04 July 2014 - The Filipino-American community in New Jersey celebrated ties to their heritage and new home on two events celebrated after Philippine Independence Day and before the 4th of July.

The Philippine American Friendship Committee (PAFCOM) held the annual PAFCOM Parade last June 22 in Jersey City. It is the biggest festival of the Filipino community in New Jersey (NJ). New Jersey Mayor Steven Fulop, along with the NJ City Council led by Council President Rolando Lavarro, and Hudson County Freeholder and Honorary Grand Marshall Bill O’Dea joined in the festivities beginning with an interfaith service in the morning, followed by a parade along Claremont Avenue in the West Side and culminated in an all-day street fair in Lincoln Park.

Philippine Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr. graced the occasion and addressed the community, highlighted the recent updates in Philippine-US relations, citing the visit of President Barack Obama to the Philippines in April.  He mentioned developments such as the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, the upgrade of the Philippines to a Category 1 aviation safety status, and the removal of the Philippines in the US’ Copyright Protection Enforcement Watch List.  He acknowledged PAFCOM President Mario Garcia and Grand Marshalls Dr. Edgar and Mrs. Mary Jane Lerias for keeping the Filipino-American tradition alive and leading the community in uplifting the presence of Filipinos in New Jersey.

The Bayanihan Club of Union led by President Ruben Amarante organized a flag-raising ceremony on June 29 in front of the Municipal Hall of Union Township. Philippine Consul General De Leon joined the Filipino community along with Deputy Mayor Manuel Figueiredo, Assemblyman for Bergen County Joe Cryan, and Union County Councilman Joseph Florio in a symbolic event that included a handover of a Proclamation honoring the celebration of Philippine Independence in Union County. 

In his speech, Philippine Consul General De Leon acknowledged the big role of the Filipino community of Union during the relief efforts post-Haiyan/Yolanda and thanked Assemblyman Cryan for his initiative in fund-raising projects in his area.

Filipinos form the third largest Asian ethnic group in the state of New Jersey, numbering at around 110,650 as of the 2010 census.  New Jersey has the biggest Filipino community under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in New York.  END