28 July 2015 - Across several generations, Filipinos enjoying the U.S. summer season trooped to Ocean City Boardwalk for the 6th Annual Tribute to the Philippines where Philippine native folk dancers, food and culture were the main attraction in a day-long event. The event was organized by Ocean City, NJ led by Mayor Jay Gilian and his wife Michelle, the Consulate General in New York led by Deputy Consul General Kira Danganan-Azucena, accompanied by Consul Felipe Carino, Cultural Officer Olive Magpile, the Philippine Department of Tourism’s (PDOT) representative Ms. Zen Pallugna, the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, with the participation of Rowan University Filipino-American students and Philippine Mutya Dance Company, and was sponsored by GMA International.
On June 22, Philippine Consul General to New York Mario L. De Leon, Jr., said that the annual Tribute to the Philippines made possible by Ocean City features the best of Filipino culture, cuisine, crafts and services, which promotes a positive image for the country.
On July 18, a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Deputy Consul General Kira Danganan-Azucena and Mr. Mark Soifer of Ocean City as well as Filipino community members and Consulate officials was held in the morning, which was immediately followed by a short program introducing the various participants.
In her remarks, Deputy Consul General Kira Danganan-Azucena thanked Ocean City, members of the media, and Filipino community members who participated in Ocean City’s “Tribute to the Philippines” which also honors the sister city San Jose, Occidental, Mindoro. The Consulate General takes pride in its annual participation in the Tribute that showcases the diversity of taste and sound in Philippine folk dance, cuisine, and artisanal crafts. This annual Tribute reflects on the warmth and hospitality of Filipinos as well as robust relations between the U.S. and Philippines, she added.
She also mentioned that the Philippines has been the favorite lately of international tourists, having been named number 8 out 10 in Lonely Planet’s List of Best in Travel 2015 and Palawan as the Best Island in the World by Conde Nast. The Palawan Underground River has been voted as one of the Eight New Wonders of the World and eight tourist sites are in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Banawe Rice Terraces and Tubbataha Reef, she said.
The cultural presentation began with Rowan University Filipino-American students with a Philippine Folkdance presentation with a modern flair much to the delight of a mixed crowd of Filipinos and Americans.
The Philippine Mutya Dance Company and the Philippine Community of Southern New Jersey and PC Youth, under the auspices of Ms. Imelda Alpas, and Mr. Rey Borres as choreographer, continued to entertain visitors with their colorful costumes and unique rendition of regional folk dance.
A bazaar featuring Philippine food and native crafts was opened at the main Exhibition Hall which opened the whole day. A free medical mission featuring a blood pressure drive was provided by Philippine Nurses Group and volunteers. In addition, the Consulate General and PDOT promoted tourism to the Philippines as well as gave information on consular services and overseas voting registration for Filipinos.
The community cultural presentation was co-organized by Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia President Ms. Ruth Luyun and Ms. Hermie Aczon, as overall coordinator for presentations, and Ms. Lita Abele for Rowan University students.
In the afternoon, a Rock n’Roll performance by the Ready Rockers, featuring Dick Richards, and Filipino-American Mr. Rene Sese, was welcomed by hundreds of visitors who trooped for family-friendly entertainment at the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Since 2010, an annual Tribute to the Philippines, featuring the diversity of Philippine cultural folkdance, local cuisine, services, and native crafts, is held annually in cooperation with Ocean City, Filipino community members and the Consulate General.
On the same afternoon, the New Jersey State Yo-yo Contest, hosted by Air Circus, was held alongside the Tribute to the Philippines. The Yo-yo contest is sanctioned by National Yo-yo League and was held at the Music Pier. END