12 June 2010. The Filipino Community in Honolulu spearheaded the successful celebration of the 112th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on 12 June 2010. The Filipino-American Veterans associations and the Knights of Rizal participated in the flag raising ceremony and program held at the Consulate grounds, which included a reading of the messages of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the President and a heartfelt-rendition of “Ako Ay Pilipino” by the Philippine Chorale which is composed of all the Officers and Staff of the Philippine Consulate General.

In the evening of 12 June 2010, the Philippine Consulate General with the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii (PCCCH) led the community in a Gala Dinner at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Consul General Leoncio Cardenas delivered the formal remarks followed by a Freedom Toast in honor of the country’s achievements, the RP-US relations and the Hawaii Filipino Community’s considerable and generous contributions to national development programs, most recently, to typhoon Ondoy relief efforts.

The highlight of the night, the Musical Revue, entitled “Pilipino Ang Galing Mo” featured world-renowned Filipino pianist Joselito Pascual, saxophone player Reginald Padilla and an an All-Star Cast composed of the best of Filipino talents in Hawaii who performed a medley of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), including the inspiring and patriotic “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” and the Philippine Centennial Celebration’s theme song “Mabuhay Ka Pilipino!”

Ms. Maggie Domingo, Chairperson of the PCCCH, commended the Philippine Consulate for its leadership and vision in organizing an unprecedented and distinctly unique Independence Day commemoration that is “a celebration of Philippine Independence Day for Filipinos and by Filipinos.”

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