Pennsylvania Celebrates Philippine Independence Day
Consul General Dizon-De Vega joins Filipino community members on board the USS Olympia, Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia
19 June 2017 NEW YORK — Filipino-Americans together with the Philippine Consulate General and local officials commemorated Philippine Independence at events in Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey this month.
On June 03, the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia (FECGP) spearheaded a Philippine flag-raising and program commemorating the Battle of Manila Bay on board the USS Olympia currently docked at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia. The Olympia, commissioned from 1895-1922 saw action in the Battle of Manila Bay as the flagship vessel of Commodore George Dewey during the Spanish-American War.
Present at the USS Olympia were Pennsylvania officials including Philadelphia Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez who read a Council Proclamation honoring Philippine Independence Day, Commissioner John Chin, Mr. Sonny Busa of the Filipino Veterans Research Project, and officials of the Seaport Museum, along with the Filipino-American community.
Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega called on the Filipino-American Community to engage the next generation of Filipino-Americans to know more about their history, heritage, and the ties which link the Philippines and the United States.
On June 10, the FECGP also organized the annual Philippine Independence Day commemoration of the Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Community with a solemn flag-raising and floral offering at the Rizal Monument and the Death March Monument located in Cooper River Park, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The ceremony was followed by a cultural show and picnic.
The event was witnessed by various officials led by Congressman Donald Norcross of the 1st Congressional District of New Jersey. Representative Norcross presented to the Filipino Community a Proclamation for Philippine Independence Day.
Consul General Theresa De Vega likewise expressed her thanks to the officials of the various counties in the greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey area for honoring the contributions of the Filipino-American community.
Over 600 Filipinos, including second generation student organizations gathered to celebrate Philippine heritage, culture, and history.
For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.dfa.gov.ph / www.newyorkpcg.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHConsulateNY. END
Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega with officials of the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia and local officials (photos by NYPCG)