[UPDATE] Follow the link for photos of Philippine-American Friendship Day 2011 Festival

—– Tomorrow (June 26, 2011) is the 21st Philippine-American Friendship Day 2011 in Jersey City. The parade will kick off at West Side Avenue and Claremont Avenues, ending at Lincoln Park. Like always, there will be colorful floats and marching bands, [...]]]>

[UPDATE] Follow the link for photos of Philippine-American Friendship Day 2011 Festival

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Tomorrow (June 26, 2011) is the 21st Philippine-American Friendship Day 2011 in Jersey City. The parade will kick off at West Side Avenue and Claremont Avenues, ending at Lincoln Park. Like always, there will be colorful floats and marching bands, street fair, and top celebrities from the Philippines.

21st Philippine American Friendship Day and Parade
Description: event, parade, festival
When: June 26, 2011 Sunday at noon
Where: West Side and Claremont Avenues, then parade ends at Lincoln Park

Unlike previous celebrations though, there will be no Filipino Idol in this year’s festivities. However, thousands of Filipinos from the tri-state area will still enjoy the performances of local artists like Kirby Asunto, Nina Waga Mojares, Craig and Samantha Abaya Campos, Alyssa Shoemaker, Maureen Varco and Tiffany Viray.

Several celebrities will be in attendance, including CBS 2 news anchor Kristine Johnson. The festival will not be complete without the presence of Philippines’ popular celebrities such as Iza Calzado, Mark Bautista, Jennylyn Mercado and Aljur Abrenica.

Weather Forecast / Survival Tips

It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day tomorrow! The temperature will be in the high-70′s, with a few clouds, which is very good during the parade.

Parking: there is a small parking space at Lincoln Park, next to the basketball court. But it is not enough for thousands of people gathering for the event. West Side street parking is preferable, or the boulevard (JFK) if you want to go further east, which means long walk.

Outfit and others: Bring extra-shirt, wear shorts, and put the sneakers on if you don’t like wearing slip-ons. You could also use a hat and a pair of sunglasses especially under the scorching sun. A bottle of water is nice to beat the heat. (Last year, bottles of ice cold water were free!) Of course, bring some extra cash, as you might be tempted to buy something there, like the FOOD! Bring a decent camera for posterity!

See you all there!

Philippine-American Friendship Day 20th Grand Parade Where: From Lincoln Park to Hudson [...]]]>
Filipino Families and friends here in Jersey City and East Coast US, join PAFCOM in the celebration of 62 years of friendship between the Philippines and the United States of America during the annual Philippine-American Friendship Day 20th Grand Parade.

Philippine-American Friendship Day 20th Grand Parade
Where: From Lincoln Park to Hudson Bergen Light Rail Station Parking Lot
When: Sunday, June 27, 2010 from 8:45AM – 6PM
Organizers: PAFCOM

Unlike the previous years, this year’s festivities will take a different parade route and a new festival venue. The event will start with a Thanksgiving mass at St. Aloysius Church. Parade participants will assemble at Lincoln Park (West Side Avenue and Belmont Avenue) and will march to the festival venue via West Side Avenue. In the past, the parade kicked off on Montgomery Street (in McGinley Square area) or in Downtown Jersey City before arriving in Exchange Place.

Not anymore.

William “Bong” Pineda, the 2010 PAFCOM Overall Chairperson, said during an informal interview that this year’s event will take place in a bigger venue: The Hudson Bergen Light Rail Station Parking Lot (West Side Avenue and Claremont Avenue). “The place will be more accessible to Filipinos, and more parking space will be available.” he added.

As always, expect a lot of fun during this day-long event. There will be marching bands and fascinating floats in the parade; cultural shows, games and contests; flea market, booths and exhibits; the Grand Finals of 2010 Filipino Idol; and many more.

PAFCOM will also feature famous celebrities from the Philippines: Rhian Ramos, Mark Herras, Kris Bernal, and Rocco Nacino of GMA Pinoy TV will entertain Filipino crowd and will make them feel at “home” with their performances.

Schedule of Events
8:15 am – Mass at St. Aloysius Church (West Side Ave and Belmont Ave.)
9:00 am – Parade Assembly at Lincoln Park
10:30 am- Opening Ceremony/Parade kicks off (Lincoln Park to Hudson Bergen Light Rail Station via West Side Ave)
11:00 am – 6:00 pm – Cultural/Musical/Variety Show and Street Fair at HBLR Parking Lot.

Contact Information

Mass
Rosita Merciadez (201)913-7975

Parade
Vice Overall Chair for Parade Arnel Binlayo – (201)993-3959
Parade Chair Nelsie Parrado – (201)960-7965
Parade Co-Chair Jenny Vi Niguidula – (917)678-0309

Festival, Cultural/Musical/Variety Show, Street Fair
Overall Vice Chair for Festival Ludy Corrales – (908)693-4277
Festival Co-Chairs Helen Castillo – (908)693-4277 | Hector Magno – (908)229-0155
Booths and Exhibits Co-Chairs Tom Simba and Mila Simba – (201)434-2933

Save the date for the Philippine-American Friendship Day 19th Grand Parade. Organized by PAFCOM, this big festival will be held on June 28, 2009 from 8AM – 7PM to celebrate the 61 years of friendship between the Philippines and the United States of America.

Philippine-American Friendship Day 19th [...]]]>

Grand Parade last year (2008)

Save the date for the Philippine-American Friendship Day 19th Grand Parade. Organized by PAFCOM, this big festival will be held on June 28, 2009 from 8AM – 7PM to celebrate the 61 years of friendship between the Philippines and the United States of America.

Philippine-American Friendship Day 19th Grand Parade
Where: From Plaza Rizal to Exchange Place
When: Sunday, June 28, 2009 from 8AM – 7PM
Organizers: PAFCOM

This year’s festivities will start in Downtown, Jersey City (previous events started in McGinley Square) at 8AM with a mass at St. Bridget’s Church. Pinoys will gather at Plaza Rizal before kicking off the parade at 1045AM to Exchange Place.

There will be lots of fun during this event. Expect fascinating floats, marching bands, health fair, music entertainment, foods galore, arts crafts, and of course, the Grand Finals of Filipino Idol 2009.

Let’s pray for a good weather this year. We don’t want to see this event cut short again because of the rain, right?

I will be there in the parade with some friends and will spend some time at Exchange Place, so see you there!

Schedule
8:00 am – Mass at St Bridget’s Church (located at the corner of Montgomery St. & Brunswick St.)
9:30 am – Assembly at Plaza Rizal
10:45 am- Parade kicks off (Columbus Drive To Exchange Place)

For more info, please call the following:

Parade Chair
Paul Verzosa 908-764-9011

Co-Chairs
Nelsie Parrado – (201)960-7965
Rev Gaudy Soriano – (201)282-934
Ronnie Atinaja – (973)519-4661.

Along with other nationalities, different Filipino groups [...]]]>
Were you at this festival? St. Aedan Parish (in McGinley Square area of Jersey City) holds an annual festival where there are rides, music, food, raffles, and other activities. This year, the event started on September 18, 2008 and lasted for four days (September 21).

Along with other nationalities, different Filipino groups volunteered for the event. Like last year and the year before that, my friend Elmer Karaan was in-charge of the music. Couple for Christ members watched some booths one night, and the Buensuceso Family were all around.

Fr. Joe Astarita – the Parish Administrator – was happy with the turnout of the event. And based on the figure that he mentioned during one of his masses, this event will continue for next year.