PIDCI heralds new leadership with Lea Frain, presents 2026 Grand Marshals
By Ricky Rillera
With the world‑famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree shimmering in the background, the Equinox at Rockefeller Center offered an exquisite setting for the turnover ceremony of new officers of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which has organized the largest Independence Day parade in the Northeast for over 35 years.
Perched above the bustling plaza, the venue’s warm lighting and panoramic views created a festive holiday atmosphere for an evening that blended tradition, community pride, and renewed leadership.
The ceremony marked the official transition of responsibilities for the annual Independence Day Parade on Madison Avenue. This June celebration draws tens of thousands of Filipino Americans and supporters each year.
Presentation of gavel
Past president Arman David presented incoming president Ofelia “Lea” Frain, a tireless community leader who has served in several organizations for more than two decades, with a gavel, a symbol of leadership, responsibility, and PIDCI’s continued mission.
In her speech, she outlined her vision to strengthen PIDCI’s legacy by fostering deeper collaboration among Filipino American organizations to ensure inclusivity and representation. She added expanding youth engagement through leadership programs, volunteer opportunities, and mentorship. She also pledged that PIDCI would continue the practices of transparency and integrity.
Frain introduced the team for 2026. Nonong Aquino, Jr., vice president; Jovel Golingan, treasurer/director; Joyce Andes-David, secretary/director. The PIDCI board of directors is composed of April Piamonte-Aquino, Chris Bejar, Betty Corrales, Bong Echavez, Sol Kapunan, Merilyn Loja, Randel Maglantay, Maria Nucum, Arnel Piamonte, and Matt Danny Reyes.
Comprising the PIDCI staff are Nora Galleros, executive director; Arman David, executive adviser; Aida Tagle, chief of staff; Manny Quintal, general counsel; Janeth Blake, auditor; Czar Lopez, compliance officer; and Consul General Senen Mangalile, honorary adviser.
Frain also unveiled PIDCI’s theme this year — “Let Us Live the Freedom We Celebrate and Lift the Nation We Love.”
Nurses as Grand Marshals
A highlight of the evening was the formal introduction of the 2026 Grand Marshals, nurse leaders and entrepreneurs Sally Nunez, Maria Lea Batomalaque, and Florida Lucas, three business partners who built a thriving nursing registry agency serving hospitals, clinics, and long‑term care facilities across the region. Their selection, organizers said, reflects the Filipino community’s deep and longstanding contributions to the healthcare profession.
Nunez and Batomalaque expressed gratitude for the honor and emphasized that the recognition extends to the thousands of Filipino nurses and caregivers who continue to serve on the frontlines.
“We stand here not just as business partners,” one of them shared, “but as representatives of the many Filipino healthcare workers whose dedication strengthens this city every day. This honor belongs to all of them.” Florida Lucas could not make it to the event.
After the remarks of Nunez and Batomalaque, Matt Reyes, chair of the event, offered a toast to officially launch the 2026 PIDCI celebrations and honor the leaders and Grand Marshals who will make this year unforgettable.
Mangalile, who served as the evening’s keynote speaker, praised the new Grand Marshals for their leadership and service. He underscored the importance of community unity and the parade’s role in uplifting Filipino identity on the global stage.
“The Independence Day Parade is more than a commemoration of our history,” he said. “It is a celebration of our people—our achievements, our resilience, and our shared journey. Tonight, we welcome leaders who embody the very best of our community.”
He also acknowledged the outgoing officers and volunteers whose dedication ensured the success of last year’s parade, noting that the event continues to grow in scale, visibility, and cultural impact.
Renewed energy, optimism
The turnover ceremony closed with renewed energy and optimism. With new leadership at the helm, strong support from the Philippine Consulate, and a community eager to celebrate its identity, the stage is set for another historic Independence Day Parade on Madison Avenue.
For many who attended, the evening was more than a formal transition—it was a reminder of the power of unity, the strength of shared heritage, and the enduring pride of being Filipino in New York.
