05 June 2015 – Days before the 27th Independence Day Parade in New York, the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) brought the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) to the second ConGen Press Hour last June 02 at the Kalayaan Hall Annex, for PIDCI to promote the parade and to address organizational matters.
Philippine Consul General Mario De Leon stressed in his opening remarks that, as part of its Public Diplomacy efforts, the Consulate maintains its cooperation with the Fil-Am Press Club (FAPCNY), their co-host for the ConGen Press Hour. ConGen stressed that the media are the Consulate’s interlocutors and their natural partners in educating, enlightening and engaging the Filipino community.
Consul General De Leon welcomed PIDCI to the discussion and explained its relationship with the Consulate and how, in the past, the Consulate had once held the responsibility of organizing the biggest Philippine Independence Day parade outside the home country.
PIDCI Parade Grand Marshal Atty. Ruben Seguritan shared the history of PIDCI, which was incorporated in the 1990s. He noted that the Parade had three major objectives: one, to honor our forefathers who fought for our freedom; two, showcase our heritage and culture; and three, affirm our strength and solidarity as a nation.
PIDCI President Fe Martinez presented a “teaser” of Parade day, which she said would include guest celebrities, artists and government officials from the Philippines to join the Filipino community and local New Yorkers on June 07.
During the open forum, the PIDCI Executive Board and Parade Committee addressed questions from the FAPCNY about the preparations for the parade, such as budget and sources of funds; transparency in their operations, working on the Parade theme, among others. Atty. Seguritan also had the opportunity to explain how organizing the Parade would give PIDCI more exposure to the public.
Consul General De Leon, in his closing remarks, noted the importance of having a dialogue with the community.
The Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc, is an umbrella organization of Filipino American associations based in the East Coast, principally dedicated to promoting history, cultural heritage and traditions of the Filipino people through the celebration of Philippine Independence Day in New York. PIDCI is run by hundreds of volunteer officers and members working throughout the year on raising funds, planning and organizing the biggest Philippine Independence Day Parade outside the Philippines. END