Page 17 - 2018 JAN-JUN KAAKBAY
P. 17
17January to June
2018
New York Parade and Street Fair Commences Month-long
Celebration of Philippine Independence
The annual Philippine Independence Day
Parade and Street Fair was successfully held on
Madison Avenue in New York City on Sunday, 3 June
2018.
Jointly organized by the Philippine Consulate
General New York and the Philippine Independence
Day Council Inc. (PIDCI), the events drew thousands
of spectators, both Filipino and non-Filipino from the
US tristate area. This year’s parade was participated in
by 85 Filipino-American community organizations in
the US northeast. Some of them showcased festivals
in the Philippines. The parade was highlighted by the
colorful and festive Manggahan cultural performers
from the province of Guimaras and the Dinagyang Filipinos parade in Madison Avenue, ushering month-long Philippine Independence Day
Warriors from Iloilo, as well as special guest celebration in New York. (Photo by Boyet Loverita)
performers, Leo Martinez and Geneva Cruz.
A number of Philippine and US officials joined the parade, including US Representatives Carolyn Maloney from New
York’s 12th congressional district and Grace Meng from New York’s 6th district, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel
Romualdez, Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter
Cayetano’s representative Ambassador Claro S. Cristobal, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate, retired Ambassador
Mario De Leon, Jr. who is this year’s Honorary Grand Marshal, Guimaras Congresswoman Lucille Ledesma-Nava, Guimaras
Governor Samuel Gumarin, Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa, and Councilor Jonathan Wong of Mahwah, New Jersey.
Mr. Aries dela Cruz, Manhattan Regional Representative for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and New York
Power Authority President and CEO Gil Quinones presented a plaque each from Gov. Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill
De Blasio to Ambassador Romualdez and PIDCI President Antero Martinez, in recognition of the contributions of Filipino New
Yorkers in enhancing every facet of life in the five boroughs of New York and their efforts to share the Philippines’ vibrant
heritage and culture to New York’s diverse residents and visitors. (Continue to page 18)
(Continued from page 16… 157th birth Anniversary)
Former Consul General and Knights of Rizal member Mario de Leon, Jr. gave his reflections on the life of the national
hero and discussed Dr. Jose Rizal’s travel to New York where he stayed in the former Manhattan Hotel from May 13-16, 1888
on his way to London. He mentioned that it was Sir Roger Alama of the New York Chapter who discovered the said footsteps
of Rizal and facilitated the installation of the marker in the Hotel on 13 May 1995 which was recognized by the National
Historical Institute.
A knighting ceremony of nine (9) members of KOR New York Chapter was officiated by Sir Francis Sison, KGCR, Sir
Dean Suba, KGOR, Sir Victor Sison, KGOR and Sir Gali Munar and Sir Ed Toloza of KOR-NJ.
The Induction of the newly-elected officers of KOR-NY for 2018-2020 was also officiated by Sir Francis Sison and
members of the Council of Elders. Sir Mariano Aquino, the new Chapter Commander, acknowledged the responsibilities of the
Knights of Rizal and underlined the importance of brotherhood in achieving the vision of KOR.
The new batch of the officers of the Ladies for Rizal NY Chapter was officiated The Newly inducted officers of the Knights of Rizal New York Chapter headed by the
during the 157th Birth Anniversary of Jose Rizal held at the Philippine Center. new Chapter Commander Mariano Aquino (4thfrom L) showing the freternal greeting.
