De Tagle, Go, Cayabyab et al. Join Philippine Independence Day Parade on Madison Ave. Today, 6/3

Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, 2012 BroadwayWorld.com Awards’ Best Featured Actress In A Musical nominee; Rachelle Ann Go, a concert and recording artist who recently made her professional theater debut, playing Ariel, in the Southeast Asian premiere of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid;” Ryan Cayabyab, the composer of original Filipino musicals “Katy!,” “Larawan,” and “Magnificat,” among others; and Broadway Barkada, a group of New York-based Filipino actors, singers, and dancers that have been performing in various Broadway and Off-Broadway productions are all set to join the Philippine Independence Day Council’s (PIDCI) 114^th Philippine Independence Parade and cultural festival today, June 3, 11:45 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., along Madison Avenue (from 38^th Street down to 23^rd Street). 

PIDCI is the umbrella organization of Filipino-American business, nonprofit, and religious groups, among others that is primarily dedicated to promoting Filipino cultural heritage and traditions through the annual Philippine Independence Day festivities in New York City, which are usually a week earlier than the local celebrations in the Philippines. 

Originally spearheaded by PIDCI’s former chairperson Nilda G. Jaynal in 1991, PIDCI's member organizations come together once a year to organize the parade (touted as the biggest Filipino community-organized event in the East Coast – last year’s turnout was estimated at 100,000), cultural show, and street fair. 

Besides de Tagle, Go, Cayabyab, and Broadway Barkada, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisa Jr., GMA Philippine television network’s Dingdong Dantes and Aljur Abrenica, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS), and dance troupe Mga Anak Ni Inang Daigdig (Children of Mother Earth) are also expected to grace the occasion this weekend. 

Frances Rivera, WPIX morning news anchor, and Air Tabigue, a stand-up comedian, will emcee the parade; Liz Casasola, a Broadway Barkada performer, and Jared Philips, a Kundirana alumnus, will host the cultural festival.

Complete Activity Schedule:

• Flag Ceremony and Independence Day Mass, 8:30 a.m., Philippine Center, 556 Fifth Avenue (between 45^th and 46th Streets)
• Parade Opening Ceremonies, 11:45 a.m., Madison Avenue and 38th Street
• Independence Day Parade, 12 p.m., Madison Avenue (from 38th Street heading south)
• Street Fair, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Madison Avenue (26th Street down to 24th Street)
• Cultural Festival On The Open Stage, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Madison Avenue (North of 23rd Street)

For more information about the parade and cultural festival activities, contact Chairman Raul Estrellado (201) 421-6187, Co-Chair Ner Martinez (347) 837-5883 or Co-Chair Vivian Velasco (917) 623-3827.