Fil-Am Groups Mark Philippine-Independence Week |
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Communities - General Community | |||
Written by Joseph G. Lariosa | |||
Thursday, 10 June 2010 06:08 | |||
By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA (Journal Group Link International) Filipino-American Groups Mark Philippine-Independence Week from California to New York's Island of Manhattan C HICAGO (JGLi) – As Chicago Filipinos held a motorcade, New York Filipinos kicked off with their annual grand parade as Filipino Americans mark this week the 112th Philippine Independence Day across the United States. In The KKK (Kasarinlan, Kamalayan, Kasuotan) featured All Saints Fil Am Ministry of Manassas, Virginia; Dr. Joel Ang and Sidney Boquiren, violin and piano; Allan Chan, tenor; FACC Angklung Ensemble, Tony Lambino and Butch Arroyo, Genieve Llames, piano, The Singing Diplomats, Young Adults Choir of St. Columba and Jason Ignacio, award winning dancer and choreographer, with works of Alfonso “Boy” Guinoo, Mindanao Fashion czar. Meanwhile, newscaster Gel Santos Relos will headline the 5th Annual People’s Ball of the Migrant Heritage Commission on June 26 (Saturday) at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Celebrations in In a message, newly posted Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim in In her farewell message for this year’s theme: Kalayaan 2010: Tagumpay ng Bayan released by the Philippine Consulate, outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo thanked “Overseas Filipinos, for your demonstrated commitment to help uphold, protect and promote our Filipino heritage. I am confident that you will continue to do your part in contributing to the full development of your motherland.” At least two of four groups celebrating Philippine Independence event in Chicago came together to start a motorcade in the morning last Sunday (June 6) from Lake Shore Drive and Foster Avenue moving westward to Labagh Woods Forest Preserve, where the community members held a picnic. There, they attended mass, held inter-faith vesper service as not all participants are Catholics, presented some entertainment, including SDA Singing Group, line dancing, raffle & giveaways, sporting events and networking. There were also some booths, featuring the 10th anniversary of Pinoy Newsmagazine, birthday and wedding anniversary celebration of Pinoy’s publisher, Anong Santos; and the launching of Knights of Rizal Celebration of the 150th birthday of National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal on June 19. On Friday, June 11, a huge Philippine flag will be unfurled and raised at the At night, Kalayaan’s executive chairperson Ronnie Cascolan will host a coronation and gala dinner ball at the Grand Ball of Hyatt Regency O’Hare at The following night, Saturday, June 12, Philippine Independence Week Committee (PIWC) executive chair Joy Manuel will host a coronation and gala dinner ball also at the Grand Ballroom of Hyatt Regency O’Hare at Rosemont. It will feature Beauty Queen chair, Cora Gumila’s Mrs. Philippines PIWC ’10, Eden Olarte; Little Miss Illinois, Serena Escalona; Miss Illinois, Sarah Crisostomo; Mrs. Illinois, Mayumi Hammer; Miss Chicago, Kayvee Divinagracia; Mrs. Chicago, Nelida Jayme. Also on Saturday, June 12, Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago’s Kasarinlan will hold in the Rizal Center in Chicago the showing of the “Pearl of the Orient Seas” video from the Philippine Department of Tourism in Chicago, showcasing and promoting the beauty of the Philippines; presentation of musical talents by young Filipino Americans; art exhibit by local Filipino painters and artists; exhibits of Philippine artifacts donated by an American, who lived in the Philippines for many years, and a masterful exhibit of wit and talent called “Balagtasan” (poetic debate) written by prominent members of the Filipino community. Celebrations in M eanwhile, in New York City, over 150 Filipino-American and immigrant members of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) and other organizations turned the 112th Philippine Independence into a march for social justice as they pounded the streets of New York City last June 6, Sunday afternoon. They also demanded genuine change for Filipinos in the NAFCON said it participated in the Philippine Independence Day Parade with thousands of other Filipinos, not only to celebrate the independence of the With the ongoing political corruption in the Philippines, and over 1,000 extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of activists since Arroyo took office; in addition to degrading immigration laws that would criminalize immigrants in Arizona and a possible immigration reform bill that would demand national identification and/or a biometric system has characterized the current state of why Filipinos organizing and taking to the streets against such corruption and oppressive laws is necessary at this point of time. During the parade, member and allied organizations of NAFCON including Philippine Forum New York, Philippine Forum New Jersey, KABALIKAT: Domestic Workers' Support Network, Kappa Pi (Kapatirang Pilipino) Fraternity, Young Educators for Health and Empowerment of the Youth (YEHEY), American Pinoy Organization of the Youth (APOY of the Hudson Community County College), the Sentosa 27++ nurses, Anakbayan NY/NJ, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE) and New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), chanted in unity, "Pagbabago! Ipatupad! Tunay na Repormang Agraryo! Ipatupad (Change! Enforce it! Genuine Land Reform! Enforce it!)", "We are people! We are not illegal!", "Shut Sentosa! Shut down Sentosa Now!" and "Prosecute, prosecute, GMA! Singilin, singilin, pagbayarin! (Charge her, charge her, let her pay!)" Even if there was a variety of issues in the community, the member organizations of NAFCON marched and united together against these problems. Their joint solidarity was symbolically represented with a "Bahay Kubo" on the backs of different members of different organizations to show the Bayanihan spirit—when community members come together to help out in the worst of times. Behind the bahay kubo is the sun symbolizing the Filipinos' vision for change within the Philippine government with the ushering in of the new leadership. Other props were produced such as the mascot of the outgoing Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wearing an orange prisoner's shirt and handcuffs by the youth of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey.
Kababayans (fellow Filipinos) who watched the parade cheered, raised fists and chanted along with the NAFCON contingent and the two other major Filipino alliances with member organizations all over the US – BAYAN USA and GABRIELA USA – as they marched through Madison Avenue.
A dditional information, as provided by the MabuhayRadio.com News Service: Philippine-Independence Day Events in I. Philippine Independence Day at the City Council Chambers & Forecourt, 200 North Springs Activities: · Proclamation by the LA City Council of Philippine Independence Day at the Council Chambers, LA City Hall, 3rd Floor ( · Reception and Entertainment at the LA City Hall Forecourt. Lunch will be provided. ( · Vendor's Showcase ( as chaired by Gil Mislang Additional Features: The event will feature local Filipino pop singers Mon David, Louie Reyes, Paco Arespacochaga, Miguel Vera, Angeline, Gelo Francisco, violinist Andy Tecson and pianist Juliet Posadas. Music by the Midnight Motion Band and emceed by Shiela Ferrari, a former Miss Date: Place: IV. Filipiniana at Union Square Philippine Independence Day Gala, Multi-Service and the Filipino WWII Veterans Memorial Library and Museum Additional Features: The Filipiniana at Union Square Philippine Independence Day Gala is a major celebration by the Filipino community of the San Francisco Bay Area to create awareness of the Philippine culture and for many Americans of Filipino descent to rekindle their roots and heritage and to raise funds for charity projects. Activities: The celebration will start with an opening reception and unveiling of the Dewey Monument Plaque at V. A Philippine Independence Day Offering Additional Features: Mini concert featuring the traditional culture of Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at: (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)
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Last Updated on Thursday, 10 June 2010 18:35 |
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