Independence Day parade is happening on June 3: PIDCI
‘This is our parade.’ Photo by Boyet Loverita
The June 3 Philippine Independence Day parade on Madison Avenue will start with a 7:30 a.m. flag ceremony followed by a Thanksgiving Mass. At 11 a.m., the street fair opens to welcome the paradegoers. At 12 noon, according to the schedule, the parade gets underway, with dignitaries from the Philippine government, New York State, and New York City, community leaders, and officers of the Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. marching. From 38th Street, the parade heads south to 23rd Street.
At a press conference, PIDCI officers disclosed plans for the 120th Independence Day parade to be led by Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel ‘Babe’ Romualdez. He will be at the head of the line marching with Grand Marshal Dr. Restituto Estacio and Honorary Grand Marshal Ambassador Mario de Leon Jr., who was previously a consul general in New York. With two weeks left before June 3, invited officials from the Philippines, N.Y. State, and NYC have not yet confirmed their attendance. PIDCI President Antero ‘Ner’ Martinez said there will be continuous follow-ups and meetings. “As you can see we are all sleep-deprived,” he quipped.
He said at least 60 groups have signed up to participate. They expect eight floats and eight marching bands to liven up the street festival.
“There will be a group from Albany, and a women’s group from Tampa, Florida,” he said, adding how PIDCI likewise expects participation from the 10 states under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate.
Two dance troupes – the Dinagyang from Iloilo province and the Manggahan from Guimaras – will showcase traditional dances known for their colorful costumes and rhythmic ati-atihan beat, said Joji Jalandoni, a member of PIDCI’s Council of Advisers comprising former presidents.
PIDCI officials, from left: Vice President Rely Manacay, President Antero Martinez, lawyer Manuel Quintal, board member Jojo Paredes, and former president Joji Jalandoni, who serves in the Council of Advisers. The FilAm Photo
Grand Marshal Dr. Restituto Estacio; Honorary Grand Marshal Amb. Mario de Leon Jr.
The entertainment program, which is always a big draw, will be hosted by comedian, actor, and director Leo Martinez. He is the brother of the PIDCI president. Local talents from New York, New Jersey and nearby states will be performing. Broadway Barkada and 13 singers from MountainTop Productions are in the program, according to Jojo Paredes, a member of the board in charge of entertainment.
The cost could be anywhere from $75K to $80K, according to officials, the amount almost one-third of the budget for previous parades estimated by former President Fe Martinez at $250K.
This year, PIDCI is staging the parade amid skepticism from some in the community, following a controversial election and a lawsuit asking that the organization open its financial records because some funds are alleged to be missing. Lawyer Manny Quintal said PIDCI has submitted its financial records to the court.
“Our work is done. We’re just waiting for the decision of the court,” he told reporters.
Plaintiffs Juliet Payabyab of United Mindoro International, Inc. and Nieva Burdick of the Philippine Community Center Services for the Aging maintained the lawsuit is about “transparency and accountability.”
“There are grumblings and negativity, some saying huwag kayo sasali sa parade,” said Martinez, who stressed the importance of not breaking tradition.
“This is one singular day of the year that we Filipinos can (claim) that short stretch of Madison Avenue. This is our parade,” he said. “Let’s all rally for that one big, great celebration come June 3.
Grand Marshal Estacio said the parade is important in protecting Filipino culture “so we can bequeath it to the younger generation.”
“We want it to be successful (with) no problem, no cases, no nothing,” he said.
© The FilAm 2018
