At 7:30 a.m., hundreds of Filipinos are expected to witness the Philippine flag hoisted on its pole and unfurl in front of the Philippine consulate general office in Susupe to remind Filipinos of their nation’s struggle to be free.
For Philippine Consul General Medardo Macaraig, this year’s celebration of the Independence Day will be “simple but meaningful.”
“Celebrating our Independence Day and especially just right after the election and proclamation of new leaders in the country spells a new era for Filipinos,” Macaraig told the Variety.
“This is our chance to celebrate our freedom and move forward despite the tight economic situation everybody is going through,” Macaraig added..
Highlighting this year’s celebration of freedom is the skills and livelihood training classes being offered by the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices for Filipino workers.
Macaraig said the skills and livelihood training programs is one way of promoting independence to Filipino workers so they will have something to fall back to when they go home.
Immediately after the flag raising ceremony and the messages from the president of the Philippines and labor officials, the guests will have a chance to partake of a “Pinoy breakfast” which will be prepared by the culinary art and baking class students.
Pistang Pinoy
But the Pinoy breakfast is just the beginning. At 10 a.m., the real fun and festivities begins as the Pistang Pinoy unfolds at the multi-purpose center in Susupe.
The Pistang Pinoy will be hosted by the United Filipino Organizations and will showcase Filipino culture and tradition, food, goods, entertainment and other activities. It will also feature Filipino performers from various community organizations, and special participation from actor Bojo Molina, one of the casts of the “Gimmik 2010,” a drama series produced and aired by Philippine television network ABS-CBN.
For Filipino children who are born here and who do not know the enjoyment of a Philippine fiesta, the event is their chance to experience what Philippine fiestas are.
Macaraig said they have invited CNMI leaders and the local community to join the Filipinos for the special celebration on Sunday.
He said Catholic and other Christian churches will also offer prayers for the Philippines as part of the regular Masses/services on the following schedules:
Rota: Sunday afternoon Mass
Tinian: 8 a.m. Sunday Mass
Kristo Rai: 6 p.m. Sunday Mass
Mt. Carmel Church: 11 a.m. Sunday Mass
JIL churches: 10 a.m. Sunday
At 10 a.m. today, a proclamation will be signed declaring June as the NMI-Philippine Friendship Month in the governor’s conference room in Capital Hill.
This year’s Pistang Pinoy is sponsored by IT&E, Marpac, Western Union and the Tan Siu Lin Foundation.
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