NEW YORK—This year, New York-based Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in New York, celebrated the 112th commemoration of Philippine Independence. PIDCI, which is concurrently celebrating its 20th year, started the morning with a flag-raising ceremony in front of the Philippine Center along Fifth Avenue. It was followed by a mass celebrated at Kalayaan Hall and a ribbon cutting event that kicked off a parade along Madison Avenue.
The Independence Day Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Oscar Aquino and the vocals were provided by the De La Salle Chorale who traveled from Europe for the festivities. At the end of the mass, Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong was recognized and applauded for her six years of service in New York.
Parade mascot "Haw-haw D Carabao" was one of the highlights of the parade that featured 113 participating groups. Grand Marshals Benjamin and Dr. Zenaida Santos, joined the parade atop a motorized "kalabaw" made from a temporarily converted mini cooper. The parade also featured a mobile "bahay kubo," carried by four men. A large Philippine flag was carried by a 12-person team and encapsulated the idea of "bayanihan."
Rain and wind did not dampen the mood of the crowd who eagerly waited for the performances of Christian Bautista, Sarah Geronimo, and Carlos Orosa. Atty. Michael Gurfinkel facilitated the travel visas for these ABS-CBN stars. The states represented by visitors and participants, included New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland, California, with some people coming from Manila.
2010 PIDCI President Dr. Bernie dela Merced was pleased with the turn-out of the largest Philippine Independence Day celebration outside the Philippines.
"It is a wonderful celebration because it is held right after Memorial Day (known in the US as the official start of summer), and it reminds Filipinos and Americans alike that Filipinos are not the "invisible" minority that we once were. It is also a small celebration of Filipino-Americans in the United States recognizing that we are productive citizens with a rich heritage," he said.
The Philippine Independence Day Celebration will continue its celebration with the Philippine Independence Gala Ball. This year, PIDCI’s dela Merced brought back the Independence Ball to New York City. It will be held on Saturday, June 12, at the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton in New York.
( Published June 11, 2010 in LifeEASTyle Magazine p. 2 )
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