24 June 2016 – The biggest Philippine Independence celebrations outside the Philippines, the annual Independence Parade and Street Fair in Manhattan, New York was held last June 05. Jointly organized by the Philippine Consulate General New York and the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), the events were participated in by thousands of Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike in the US tri-state area.
The day started with a community gathering for the Flag Ceremony at the Philippine Center in the morning. The Knights of Rizal served as the flag bearers, and about 150 people in their fine Filipiniana were in attendance including Philippine Ambassador to United States of America Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Consul General and Madame Mario L. De Leon, Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Lourdes O. Yparraguirre.
A concelebrated thanksgiving mass followed at the Kalayaan Hall, with Monsignor Oscar Aquino as the main celebrant, and Father James Peter Alindogan as homilist.
After the mass, Consul General De Leon then delivered his message on the theme of the year’s Independence celebrations, Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong which he considered “a call to action from the motherland to Unite, Participate, Progress.”
New York Senator Chuck Schumer joined the community breakfast afterwards saying, “The Philippine community is such a strong, vibrant, hardworking, successful community.” New York City Mayor Bill De Balsio through New York Chief Technology Officer Minerva Tantoco issued a Proclamation to the Philippine Consulate and PIDCI honoring the celebration of the Philippine Day Parade.
Despite the rain showers, about 200 organizations proceeded with the Madison Avenue Parade. Headlining the festivities were local and international Filipino celebrities. Philippine Tourism Ambassador Apl.de.Ap arrived in a Sarao Jeepney; KC Concepcion was cheerfully greeting her fans while singing and dancing on top of the Philippine Airlines float; TV5 talents Ogie Alcasid, James Yap, and Yassie Pressman gamely posed for photos; OPM stars Joey Albert, Fe Delos Reyes and The New Minstrels gave the kababayans nostalgia on their 80’s music.
Mayor Jed Mabilog flew all the way from Iloilo with the Tribu Salognon Dance Troupe to perform their Dinagyang street dance to add revelry throughout the parade which ran from 38th to 27th Street. Culminating at the Madison Square Park, Filipino food dotted the corners or the streets, catering to audience who enjoyed the cultural performances from the special guests. END
