PH Independence Day fete in LA welcomes Senate Pres. Sotto

Philippine Senate President Tito Sotto delivers Independence Day message in Los Angeles. INQUIRER/Christian Esteban

LOS ANGELES – Philippine Independence Coordinating Council of Southern California (PICCSC) kicked off the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 2 at Hilton Los Angeles International Airport with ceremony and entertainment.

The celebration began with a presentation of Philippine Revolutionary flags followed by the arrival of Fil-Am community leaders led by City of Carson Councilman Elito M. Santarina, cultural dance performances by F Kayamanan ng Lahi, and the recognition of Philippine Independence Ambassadors of Goodwill.

Newly elected Philippine Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, the main guest of honor and speaker, recalled that

“Our heroes fought with all their might, giving up security and safety and even their lives to free our country from foreign colonization.”

Kayamanan ng Lahi performs Singkil, a Filipino folk dance from the Maranao people. INQUIRER/Christian Esteban

The “Eat Bulaga” host also some heroes have been forgotten. “Lapu-Lapu [is hardly] mentioned in our written history books, so most of us have forgotten of that he had fought for our country. Our fellow senators pushed the bill [Senate Bill No. 108] to honor and commemorate the life of Lapu-Lapu,” he said.

Senate Bill No. 108 introduced by Senator Richard Gordon on February 19, 2018 to declare April 27 “Lapu-Lapu Day,” a special working public holiday, in honor of “the first successful defender of the Philippine shores.”

Filipino American community leaders welcome Philippine Senate President Tito Sotto. INQUIRER/Christian Esteban

Sotto reminded Filipino Americans to continue to show courage and pride and to be more knowledgeable of the history of Filipino heroes.