The Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) will hold a Diwa ng Kalayaan (Spirit of Independence) Selection and Coronation Pageant and Gala as part of the commemoration of the 113th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence.  She will reign during the months-long, multi-event commemoration.

PIDCI’s Diwa ng Kalayaan Pageant and Gala will be held at the Grand Ballroom of the Newark Airport Sheraton Hotel at 128 Frontage Road, Newark, New Jersey  07114-3721 on Saturday, April 2 from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.  For information or invitations call any of the Chairperson of the Diwa ng Kalayaan Committee, Elvira Reyes at (551) 208-4986 or Co-Chairperson Tess Lobo at (917) 783-8693 or PIDCI President Joji Jalandoni at (201) 401-7559 or any member of the PIDCI Board of Directors.

At this writing, six young dalagang Pilipina (Filipina bachelorettes) have entered the number one beauty, brains and talent contest in the Filipino and Filipino-American community of the Northeast, if not the entire United States.  Three are from New Jersey:  Maria Victoria Sanagustin of Union, Shirlene Marie Panes of Englewood and Nancy McGough of Bergenfield; two from New York:  Stephanie Quiambao of Yonkers and Melody Megumi Noya of Roslyn; the lone entry from Connecticut is Nica Fraulein Chua of Milldale.

For information and/or invtitations, you may also call any Diwa ng Kalayaan Committee member: Fe Martinez (973) 222-0085, Ner Martinez (347) 837-5853, Gheng Pingol (917) 669-0505, Irra del Rosario (201) 317-0173, Tony Abellar (973) 704-0191, Beth Manalo (551) 998-1640, Ocer Dangcil (201) 451-0584, Renee Lago (201) 233-2603, Tambi Wycoco (212) 420-0145, Betty Buenviaje (973) 220-2765, Virgie Alvarez (201) 640-5230 or Vangie Lazaro (646) 508-6343.