PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL NEW YORK

P R E S S R E L E A S E

PR-MDL-048-16 21 June 2016 KDA

Fil-Am community in US Northeast toasts 118th Independence Day, 70th anniversary of PH-US relations at elegant luncheon gala in NYC

21 June 2016, New York City – Under the grand arches of a landmark New York City building, 350 members of the Filipino-American community in the US Northeast, resplendent in their Filipiniana garb, gathered together for an afternoon of outstanding Filipino talent and a gourmet repast to celebrate together the 118th anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Philippine-US diplomatic relations last June 12.

Hosted by Consul General Mario L. de Leon Jr., in partnership with the Foundation for Filipino Artists, Inc. (FFAI), a New York City-based non-profit organization that serves the Filipino artists community, the luncheon gala, held at Cipriani 42nd in Midtown Manhattan, was attended by representatives of the Philippine

Consul General Mario L. de Leon Jr. welcomes over 350 guests to the Luncheon Reception Gala held on June 12 at Midtown Manhattan’s Cipriani 42nd to mark the 118th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 70th Anniversary of Philippine-US Bilateral Relations. (Photo by Yetbo Loverita)

and US government, business, media and the Filipino-American community in the US Northeast, with outgoing Philippine Ambassador to the US H.E. Jose L. Cuisia Jr. as Guest of Honor.

The occasion was also an opportunity for the Filipino-American community to pay

tribute to Consul General de Leon, who is ending his term soon, and for Ambassador Cuisia to bid his farewell when he relinquishes his post on June 30.

Over a sumptuous three-course lunch, guests had the opportunity to hear distinguished speakers articulate the profound ties that bind the peoples of the Philippines and the United States that serve as the bedrock of the enduring diplomatic relations, experience a visual representation of this relationship, and experience the extraordinary talent of young Filipino-Americans in the performing arts. Guests also heard from the gala’s beneficiary organization, the FFAI, and the proposed Multi-Cultural Community Center project; witnessed the launching of the Filipino-American General Assembly Community Directory, which is a listing of all Filipino-American community organizations; and participated in a Silent Auction of paintings and other important items. A couple of lucky guests won round-trip tickets to the Philippines from Philippine Airlines and Eva Air.

The gala was an opportunity for friends and local US government officials to express solidarity with the Filipino-American community, and recognize the latter’s social, political, economic and cultural contributions to US society. (R-L) New York Power Authority President and CEO Gil Quiniones who represented New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, Madame Eleanor de Leon, Consul General de Leon, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr., New York City Chief Technology Officer Minerva Tantoco who represented New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Foundation for Filipino Artists, Inc. (FFAI) Founder Aida Bartolome, and noted New York-based Filipino floral and event designer Jerry Sibal. (Photo by Yetbo Loverita)

In his welcome remarks, Consul General de Leon thanked the Filipino-American

community for actively working towards elevating the presence and profile of the Philippines and in advancing the interest of the Filipino people, both in the US and back home in the Philippines.

“I admire your dedication and hard work in promoting our heritage and honoring

our country during the past Independence Day celebrations through flag-raising ceremonies, street parades, formal galas, and community picnics,” the Consul General said. “I convey my utmost gratitude to all of you for your support for the past five years,” he added.

Consul General de Leon got a pleasant surprise when prominent community leader Mrs. Loida Nicolas-Lewis took to the stage and paid tribute to him and offered him a token of appreciation on behalf of the community.

“As Consul General, your out-of-the-box ideas and dedication to duty have effectively advanced the interests of the Philippines in this part the US,” Mrs. Lewis said. “We thank you for being extraordinarily generous with your time in attending the many community activities,” she added.

Prominent Filipino businesswoman and leader Loida Nicolas-Lewis (3rd from R) presents to Consul General de Leon a token of appreciation on behalf of the Filipino-American community for his dedication to duty in advancing the interests of the Philippines and for being “extraordinarily generous” with his time in attending the many community activities. With (R-L) floral and events designer Jerry Sibal, FFAI founder Aida Bartolome and Ambassador Cuisia. (Photo by Yetbo Loverita)

In his keynote address, Ambassador Cuisia underlined how close people-to-people bonds continue to drive the strong relations between the Philippines and the US.

“The alliance (between the Philippines and the United States) is anchored on its

people,” Ambassador Cuisia said. “Indeed, the Philippines and the United States are bound by a close friendship – a friendship that springs from shared values and common advocacies.”

Ambassador Cuisia also thanked New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for recognizing the contributions of Filipinos to the social, economic and cultural landscape, and for entrusting Filipino-Americans with positions in government.

“Governor Cuomo, Mayor De Blasio, you have shown us the true meaning of “friendship beyond treaties,” the Ambassador said.

