High visibility for Fil-Ams as New York fetes PH Independence Day

NEW YORK—Filipino American visibility reached a new high this month with two Philippine Independence Day celebrations, five days apart, both highlighting the rich tapestry of Filipino culture and drawing big crowds.

Last Thursday, June 1, the first-ever Philippine Independence Day celebration in New York State capital of Albany took place, led by Assemblymember Steven Raga, the first-ever Filipino American elected state official. The event attracted hundreds of Filipinos from all corners of New York State, transforming the Legislative Office Building into a vibrant Filipino festival venue.

“This landmark celebration serves as a testament to the growing presence and impact of the Filipino American community in New York State,” Raga said in a statement announcing the successful event. “We’re not only celebrating our heritage, but also our ongoing contributions to the cultural fabric of this great state.”

Masskara Festival dancers from Bacolod City were the featured performers at the event, with Filipino dignitaries led by Philippine Consul General Senen Mangalile in attendance. Joining Raga in welcoming the Fil-Am community were Phil Ramos, deputy speaker of the New York State Assembly; Assemblymember Grace Lee, co-chair of the New York State Asian Pacific American Task Force; and a representative from the office of U.S. Congressmember Paul Tonko. Ramos delivered welcoming remarks and escorted all guests into the Assembly Speaker’s Room.

Mangalile noted the significance of the event. “Today, we remember Filipino heroes who fought for liberty against our colonial masters, but we also celebrate our current crop of heroes—our nurses, accountants, engineers, entrepreneurs—who contribute positively to the fabric of New York society,” he said.

Manhattan parade

In Manhattan, June 4 was the other red-letter day for this year’s Philippine Independence Day celebration. Taking a cue from President Ferdinand Marcos’ recent appeal to promote tourism in the homeland, the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDCI) featured more festival performers from the Philippines.

Many considered the event, the 33rd to take place in New York City to commemorate the 125th Independence Day of the Philippines, an extraordinary triumph with the presence of 30 Masskara Festival performers from Bacolod City, 40 participants from Gingoog City bringing the Kaliga Festival dance for the first time on Madison Avenue, and a contingent from Maguindanao showcasing traditional Maranao music and dance.

More than 100 Fil-Am organizations and business groups took part in the Independence Day parade. They were joined by Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel and a host of Fil-Am beauty queens, dozens of Filipino celebrities and dignitaries led by Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez, who served as a grand marshal alongside Dely Go, this year.

Another highlight of the Independence Day parade was a huge Philippine flag, said to be 25 x 50 feet, specially made for the June 5 festivity.

Opener on cruise ship

To introduce this year’s guests, PIDCI hosted a meet-and-greet onboard a cruise ship. Despite the gloomy weather, guests and organizers alike were filled with excitement as the cruise offered a breathtaking view of the New York harbor. It also served as the launching ceremony for this year’s celebration.

PIDCI President Nora Galleros, PIDCI Grand Marshal Dely Go and ConGen Mangalile led the FilAm community in welcoming Senator Risa Hontiveros, the lone opposition lawmaker in the Philippine Senate. Hontiveros thanked Filipinos in the US for their “unwavering commitment to justice and democracy” in the homeland.

Also introduced were beauty queens Megan Young and Venus Raj, and more Filipino dignitaries among the guests. The four-hour cruise featured a sumptuous luncheon, a photo opportunity, and a brief dance performance by the Masskara Festival dancers.

Galleros stressed the importance of showcasing Filipino festival groups in New York to promote Philippine tourism.

With a mix of Philippine celebrities and exceptional Fil-Am talents on stage, a sea of Filipinos from all walks of life gathered at the Madison Square Park to watch the cultural show and visit the street fair. It was the biggest crowd in recent years.

Stars galore

For five days, the Wish USA bus traveled from Los Angeles, arriving in NYC with popular featured singers such as Mark Atienza and Berniece Bernabe. GMA Pinoy TV had on hand a giant Voltes V balloon which, however, could not be inflated during show proper for lack of a high-voltage power. With the help of Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio, the much-awaited balloon was finally put up the next day at Veterans Memorial park, yet again attracting its own crowd of selfie seekers.

Comedians Boobsie Wonderland and Super Tekla became crowd favorites as they gathered a few men from the audience to participate in a parlor game. The segment was short, delighting the crowd with its risqué humor. The show’s special guests from the Philippines included actor and model Xian Lim, Voice of the Philippines 2013 winner Mitoy Yonting and Cesar Montano.

Complementing the Filipino celebrities were up and coming Fil-Am talents, who grabbed audience attention with their soulful renditions of popular Filipino songs. Most applauded were the Limbay Singers, whose cover of Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak” brought tears to some and for others, goosebumps.

In Manila as in New York, the favorite street foods are barbecue and halo halo. This became evident during the street fair as long lines formed around the booths selling these crowd favorites.

“The PIDCI parade and festival is an important event for Fil-Ams to celebrate their heritage, connect with their community, and honor the history and culture of the Philippines,” said former PIDCI president Joji Jalandoni.

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