27 June 2013 – The annual Philippine-American Friendship Day Parade and Festival organized by the Philippine American Friendship Committee (PAFCOM) based in Jersey City again drew enthusiastic crowds on June 23.

The event takes place yearly in Jersey City, New Jersey, home to one of the largest concentrations of Filipino-Americans in the US Northeast.

The 2013 parade was opened by distinguished guests including New Jersey State Senator Barbara Buono, Philippine Consul General and Mrs. Mario L. de Leon, Jr., Jersey City Mayor-elect and Honorary Parade Grand Marshal Steven Fulop, newly re-elected Filipino-American Councilman Rolando Lavarro, 2013 Grand Marshal Cora Reyes, past Grand Marshals and Parade Chairs. This year’s event was overseen by PAFCOM Overall Chair Edwin Solano and officers and board members of the one of the most active organizations in the Tri-State area.

The Friendship Day parade traditionally takes place towards the end of June, close to the date of Philippine-American Friendship Day on July 04. It celebrates and strengthens the deep, historic ties which bind the two countries. It is also an occasion to pay tribute to the contributions of the Filipino-American community to mainstream US society.

This year’s parade featured marchers, organizations, parade titleholders, and performers from different parts of the US Northeast along with a cultural show with local talents and guest artists from the media sponsor GMA Pinoy TV.

The show takes place at Lincoln Park where a Festival of Philippine cuisine, products and services is also held for guests.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York was among the groups which took part in the Parade. END