Filipino Community in Philadelphia Celebrates PH Independence Day with Mass
Officers and members of the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia (FECGP) pose for a picture after the Mass. (New York PCG photo)
NEW YORK 18 June 2019 – The Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia (FECGP), the umbrella organization for Filipinos in the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey area, celebrated the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with a Mass at the St. Augustine Church on 09 June 2019.
The mass brought together Filipinos from the surrounding area, filling up the church with the faithful, and singing a rousing rendition of “Bayan Ko” (“My Country”) as the recessional hymn.
In her remarks during the reception that followed the mass, FECGP President Nida Imperial stressed the importance of the community coming together to mark this milestone, and thanked all present for lending their support for the events being held.
Deputy Consul General Kerwin Tate, who represented the Philippine Consulate General in New York during the event, stated that it was fitting that the commemoration should be held in Philadelphia, itself known as the cradle of American Independence, and showing how the peoples of the United States and the Philippines both valued freedom and democratic values, with heroes of the past sacrificing everything so that future generations could live as free people.
The FECG has a series of events slated for the month of June to commemorate Philippine Independence. On 08 June 2019, they organized a community picnic at the Rizal and Bataan Death March monuments in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The FECGP also had a gala in honor of the event on 14 June 2019. END
For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.dfa.gov.ph, www.newyorkpcg.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNY/.