Envoys of Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio, in the persons of New York Power Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Gil Quiniones and New York City Chief Technology Officer Minerva Tantoco, expressed solidarity with the Filipino-American community and reaffirmed the strong friendship between the peoples of the Philippines and the US. Mr. Quiniones and Ms. Tantoco read proclamations issued from the offices of the governor and the mayor congratulating the community and recognizing their important role in New York’s continued growth.

Ambassador Cuisia attributes the abiding friendship between the Philippines and the United States to the strong people-to-people relations and shared values and common advocacies. (Photo by Yetbo Loverita)

Highlighting the

commemoration of the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations was the showing of the documentary “Friendship Beyond Treaties”, a 15-minute video encapsulating the essence of the relationship between the Philippines and the US produced by People’s Television Network as commissioned by the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC. The documentary was released that week across the United States.

Mrs. Aida Bartolome, founder of FFAI, made a brief presentation of the proposed Multi-Cultural Community Center project that will benefit from the proceeds of the afternoon’s event. The Center, planned to be located either in Queens or in Manhattan and projected to be operational by 2021, is envisioned to host activities for seniors and the youth, ranging from athletics, music, arts, workshop and history seminars. Mrs. Bartolome appealed for donations to purchase the building for the Center and support its operations for 10 years, estimated to cost about $5 million.

Consul General de Leon presented to Mrs. Bartolome a check in the amount of $5,000 raised from proceeds of the luncheon reception that will go to the project fund.

For the rest of the afternoon, guests were treated to a bevy of world-class talent by Filipino-American artists from New York and Boston. Classically-trained soprano Katrina Saporsantos and tenor Rogelio Peñaverde rendered kundiman numbers; rising young stars Jared Martin and Kirby Asunto gave stirring renditions of OPMs; second-generation performers of Boston-based Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla gave a rousing folk song and dance medley, and up-and-coming second-generation singers of Broadway Barkada’s Isabel van Vleet, Loresca Lanceta and Sacha Iskra capped the afternoon with Broadway and OPM favorites. Ms. Angel Ram, a well-known pop vocalist in the New York club scene, provided the entertainment during the pre-lunch cocktail hour.

Rounding off the activity was the launching of the Filipino Community General Assembly Directory, a publication listing the various Filipino-American community organizations in the 10 states under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, produced in cooperation with GMA-7 International; the drawing of 35 lucky raffle winners that took home the exquisite floral centerpieces by noted New York-based Filipino floral and event designer Jerry Sibal; the announcement of winners of the Silent Auction that sold, among others, original prints by the Father of Filipino Print-Making

Proceeds of the lunch gala benefitted the Multi-Cultural Community Center project of FFAI. Consul General de Leon hands over a check of $5,000 to FFAI Founder Aida Bartolome. (Photo by Yetbo Loverita)

Manuel “Mang Maning” Rodriguez Sr., paintings by renowned Filipino artists Fernando Kabigting and Manuel Baldemor, a photograph by New York Lucie Photographer of the Year Award finalist Paul Resurreccion, and premium tickets to the historic performance of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall; and the lucky draw of round-trip air tickets to the Philippines from Philippine Airlines and Eva Air, which went to Mr. Derick Soria Hidalgo and Ms. Mary Ann Mendoza Herrera, respectively.

The 2016 Independence Day Luncheon Reception was the first of its kind,

retooled by the Philippine Consulate General in New York to enable kababayans and friends from all 10 states under its jurisdiction to celebrate the annual event together and make it a truly community activity. It was made possible through the generous support of its corporate sponsors the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board, the Department of Trade and Industry, PagIBIG Fund, Seven Seven Corporate Group, Reginald Lewis Foundation and World Networking Services, and its patrons EXL, Fordham University, Masbate Association of America, Philippine Independence Day

(Clockwise from L) Classically trained soprano Rina Saporsantos and tenor Rogelio Penaverde, rising young stars Jared Martin and Kirby Asunto, and second-generation singer-dancers of Boston-based Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla provide the entertainment for the afternoon gala. (Photos by Yetbo Loverita and Joseph Pe.)

Council Inc. (PIDCI), Order of the Knights of Rizal New Jersey Chapter, Philippine Hearts and Hope Society, Philippine Fiesta (Fiesta in America), All Ateneo Alumni Association, Philippine American Friendship Committee (PAFCOM), Silliman University Alumni Association New York-New Jersey, Cherry M. Smith Productions/ CMS Collections, Mindanao State University eVillage International, Mrs. Carla Villacorta, the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce New York, Mr. Edwin Josue, Mr. Jerrry Sibal, Philippine Nurses Association of America Inc., Philippine Disaster Relief Corporation, Philippine National Bank (PNB) and GMA-7, and donors Philippine Airlines and EVA Air.

(Clockwise from L) Broadway Barkada’s Isabel van Vleet, Loresca Lanceta and Sacha Iskra cap off the afternoon’s entertainment with Broadway and OPM favorites, making the luncheon gala reception a truly community activity. (Photos by Yetbo Loverita and Joseph Pe.)

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