pressrelease - New York, PCG

Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines
NEW YORK
PRESS RELEASE
PR-MDL-049-2016
12 June 2016
Filipino-Americans in US Northeast Mark Emergence of Community During
Philippine Independence Celebrations
th
New York Chief Technology Officer Minerva Tantoco (4 from right) presents a Proclamation from Mayor
Bill De Blasio honoring the Philippine Independence Anniversary Celebration. Accepting the Proclamation
were (from Left) Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Lorie Yparraguirre; Madame Eleanor De
Leon; PIDCI Grand Marshalls Ned and Mrs Menchi Pulido; Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia; Consul General
Mario L. De Leon, Jr; Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog; and PIDCI President Pros Lim. (Photo by Boyet Loverita)
NEW YORK, 12 June 2016 – The biggest Philippine Independence celebrations outside
the Philippines, the annual Independence Parade and Street Fair in Manhattan, New
York was held last 5 June. 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 Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia,
Jr., Consul General and Madame Mario L. De Leon, Jr., Philippine Permanent
Representative to the United Nations Lorie 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.”
(L) Mayor Chuck Schumer made it a point to show his support to the Filipino community before the start
of the Parade. (R) Young Filipino-Americans in their colorful regional garb participate in the cultural show.
(Photos courtesy of Boyet Loverita and PIDCI)
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Tel. No.: (+1) 212 7641330 / Fax: (+1) 212-3821146
email: newyork.pcg@dfa.gov.ph
www.newyorkpcg.org
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
Clockwise from top left: Apl De Ap sends cheers to the crowd from the DOT float; Bukidnon Association
performs their regional dance; Ogie Alcasid and Yassie Pressman take a selfie with the audience during
the cultural show; Sinulog dancers bring sunshine to the rainy street parade.
Clockwise from top left: PAL Endorser KC Concepcion is still in high spirits despite the gloomy weather;
Philippine American Association of Connecticut channel their Baguio counterparts for a Panagbenga
parade; The Pampangenos of New York showcase their famous Christmas lanterns in their float; Tribu
Salongon from Iloilo perform the Dinagyang as cultural highlight during the show at Madison Park.
(Photos by Boyet Loverita)
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Tel. No.: (+1) 212 7641330 / Fax: (+1) 212-3821146
email: newyork.pcg@dfa.gov.ph
www.newyorkpcg.org