PAFCOM Grand Parade and Festival, June 26
26 July 2016 - The Philippine Consulate General New York, led by Consul General Mario L. de Leon Jr, joined 60 Filipino-American community organizations that participated in the 26th Annual Grand Parade and Festival organized by the Philippine American Friendship Committee, Inc. (PAFCOM) on June 26. The event started with a mass at the Our Lady of Victory Church in Jersey City, followed by the grand parade from West Side Avenue to Lincoln Park in Jersey City. The whole day affair, which was attended by around 15,000 people, concluded in Lincoln Park with a festival and popular entertainment graced by famous young artists from the Philippines.
In his remarks, Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. expressed appreciation to the government of Jersey City, headed by Mayor Steven Fulop, for the support and friendship to the Filipino community in Jersey City in the celebration of Philippine American Friendship Day, which annually takes place between the Philippine and US Independence Day. The Consul General and the Mayor, together with the PAFCOM President Ledy Almadin and the 2016 Grand Marshall Gwen de Vera, led the ribbon cutting ceremony marking the start of the parade.
The Consul General also recognized the presence of the elected Filipino-Americans in New Jersey who have further elevated the profile of the Filipinos in New Jersey led by Council President Rolando Lavarro of Jersey City, Councilmen Arvin Amatorio of Bergenfield, and Jonathan Wong of Mahwah. The Hudson County Freeholders, Tony Romano and Bill O’Dea as well as some members of the Board of Education of Jersey City were likewise in attendance, symbolizing the wide recognition of the Filipino community’s emergence by American elected officials.
The Consul General further stated that 2016 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the United States, underscoring that the US still remains one of the Philippines’ biggest allies in terms of trade, defense and education, and espousing civil liberties.
“We appreciate the benefits that our Filipino-American brothers and sisters enjoy from their second home, at the same time giving valuable contribution to their motherland, and the society that has welcomed them,” he added.
Mayor Steven Fulop, for his part, acknowledged the visibility of the Filipino-American community in Jersey City and recognized its significant role in the cultural and economic development, not only of the city but the whole of New Jersey.
Queens Borough Philippine American Friendship Day, June 21
Earlier on 21 June, four Filipino-American community organizations joined Queens Borough officials in the celebration of Philippine-American Friendship Day held at the Queens Borough Hall. The event, which was co-organized by The Foundation for Filipino Artists, (FFAI), United Staffing Registry, Inc., Kinding Sindaw Melayu Heritage Foundation and the Batangas Varsitarian, was sponsored by Ms. Melinda Katz, President of Queens Borough, City of New York.
Ms. Katz acknowledged that Queens is the most diverse county in America which she said has so many amazing cultural organizations and events. President Katz, whose leadership continue to keep the Borough’s lines open to the Filipino community, also recognized the business and civic contributions made by the Filipino-American community in Queens. She conferred Citations of Honor to five community leaders for their leadership and involvement in the cross-cultural and political activities in the area. The recipients were Dr. Emerson Ea, Yolanda de La Cruz Gallagher, Romaine de Guzman, Steven Raga and Floremar Sakai Shaatal.
In his remarks, Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. said that Queens is home to the largest Filipino community in the whole of New York, 46,000 of them. He further called on the community to help send an elected Filipino representative to the Borough Council. He announced the plan of a 2nd generation Filipino leader Steven Raga to run for an elected position in Queens to help push the community’s interests in the City and mainstream American society. END