical performance, and diplomatic reception on June 12 at the Royal Chulan Hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur.
“For the fourth straight year, we bring the beauty and richness of Philippine culture as we commemorate our nation’s founding. In line with Visit Philippines Year 2015 and Malaysia’s Year of Festivals, we are sharing the Filipino fiesta with Malaysians,” Ambassador Malaya said.
Organizations which joined the parade include Filipino-Malaysian Parade Organizing Committee (FFAM), Union of Filipino Muslims in Malaysia (UMFM), Malaysia Filipino Club, Isabelino Ako, Samahang Impok Bayan, Migrant Workers and Other Filipinos Resource Center Students, Smart Pinoy, SFX, KL Pinoy, GMGI, LBC, Kabisig, Bibak, SMDC, Good News Christian Fellowship, OFW Tambayan, SIM, Philippine Ladies of Kuala Lumpur (PLKL), Filipinos Residing in Malaysia (FRIM), St. John’s Tahanang Filipino, Guardians, FR Gardens, Harley Davidson Motorbikers and Petron.
This year’s parade, the grandest and biggest in its four-year history, was organized with the support of the Federation of Filipino Associations in Malaysia (FFAM) under the leadership of Ms. Menchie Añonuevo.
Corporate sponsors for the commemoration are the Pag-IBIG Fund, PLDT Malaysia/Smart Pinoy, Cebu Pacific, Bank of the Philippine Islands, SM Development Corporation, Petron Malaysia, LBC Cargo, SpeedSend, BDO Remit and UAE Exchange.
The Embassy also hosted an Independence Day reception for the diplomatic corps, senior Malaysian government officials and leading businessmen and women. The reception featured a fashion show of Filipiniana and Filipiniana-inspired couture of Manila-based designer Joel Bautista and accessories by Malaysia-based Filipino Gina Frias-Himpe.
To provide musical entertainment at the reception are flutist Roberto Tarang, violinist Maria Liza Lopez-Tarang and pianist Marius Villaroman, who will fly to Malaysia courtesy of the Philippine National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
“Every year, the Embassy presents an art form to be our showcase for our Independence Day celebrations. After music, visual arts and dance, which were featured in previous years, it is time for Filipino fashion to take center stage in our celebrations,” Ambassador Malaya said.
Lending support to the show and performance are Cebu Pacific and PLDT Malaysia/Smart Pinoy. END