Even when our countrymen are far from the homeland, they still find ways to honor their roots.
The Philippines’ Independence Day is soon upon us! On June 12 and over the course of the month, Filipinos are coming together to celebrate the significant event.
See how our kababayans are honoring this day of freedom all over the world, with festive parades, dynamic performances, and of course, good food.
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New York
New York City’s Philippine Independence Day Parade is the largest one outside Manila. The celebration takes place annually along Madison Avenue.
This year’s parade happened on June 2 and featured Kuyamis festival performances from Misamis Oriental. Filipino artists such as Nonoy Zuniga, girl group 4th Impact, Mig Ayesa, Cedric Escobar, and Kirby Asunto also entertained the crowd.
The street was full of vendors offering traditional Filipino dishes and desserts as well as local artisans showcasing their handcrafted pieces.
Dubai
Filipinos living in the UAE will be celebrating Independence Day at Dubai World Trade Center on June 8 and 9.
Actress and singer Janella Salvador will be performing at Zabeel Hall 3 on Saturday. Meanwhile, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim stars Kim Chiu and Paolo Avelino will make an appearance at Saeed Hall 1 the next day.
Other performers include WCOPA singers, dancers from LuzViMinda and the Dubai Dance Club, local choral groups, and more talented artists.
Aside from performances, there will also be a pageant, parades, fashion shows, a singing competition, and an awards ceremony. Plenty of activities also await young attendees, like a painting contest and science-related challenges for students.
For OFWs, organizations are setting up booths to offer various services free of charge, including medical check-ups and haircuts.
Australia
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Filipinos are the fifth-largest immigrant group in Australia. It’s no surprise that there are celebrations all over the country!
In Canberra, the Filipino Community Council of ACT (FCCACT) is hosting a celebration ball at the five-star Hotel Realm on June 15. The formal event will include dinner, performances by Raymond Lauchengco and Jojo Almazora Sebastian, and a cultural show.
On the last day of the month, a Grand Fiesta will take place at the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne. The day will be filled with cultural performances, delicious food, and fun activities for all ages.
All over Australia, from Perth to Sydney, the various communities of Filipinos in the country are celebrating through flag raising ceremonies, festivals, and galas. Here’s the full list of Independence Day events in the land down under.
Banner image by Krisia via Pexels.
