pressrelease - New York, PCG

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL NEW YORK
PRESS RELEASE
PR-MDL-60-13
03 June 2013-MTDizondeVega
Several Firsts Mark 2013 Philippine Independence Day Parade in New York
03 June 2013, New York – The streets of Manhattan reverberated with the sounds,
sights, colors, and spirit of the Philippines as the annual Philippine Independence Day
Parade once again took over the heart of New York City. Over 100 associations, groups
and artists joined the 2013 Parade
The 2013 Independence Day event traditionally held on the first Sunday of June took
place on June 2 with a parade along the length of Madison Avenue from 38th to 24th
streets. The whole-day events are organized by the Philippine Independence Day
Council Inc. (PIDCI) with the support of the Philippine Consulate General in New York.
Many firsts marked this year’s parade which saw a record attendance with thousands of
spectators clogging the sidewalks along the parade route.
For the first time in parade history, three major Philippine-based media networks, ABCCBN-TFC, GMA and TV5 all took part in the Parade and Cultural Show. The networks
brought top Filipino artists Sharon Cuneta, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Gary
Valenciano, Aga Muhlach, Derek Ramsay, Marianne Rivera, and Rafael Rosell. They
were also joined by up and coming singer Julie Ann San Jose. The last time the three
major networks were part of one event was during a tribute to late Philippine comedian
Dolphy.
The Philippine Department of Tourism was also a major sponsor of this year’s parade
with a huge float promoting Philippine tourism and festivals as well as a double-decker
tourist bus emblazoned with images from the popular “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”
campaign.
The Tourism Department likewise brought back to New York Iloilo City’s award-winning
Dinagyang Street Dancers as one of the highlights of the parade and cultural show. The
Dinagyang group came fresh from its third consecutive victory in the Philippine national
“Festival of Festivals” Aliwan Fiesta Street Dancing competition. The group graced the
2011 Parade which also saw a record number of spectators.
A pair of higantes depicting Dr. Jose Rizal and Teodora Alonzo, specially created by
artist Peter Paul Blanco of the famous Blanco Family of artist with the Association of
Filipino Teachers in America (AFTA), the Foundation for Filipino Artists Inc., and the
Philippine Consulate led the Philippine Government offices contingent composed of the
Philippine Consulate General, Philippine Mission to the UN and the Philippine Center
Management Board at the parade.
Leading this year’s parade were special guests re-elected Senator Francis “Chiz”
Escudero, Ms. Heart Evangelista, Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr., Philippine
Ambassador the United Nations in New York Libran Cabactulan, DOT Undersecretary
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Tel. No. (212) 764-1330
www.newyorkpcg.org
Teresa Martinez, and the first-Fil-Am Federal District Judge Lorna Schofield. On hand to
welcome the guests were two-term PIDCI President Fe Martinez, 2013 Grand Marshal
Dr. Rebecca Rivera, past PIDCI Presidents and Grand Marshals including the first ever
Grand Marshal and financial expert Lilia Calderon Clemente. The Office of New York
Governor Andrew Cuomo was represented by NY Power Authority CEO and President
Fil-Am Gil Quinones. Hawaii State Legislator Rida T. Cabanilla, another special guest,
marched with the Ilocano Association
Mr. Quinones read a special message from the New York Governor’s Office at the
Parade Reviewing Stand. The Office of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
likewise issued a Special Proclamation honoring the Filipino-American Community of
New York on the occasion of the commemoration of the 115th Anniversary of the
proclamation of Philippine Independence.
The days events started with a Flag Raising Ceremony at the Lobby of the Philippine
Center in New York, followed by a Thanksgiving Mass officiated by Msgr . Oscar Aquino
with Fr. Neil Villaviza and Fr. Patrick Longalong.
The Parade was followed by a Cultural Show at Madison Avenue and 24th St featuring
the different Philippine network artists, a special segment with the Dinagyang Festival
Dancers, Broadway Barkada and other local talents.
Guests from all over the Tri-State area, the Northeast and as far away as Maryland and
Virginia came to watch the show and to visit the different booths selling Philippine food
and items.
The DOT had its own It’s More Fun in the Philippines Photo booth while the Philippine
Consulate had an information booth shared for the first time with the Filipino-American
Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF) and the Damayan Advocacy Group for
Domestic Workers. END
L-R PIDCI President Fe Martinez welcomes artists from TV5 Sharon Cuneta, Aga Muhlach &
Derek Ramsay with TV5 CEO Ito Ramirez and Consul General Mario L. de Leon on the eve of
the parade; Flag Ceremony at the Philippine Center with special guests led by Sen. Francis
Escudero
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Tel. No. (212) 764-1330
www.newyorkpcg.org
L-R Msgr. Oscar Aquino with Fr. Neil Villaviza & Fr. Patrick Longalong at the Thanksgiving Mass
at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center New York
L-R Sen. Escudero addresses the gathering after the Mass; Consul General de Leon delivers a
message at Kalayaan Hall; Ribbon-cutting ceremony with Sen. Escudero, Rep. Lani MercadoRevilla, New York Power Authority CEO Gil Quinones, Grand Marshall Dr. Rebecca Rivera,
Consul General de Leon, Amb Libran Cabactulan and Ms. Heart Evangelista
L-R Higantes specially designed and made by Filipino artist Peter Paul Blanco with assistance
from the Association of Filipino Teachers in America (AFTA) and NYPCG; Philippine Consulate
General Staff led by Deputy Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Tel. No. (212) 764-1330
www.newyorkpcg.org
L-R Philippine Mission to the UN in NY; Philippine Center Management Board Staff
L-R Float of Diwa ng Kalayaan Beauties led by Diwa ng Kalayaan 2013 Kristine Liwag; Float of
GMA Pinoy TV with Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Marianne Rivera and Rafael Rosell
L-R Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue (FIND) and their Human Philippine Flag; Stilt
walkers at the parade
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Tel. No. (212) 764-1330
www.newyorkpcg.org
The Dinagyan Festival dancers are welcomed in NY by Consul General de Leon, DOT
Undersecretary Teresa Martinez, PIDCI President Fe Martinez, Grand Marshal Dr. Rivera, Mrs.
Eleanor de Leon and DCG Tess Dizon-de Vega; Dinagyang Dancers in action along Madison
Ave
L-R Bacolod’s Maskara dancers; Double-decker bus sports the It’s More Fun in the Philippines
logo
L-R DOT’s festive It’s More Fun Float ; TV 5’s float with Aga Muhlach, Sharon Cuneta, and Derek
Ramsay
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Tel. No. (212) 764-1330
www.newyorkpcg.org
L-R Mr. Gary Valenciano with son Gabe Valenciano perform before a packed crowd at the
Cultural Show; DCG Dizon-de Vega, Ms. Martinez, Consul General De Leon and Grand Marshal
Dr. Rebecca Rivera present a special proclamation from NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Tel. No. (212) 764-1330
www.newyorkpcg.org