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NEW YORK– Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) is playing host to many special guests and celebrities who will be participating in the 110th anniversary commemoration of Philippine Independence at the Grand Parade and cultural Program on Sunday June1, 2008 on Madison Avenue from 41st to 23rd Streets.
PIDCI 2008 Parade Grand Marshal, Reverend Monsignor Oscar A. Aquino – describes our Philippine Independence Day event as a celebration of ourselves, our good works, our capabilities and talents; when we march, when we applaud those marching, we should be celebrating who we are now and what we can achieve with our own determination, courage, perseverance, compassion and hope.
Headlining the guest list are Charice, fresh from her stint at the Oprah Winfrey show, Randy Santiago and Fe Delos Reyes – who will be riding a special Artists Float at the parade and performing at a special celebrity hour at the finale of the cultural show on Madison Avenue corner 23rd Street, is presented and sponsored by TFC/ABS-CBN International.
Kristine Johnson CBS anchor and Hazel Sanchez CBS field reporter will be introducing the parade participants as they pass the reviewing stand. Other Philippine celebrities include Dr. Vicky Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho and the Philippine Basketball Association Legends. Dancing with the Stars Latin ballroom kids Jaryd Farcon and Cara Abaya- Campos will be joined by their siblings who are also ballroom dancers, Craig and Samantha Abaya-Campos. The Diwa Ng Kalayaan 2008 (Spirit of Independence) Erika Pineda, and her court will be presented as the finale of the parade.
Over 90 organizations and businesses, 14 floats,10 marching and ethno-cultural bands have signed up to participate in the parade. Adding the “fun” factor to the day at the Street Fair area, with its delectable Philippine Cuisine and products and services are Free Activities for kids! Face-painting & Magic show by “Maritess”; Balloon Sculptures by Summer the Clown; Caricatures by Sam Villaflor; including Story-Telling, Kids Arts and Crafts.
The Cultural show will also feature pop-rock-soul/ heavy-rock-groove bands; variety of young performers ranging from rappers, to R & B singers, hip-hop dancers; a country singer and a cultural presentation. Headliners are two Filipino-Americans who have performed on Broadway:
LIZ CASASOLA is a singer/actor/producer based in NYC. A graduate of the prestigious American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York, she has been seen in in various NY productions: MISS SAIGON, DOGEATERS at The Public Theater, and SHOUT! The Mod Musical. She can be heard on Grammy-nominated band, Boukman Eksperyans' upcoming album, singing "Beautiful Stranger". She recently held a sold-out concert at NY's famed Crash Mansion. She is also a Producer and Managing Director for Diverse City Theater – a theater company that promotes diversity in the arts.
ALI EWOLDT, recently made her Broadway debut as Cosette in the revival of Les Miserables, a role she also played on the national tour. She has performed in Disney's Aladdin and at Tokyo Disney- Sea. This summer she'll be playing Maria in Pittsburgh CLO's production of West Side Story. Ali graduated from Yale University with a BA in psychology. She just performed a show called “Honor” with some wonderful Filipino castmates.
Other local artists with a growing patronage in the community include GOLDA, won first place at the Youth Festival of Philippine Culture in New York (PIDC) in 2000, her winning song was "Isang Lahi, Isang Lipi" written by Vehnee Saturno and was popularized by top Filipino songbird Regine Velasquez. From then on, she continued to be a mainstay in various concerts and performances in the tri-state area and other parts of the Eastcoast .A four-time AWIT Awardee, songwriter musician Jimmy Borja, (now based in L.A., CA) made an original album for her. She is graduating in mass communications major in broadcasting at Cal State University, Longbeach CA.
ALFA GARCIA, “born and raised in a family of classical musicians, is anything but traditional. A trained classical musician herself, who’s talent is well served in the singer/ songwriter genre (in NY/NJ), where her rich, soulful voice and lyrical insight bespeak a maturity far beyond her tender years Akin to the musical stylings of Norah Jones, Fiona Apple, and Vanessa Carlton, Alfa takes us on the journey of innocent youth learning to come of age in love, in loss, in heartache, in the hope of big dreams, and in wisdom. Beautiful and graceful, yet with an earthy bent, Alfa's music touches lingeringly and lightly, but with deeper, thoughtful intent."
NOEL GAMBOA ,NYC based artist and architect produces contemporary crossover music and dance with “Manila Nights” a CD/DVD album which appeals to all ages and backgrounds, for line dancing with easy to remember tunes and steps. He was driven with a personal conquest to “inject new Pinoy flavor” to our wedding and birthday parties, shows, school and office programs by creating contemporary Pinoy flavored music and dance so that we can show the world our rich and modern colors.
JASLEEN JALBAY, a Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano soloist with a background in musical theater and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from University of Waterloo, Canada, is looking forward to her debut performance in New York City.
Official sponsors for the 2008 Philippine Independence Day Celebration in New York are AIG, TFC, ABS-CBN International. Additional sponsors include Direct TV/Satellite Television, Krystal’s/Café 81, Western Union, HSBC, United Staffing Registry/United Home Care, UPS, and Estro Entertainment,.
For inquiries: PARADE: Raul Estrellado (President) 201-421-6187, Antero Martinez 347-837-5853, Jenny Vi Niguidula 917-455-8309. STREET FAIR Sofia Abad 347-558-3728; Mario Garcia 732-425-4907 CULTURAL PROGRAM Vivian Velasco 212-841-1646, Dr. Bernie de la Merced 973-699- 1849. email: pidcinc@gmail.com. Please visit the website www.pidci.org. and visit the Fan profile on Facebook (www. facebook.com) and Friendster (www.friendster.com)
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