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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
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.
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
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