Page 12 - 2017 JAN-JUN - KAAKBAY

12 January to June
2017

Consulate General in New York Commemorates
st
EDSA 31 Anniversary with Film Screening at
Fordham University
The Philippine Consulate General in New York
st
commemorated the 31 EDSA People Power anniversary
with a film screening of a documentary film entitled “LABAN”
at the Campbell Hall of Fordham University in New York on
24 February 2017.

The hour-long documentary film, first screened at
St. Paul’s College in Quezon City on 25 February 2007, is Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega (center) with Michael Gonzales President of the
Fordham University Philippine-American Club (extreme left), Fr. Angelito Salazar, SJ of
one of the rare accounts of the EDSA event featuring first- the Campus Ministry Office (left), Prof. Henry Schwalbenberg (right), faculty, officials,
hand interviews of key figures from different sides of the Consul Arman Talbo, Consulate staff, and students at Campbell Hall (photo by NYPCG)
political spectrum during the historic event in 1986. It
includes interviews of the late President Corazon Aquino,
former President Fidel V. Ramos, former First Lady Imelda
Marcos, Senators Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. and Gregorio
Honasan, historians, media personalities, military officials,
and the religious sector, among others.

Filmmaker Sally Jo Bellosillo answered questions
from the audience at a Talk Back session conducted via
remote connection to Manila. Ms. Bellosillo organized
screenings of the film along with former President Fidel V. (Left to Right) Consul General De Vega delivers her opening remarks and introduction to
th
Ramos during the 30 EDSA commemoration in 2016. She the Film ; Consul General De Vega presents a token of appreciation to Fordham
conveyed to the audience that among her aspirations for the University Rector Fr. Thomas Scirghi, SJ ; Prof. Henry Schwalbenberg, Director of the
film is that it will engender reflection on the true legacy of Graduate Program in International Political Economy and Development addresses the
EDSA which is people empowerment devoid of partisan audience at the film screening (photos by NYPCG)
politics and a genuine shift to programs-based and not
personality-driven politics.

In her remarks and introduction to the film, Consul
General Theresa Dizon-De Vega encouraged the audience,
particularly the young Filipino-Americans, to assess and
determine how they can contribute to keeping the EDSA
spirit alive in keeping with this year’s theme of “A Day of
Reflection: Celebrating People Power for Nation Building”.

Prof. Henry Schwalbenberg of Fordham
University’s Graduate Program in International Political
Economy and Development (IDEP) welcomed the
Consulate General team to Fordham while Fr. Angelito International Women’s Month Launches in New York
Salazar, SJ, Executive Director of the Fordham Campus
Ministry, led the invocation. Mr. Michael Gonzales, The Philippine Consulate General with the Philippine
President of the Fordham University Philippine-American Mission to the United Nations in New York and the Philippine
Club (FUPAC) delivered a message of appreciation at the Center held a pre-launch of International Women’s Month with a
close of the event. Flag-Raising Ceremony and reading of the Philippine
Government’s Statement on Women’s Month at the Lobby-
The successful screening was organized by the Gallery of the Philippine Center on 27 February 2017.
Philippine Consulate General with the IDEP and FUPAC.
Ceremony. This was followed by a presentation of the
Prior to the film screening, Consul General Dizon- Philippine Government’s statement on the commemoration of
Vega with Consul Arman Talbo called on Fordham Women’s Month read by Mr. Harold Heredia of the Philippine
University Rector Fr. Thomas Scirghi, SJ, Vice President for Mission to the UN.
Administration Thomas Dunne, Associate Vice President for
The theme for this year’s National Women’s Month
Presidential Operations Dorothy Marinucci, and Associate celebration is “We Make Change Work for Women” and is part of
Vice President for Governmental Relations Joseph Muriana. the Philippine Government’s commitment to the protection of
Fr. Vic Salanga, SJ and Ms. Fern Robles of the Philippine women’s rights and full implementation of Philippine Republic Act
Jesuit Foundation in New York likewise joined the meeting. No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women.