VP Binay to lead June 5 Independence Day parade

La Guardia High School students in 2009 parade. Photo: PIDCI

Jojo Binay

Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay is expected to grace the 113th Philippine Independence Day parade June 5 on Madison Avenue. He will be joined by young ABS-CBN stars Jericho Rosales and pop singer Karylle Padilla.

The annual celebration will feature a trade fair, a cultural program, and a flea market of crafts and Filipino comfort food like barbecue and ‘halo-halo.’

“This year’s event will be bigger and better,” said Cathy Uy, board member of the organizing Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. Last year’s turnout was estimated at 70,000.

The lineup of performers also includes Asia’s Queen of Jazz Annie Brazil and her daughter Rachel Anne Wolfe-Spitalleta; singer-comedian Jojo Mabolo; and standup comic Air Tabigue.

Local talents are in abundance in the program.

Alyssa Shoemaker

Singer Alyssa Jade Shoemaker, 10, is a fifth grade student at Arbor School in New Jersey. She writes her own songs, plays the piano and saxophone and loves ballroom dancing. She studies voice at the Staten Island Conservatory.

Christine Soriano is this year’s PIDCI Diwa ng Kalayaan (Spirit of Independence) pageant winner. This up-and-coming singer is also an active athlete and student leader at William Paterson University in New Jersey.

Charisse Trinidad

Charisse Nicole Trinidad, 15, attends Stamford High School in Connecticut. Since 2000, Charisse has been performing in various plays, concerts, and fundraising events. Charisse will play the goddess “Luningning” in the upcoming “Auros Mindanao,” a dance-theater-fashion show at Time Warner Center in New York on June 3. She plays the piano and ukulele.

Louanna Factora

Louanna Factora trifecta: She is a singer, dancer and actress. She has performed in many plays, musicals and concerts, including the National Tour of “Miss Saigon” where she played Kim twice. She represented New York as Miss Philippines-USA 1999 and Miss New York City 2001.

DV8 is a hip hop dance crew based out of The FUNKtion Dance Complex in Central New Jersey. Led by John Barrella, the crew has performed at various venues, including the Monsters of Hip Hop dance convention, Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure, Relay for Life and other charities.

Crizelda Robes started singing at 6 in the Philippines. She moved to New York and formed the band Striving in Greater Hopes (S.i.G.H., later known as April’s End) with JayR Castillo. They’ve performed at various hot spots in the Tri-State area.

Zambales-born Michelle Semana is a regular performer at various community events, such as one held recently in New Jersey’s Wazzup Café and Manny’s Bake Shop in New York.

Nineteen-year-old Monica Castillo Meares is last year’s Diwa ng Kalayaan titleholder. Monica cantors at her parish church and plays the cello and the piano.

Nina Sophia Mojares is a multi-talented 12-year-old singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, pianist and model. She’s guested on TV shows such as “America’s Got Talent” Season 5, NBC’s “Today Show,” Fox’s “Good Day New York,” just to name a few. Most recently, she’s been selected to represent the FilAm community at the 32nd Annual Asian and Pacific Heritage Festival event at Union Square.

Christian Almiron

New Yorker Christian Almiron is a creative musician trained in jazz and audio technology. He has been featured in a variety of bands, such as Adam Dietch and the Grammy-nominated Les Nubians who described Christian as “one of the best keyboard players I know.”

The musical duo of Mike and Ann Claire Macalintal began their journey with jamming sessions at home. The pair would later perform for hundreds of people for benefit concerts. Mike is a graduating senior at the Bergen County Academies, and Ann Claire, a sophomore at Bergen Technical High School.

The Virus Band is one of the more popular FilAm rock, pop and soul bands on the East Coast. They also do Original Pilipino Music. They have been performing more than 15 years throughout the Tri-State.



One Comment

  1. Almena wrote:

    Thanks for sharing.

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