About PIDCI
OBJECTIVES
- To celebrate Philippine Independence in the Northeast USA
- To create awareness of Philippine culture among our American sisters and brothers.
- To raise funds for charity projects in the USA and the Philippines.
BRIEF HISTORY
Together with the Filipino
American community, the Philippine Consulate General in New
York created the Philippine Independence Day Committee (PIDC)
to commemorate the birth of Philippine Independence.
Established in 1990 during Consul General Hermenegildo Garcia's term, PIDC is an ad hoc committee with a life cycle of one year. All consuls general would later become honorary overall chairperson. The position of overall chairperson is elected every year. The winner in the election will then appoint the rest of her/his executive committee.
At first, the theme of each year's celebration is handed down from the government in Manila. Later on, the overall chairperson chooses the theme for her/his term. The coat of arms of the Republic of the Philippines is the centerpiece of the PIDC logo and PIDC's official address is that of the Philippine Consulate in New York. Checks payable to PIDC are mailed to and received by the Philippine Consulate and handed over to PIDC. All PIDC meetings, with rare exceptions, are conducted at the Consulate.
The Philippine Independence Day celebration in Northeast U.S.A. includes not only New York but also the twelve states under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, namely, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Depending on the theme each year, the overall chairperson may expand and invite other areas to participate in PIDC's many activities.
Traditionally held along Manhattan's Madison Avenue from 23rd to 40th Streets, the culmination of the preparation, the Grand Parade, Street Fair and Cultural Show, held on the first Sunday in June each year is the biggest celebration of Philippine Independence outside the Philippines. The festivities include the Diwa ng Kalayaan (beauty and talent contest), Youth Festival, Independence Ball, Consul General Night, Grand Marshal Night, other fundraising activities, special cultural presentations and other events that may be initiated by the overall chairperson.
The Philippine Consulate extends its support and guidance to the PIDC from inception to culmination of the annual event. It begins with the sending of invitations to community leaders to a general meeting, election of overall chairperson, and in the planning and execution of activities up to Appreciation Night where the Consul General awards certificates of appreciation to PIDC officers and members.
Since 1993, there were calls for incorporation of PIDC. On September 8, 2001, with the election of the overall chairperson, the members of the Filipino American community were also given the chance to cast their vote on the incorporation of PIDC. Results showed that majority of Filipino Americans are in favor of incorporating PIDC. With paperwork and processing, an incorporated PIDC will take effect in 2003. Hence, 2003 was PIDC's last year under the auspices of the Consulate General of the Philippines, New York.
PAST OVERALL CHAIRPERSONS
1990 Ness Quijano
1991 Nilda Jaynal
1992 Luis San Pascual
1993 Maria Andrada
1994 Sofia Abad
1995 Lynne Matriano
1996 Luz Micabalo
1997 Nelia Ferrette
1998 Consul General Willy Gaa (Centennial)
1999 Cora Reyes
2000 Alan Britanico
2001 Lett Dayao
2002 Lee Vargas
2003 Nena Kaufman
2004 Lolit Gillberg
2005 Nimia L. Lacebal
2006 Isagani C. Puertollano
2007 Isagani C. Puertollano
PAST GRAND MARSHALS
1991 Lilia Clemente
1992 Ric Crudo, M.D.
1993 Alice Francisco, M.D.
1994 Estela Gonzales, M.D.
1995 Gary Villanueva, M.D.
1996 Manny Aldana
1997 Libertito Pelayo
1998 Loida Nicolas Lewis, Esq.
1999 Joanne De Asis
2000 Raul Sala, M.D.
2001 Vivi Malantic, M.D.
2002 Dr. Jean Raymundo Lobell
2003 Fe Caliolo
2004 Rudy C. Quiambao, P.E.
2005 Linda R. Pelayo, DMD
2006 Dan De Guzman
2007 Emmanuel M. Pangan, M.D.
PAST PIDC THEMES
1991 Malayang Mamamayan,
Maunlad na Bayan
1992 Tagumpay ng Kalayaan, Katarungan at Kaunlaran
1993 Tagumpay ng Kalayaan, Katarungan at Kaunlaran
1994 Ang Pilipino: Maka-Diyos, Maka-Bayan, Maka-Tao
1995 Ang Galing ng Pilipino: Dakila, Magiting, Nagkakaisa
1996 Ikarangal Mo and Pilipino, Magiting and Lahi Mo
1997 Diwang Pilipino: Isaisip, Isapuso, Isagawa
1998 Kalayaan: Kayamanan ng Bayan
1999 Philippine Festivals
2000 Filipino Americans: The Emerging Force in the 21st
Century
2001 The Philippines: Rediscovering the Filipino Spirit in
America
2002 Bridging World Communities
2003 VISIT THE PHILIPPINES: Our Land, Our Culture, Our
People...
2004 Filipino-Americans: One People, One Heritage...Building
our Future
2005 The Filipino-American: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
2006 Celebrating the Filipino Spirit: Sa Puso, Sa Diwa, Sa
Gawa
2007 Isang Kasaysayan, Isang Kinabukasan - One History, One Future
Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc.
Presidents
• Founding President - Reuben S. Seguritan 2002-2003
• Roger Alama - 2003-2004
• Nimia Lacebal - 2004-2005
• Isagani C. Puertollano - 2005-2007