WASHINGTON D.C. – Ambassador Albert del Rosario has hailed the plan of the parade committee of the Philippine Festival Committee to present a thematic dioramas of the major waves of Filipino migration to the United States in the June 4 parade along Pennsylvania Avenuein Washington D.C.
He urged various Filipino American groups to participate in this large-scale undertaking that “will project the Filipino presence in America..” He said this will also be in keeping with this year’s commemoration of the centennial of Filipino migration.

Dr. Alex Fangonil and MGen. Delfin Lorenzana (ret), co-chairmen of the parade committee, said they have decided to add a different flavor and other innovations to the Pennsylvania Avenue parade in line with this year’s celebration of the centennial.

They said: “Our plan is to orchestrate and script the participating entries that will be displayed along the route during the parade. Each entry shall tell a story relevant to the theme of this year’s celebration. Local Filipino organizations who are interested to join in shall be assigned a particular design that will be an integral part of the whole presentation.”
They said that for archival purposes, the parade shall be videotaped and a copy will be kept in the Philippine embassy for future use and a copy will also be given to ABS-CBN for possible showing in the Philippines and at the Filipino Channel seen around the world.
They urged prospective participants to participate in this event by calling Dr. Fangonil at 202 529 3400 – 240 476 2861 or email anniefangonil@yahoo.com or Lorenzana at 202 467 9358 – 202 467 9410.
In his message, the ambassador said “we laud the committee for its tireless efforts in ensuring the success again this year. We are confident that the sense of community that you promote among Filipino Americans will further contribute towards the enhancement of people to people relations between the Philippines and the  United States and increase the visibility of the Filipino community in this country.”
He added: “through the years, the Philippine festival in Washington D.C. has achieved prominence as being one of the biggest publicly-organized events that celebrate Philippine culture and heritage in the United States. Every year, it is able to attract large participation from the Filipino American community as well as significant support from the cultural and business community in the mid-Atlantic region.”
Meanwhile, the Philippine Festival Committee chaired by Nick Tongson has come up with a star-studded schedule for the month-long celebration of Philippine independence day in the nation’s capital in June.
The traditional parade and fair, and glittering formal gala ball will be highlighted by a fashion show by world renown Filipino fashion king, Pitoy Moreno at the Ritz Carlton hotel on June 17.
 The June 4 Philippine Fair & Parade will display an ethnic festival showcasing the best in Philippine culture through the dance, music and art and the fair will focus on exotic cuisine, handicrafts, and a cultural show. The parade will be held along Pennsylvania Avenue, between 3rd and 7th Streets, NW, Washington, DC.
Contact persons for the parade are: Myrna Lopez (703) 451-3245 or emlopez75@yahoo.com; Becky Pagsibigan (703) 759-6106 or pagsibiganr@aol.com
June 10 - Philippine Independence Gala Ball, an annual fund-raising social event for various charitable projects of the PAFC. JW Marriott Hotel Contact: Lottie Buhain (703) 978-2709 or lot197@aol.com
June 17 - Cultural Night: Pitoy Moreno Fashion Show. A special Centennial celebration sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Washington, DC.
June 25 - Community Picnic/Sports Festival/Raffle Drawing, brings together the community through a fun-filled day of picnic and competitive sports. Tucker Road Recreation and Sports Center, Fort Washington, MD.
1. Philippine Independence Invitational Golf 2. Bowling Handicap Doubles Competition 3. Bowling Handicap Singles Competition 4. Volleyball/Basketball/Softball Contact/Picnic: Jocy Stichberry (301) 567-9795 or astichberry@netscape.net  Dr. Ted Gancayco (703) 501-0026 or tgidoc@comcast.net
Sports: Nick Tongson (703) 561-1144 or nick_tongson@yahoo.com
Raffle Tickets: Nina Cunanan (202) 473-2301 or ccunanan@worldbank.org
Other events scheduled earlier will be the May 20 Senior Citizens’ Dialogue I: Diabetes Forum. Lincolnia Senior Center, Alexandria, VA. Contact: Dr. Ellen Carag. (703) 339-7744 or ellen@hcsamerica.com and the
May 27 Philippine Festival Golf Invitational Tournament : The Gauntlet Golf Club, Fredericksburg, VA. 11 :00 AM shotgun start. Contact : Ed Fadul (703) 471-0775.