2HFTIDPOC
News Release
June 09,2014
THE 2nd HFT KALAYAAN 2014 PARADE IN LOS ANGELES, June 07; A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
Los Angeles—“ The Araw ng Kalayaan 2014 116th Philippine Independence Day Parade was a resounding success! Mabuhay ang Araw ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas!
It was a much bigger, livelier and larger parade than last year. The 2nd Historic Filipinotown Independence Day organizers reported back that than more than a thousand Filipino Americans paraded in walking contingents and riding vehicles and floats around the Beverly-Temple corridor in Historic Filipinotown last Saturday, June 07, 2014.
This amidst the cheers of the multi-ethnic community in show of flag waving and vibrant display of patriotism.
The Parade Around the Town
The more than an hour long 2nd HFT Independence Day Parade started and ended at Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) in Historic Filipinotown of Los Angeles. The parade formation was formed at 8;30 AM but the parade started at 10:00 AM after the LAPD traffic made it sure that the rolling closure was in place.
The parade commenced at Temple and Burlington Street with the United Cordillerans of LA leading the van dancing with their colorful costumes and gongs. Following them were the equally colorful Maranaos from MAPIA with their customes.
Closely following behind, the the delegation from the Philippine Consulate General of Los Angeles led by no other than Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim and DCG Imelda Panolong and their 17 men and women contingent were also at the head of the parade.
Behind them were the ten beautiful candidates from the Binibining Pilipinas-USA led by Mildred Deang.of the Insider Productions.
Also at the van leading the parade were the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles Inc. (FACLA), which has the most number of floats, Philippine town Inc. (PTI) led by PTI Mayor Jerry Esguerra,
The parade passed the streets of Temple. Benton Way, Beverly,Rampart and back to Temple St. in a letter L short parade route that took than more than a hour long. The parade was shorter than last year, 2013 that reached up to Dillon St and back.
Participating Organizations
Some of the participating organizations are Historic FiIipinotown Neighborhood Council (HFNC)led by Cecille Ramos , The Justice for the Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), People’s CORE and Pro People Youth KMB.The Seniors 4 Pilipino American Community Empowerment (S4PACE), LA Pilipino Women’s Club, Knights of Rizal-CAlifornia, HFT and Media, Pilipino Ministry -United Methodist Church (UMC) of Wilshire, Lord of Harvest, Jesus is Lord (JIL), Silverlake CBAS, 2nd Century CBAS, A .Castelo Medical, Luc Razon, HIFI California Expo (HIFICALI), BANTAY PILIPINAS-USA, Philippine’s Best, Ms. FILAM INTERNATIONAL LLC,Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA) were also present.
Also at the parade were the Filipino Disciples Church or the Filipino Christian Church (FCC), SMR Productions, USA, LACFAS, Golden Agers of Los Angeles (GALA),Filipino American Press Club of California (FAPCCA).RVNC, GEPENC, Echo Park Community Council (EPCC), Phil.American Association of Professionals Inc, Los Angeles Seniors of California Inc.,Pilipino Institute of Language Arts and Culture (PILAC)/COTIFA, Burlington School, Our Lady of Loretto School (OLS), Pinnacle Communications LLC/DIRECT TV, and MOTHER Movement,.
After the Parade Program at FACLA
After the parade, at around 11:30 AM, the crowd participated in the closing program where speakers and entertainers regaled the crowd with speeches. Songs and dances at the FACLA Social Hall.
Congen Leo Herrera –Lim spoke about the theme of the 116th independence Day calling on the crowd, “ to emulate our heroes and work to lead the nation towards more meaningful change-tungo sa landas nang ganap at makabuluhang pagbabago”. To the cheering of the crowd, MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS!
On the other hand, FACLA President Jun Baul proclaimed, “We are proud to be Filipinos. We must be proud to be Filipinos in America.”.
The SADHC dance group gave the cultural number while Dr. Merle Yanesa, delivered the invocation. The US national anthem, Star Spangle Banner was rendered by Romy Borje and Lupang Hinirang by Jane Pua. The sound system by Fredie. Castaneda.
Singer Gloria Papin, sister of known singer Imelda Papin regaled the crowd with her songs and was largely cheered by the crowd. Don Budd ,Canadian singer, Juliet Posadas also entrtained the crowd with their songs.
FACLA Director Bernie Ganon was the June 12 program coordinator and emcee also thank all the organizations who joined the parade and the program. FACLA’s 2nd Vice President Dr. Veronico Agatep made the closing remarks.
FACLA also provided refreshments for the crowd and all the volunteers.
3rd HFT Parade 2015, Next Year.
FACLA Director Bernie Targa-Ganon said as she thank all the parade participants, “ We will be back next year for a bigger and better organized Third Historic Filipinotown ( 117th) Independence Day in June 2015.
We will also celebrate the 70th Anniversary of FACLA on April 26, 2015 and this will be a historic event for it will be a double celebrations for 2016. We welcome all organizations to join us for this double celebrations.
We also invite all for the June 12 Dinner and Dance Party of FACLA on June 12 , 2014 at 6;00 PM for the annual Independence Day Ball to be held at FACLA.” Ganon ended.
For more information about the 3rd HFT Independence Day Parade 2015 please call or fax at or email at . or visit our website at www. newfacla.org
****
Follow New FACLA on Twitter
Be Our Fan on Facebook