By Jun Nucum

SAN JOSE — The annual flag-raising event led by Filipinos and Filipino Americans again punctuated this year’s celebration of 127^th Philippine Independence in San Jose at McEntee Plaza Santa Clara County Government Center and other major cities in the United States.

In a short program in San Jose emceed by Rose Wenceslao and Michelle Amores of the Bayanihan FilAm Foundation (BFF), city and county officials, supporters, residents and guests of the City of San Jose and beyond many of whom clad in Filipino barongs and native Maria Clara Filipiñana attire gathered in the county grounds for the celebration.

Before the main flagpole, participants sang the American and Philippine National Anthems as the American flag and Philippine flag were raised one after the other. The Philippine flag was raised by retired National Service Personnel and the national anthem was sang by Arvin Monfero.  

Participants witnessed dancers from the Fil-Cal Heritage Dance, Fil-Cal Heritage Dance, and American Filipino Association Senior of Alum Rock SJ groups wearing Filipino native dresses to the delight of the crowd.    

Among the Santa Clara County and San Jose City dignitaries during the event were Santa Clara District 2 Supervisor Betty Duong (who also presented a proclamation on the Independence Day event), San Jose City District 4 Councilmember David Cohen, District 5 Councilmember Peter Ortiz and District 8 Councilmember Domingo Candelas, among others. They spoke mainly on the importance of FilAms contributions in  Santa Clara County, especially in San Jose.

They also commemorated the hard-fought struggle of Filipinos across the country embodied by Filipino farmworkers like Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz beside Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and others and the naming of Delano Manongs Park in District 5 as memorial to the contribution of the Delano Manongs to the fight for economic justice.  Filipinos now comprise at least 6% of San Jose City population or around 60,000 residents who are in the fields of business, armed forces, education, healthcare, among others.

FilAm leaders who delivered their messages in the indoor program that followed the flag-raising included emcee Jeffrey Manalang, Michelle Amores of the BFF/FilAm City Employees Group, San Jose District 7 Councilmember Bien Doan and Arnold Pedrigal of the Santa Clara County Filipino Association.  

The Philippine Independence Day was also celebrated in other major US states and cities like Las Vegas where The Filipino-American community marked the beginning of the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebrations with a vibrant Heritage Night hosted by the Cavite Association of Nevada at the Santa Fe Station Hotel and Casino. The event, attended by esteemed community leaders and trailblazers, highlighted the enduring patriotism of Filipinos living abroad while recognizing individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the community.

Delivering the keynote speech was Consul General Adelio Cruz of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, who underscored the significance of celebrating Philippine Independence as a shared heritage among Filipinos worldwide. The evening was a testament to the deep-rooted pride and commitment of the Filipino diaspora in preserving their cultural identity and strengthening ties within their communities.

Other cities with similar celebrations and also flag-raising ceremonies were San Francisco, Daly City, Los Angeles and the Grand Prairie Texas spearheaded by the Filipino Leaders Coalition of North Texas , among others led by the active and energetic FilAm groups led by their hardworking productive leaders and eager supporters.

Philippine News Today was among the sponsors of the event with publisher Francis Espiritu in attendance.