Philippine Independence Day Parade 2008 New York http://bp1.blogger.com/_CwSYMd9KuCE/SEUv7ETCnaI/AAAAAAAABUY/nlxisFHzv2E/s1600-h/DSC_3419.jpgCity

video from jimfan155

The Philippine Independence Day Parade took place on Madison Avenue last Sunday in celebration of Philippine Independence on June 12. Featured at the celebration were young artists including singer Charice Pempengco and Broadway star Ali Ewoldt. The Philippine Independence Day Parade, like any major New York City parades, has a set schedule for its annual celebration. Its usual slot is the first Sunday of June. Since its inception in 1993, the parade has steadily garnered attention not only from the Filipino American community, also from the general population of the New York metropolitan area. A cultural show follows the parade.

The Fifth Annual GINOONG PILIPINAS USA 2008 goes to MANHATTAN

MARC GUECO, Ginoong Pilipinas USA 2008 (Pageant Program Photo)

MARC GUECO, Ginoong Pilipinas USA 2008

Event host, KRISTINE JOHNSON (CBS 2 News)

Guest Performer, ALI EWOLDT (Cosette, Les Miserables Broadway Revival)

The Fifth Annual Ginoong Pilipinas USA pageant and fundraiser was held last night, Friday, Dec. 7, 2007 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on 556 Fifth Avenue between 45th and 46th Streets in Manhattan. Previous pageants were held in California. Last night's event was more than a celebration of the Philippine culture and Filipino men in America. Ginoong Pilipinas USA is a service-based organization known for its humanitarian efforts. This year, the organization will donate the event’s proceeds to the widlfire victims of California through the Southern California Wildfire Relief Efforts of the American Red Cross. Two months ago, wildfires threatened thousands of Southern California homes, destroying structures and forcing thousands to evacuate. The lovely CBS 2 News anchor Kristine Johnson hosted the program. Broadway star Ali Ewoldt, who played “Cosette” in the Broadway revival of Les Miserables was the evening's delightful guest performer. During the program, Johnson and Ewoldt who are both half-Filipino, indicated their interest in reconnecting with their roots.

MARC GUECO, the tall and handsome 27 year-old model from Los Angeles emerged as the winner besting other finalists that included Francis Aquino (Hollywood), Paul Askedall (New York), Ryan Enriquez (New Jersey), Bernabe Fernandez (San Diego), Brian Fernando (San Francisco), Marlon Flores (New York), Amando Ibanez (San Francisco), Kapono Kobylanski (Honolulu), Moses Mata (Washington, DC), Jason Regis (Florida), John Sandiego (Connecticut), John San Juan (New York), Michael Turner (New York) and Roger Wingfield (Michigan). Mr. Gueco, who believes that respecting others marks a Filipino gentleman, received $1,000 cash, in addition to the trophy and sash and the honor to represent the country to the annual Mr. International event in Asia. Previous winners have participated in international competitions and earned accolades. Ginoong Pilipinas-USA 2006 winner CHRIS FRIEL bested 30 other Asian-Americans in the Mr. Asia-USA 2007 pageant.

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT ARROYO DOES BROADWAY

Philippine President GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in New York for three days to attend the 62nd United Nations General Assembly, squeezed into her tight schedule a visit to Broadway. She attended today's matinee performance of the Broadway revival of LES MISERABLES at the Broadhurst Theatre, 235 West 44th Street. It's been written that President Arroyo's favorite "international performer" is Filipino singer/actress LEA SALONGA who stars as FANTINE in Les Miz until October 21. Other cast members who are of Filipino descent are ALI EWOLDT (Cosette) and ADAM JACOBS (Marius). Mrs. Arroyo posed for photos with Salonga, Ewoldt and Jacobs on stage after the show when the audience has left. Due to tight security, the only image I managed to make is an unpresidential silhouette with a Mamma Mia poster as background outside the Broadhurst Theatre after the performance. Mrs. Arroyo also attended the Clinton Global Initiative, which was organized in 2005 by her former classmate in Georgetown University, former US president Bill Clinton. While the president's visit to the theatre district was a pleasant respite, Mrs. Arroyo was hounded later by some Filipino activists outside the Waldorf over the broadband scandal, political killings and a nurse recruitment agency. Mamma Mia!