TFC Summer Saya 2011 kicks off to a rousing, record-breaking start

June 10, 2011 - PRLog -- Summer in the U.S. has yet to officially begin on June 21st, but for The Filipino Channel (TFC) and Filipino communities around the U.S., it has already kicked off to a rousing start last June 4 and 5.  A combined total of over 100,000 people trooped to three cities - Vallejo, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Manhattan, New York – to participate in the 113th Filipino Independence Day community events under the TFC Summer Saya 2011 events banner.

On June 4, the Vallejo Philippine Cultural Committee (PCC) celebrated its 25th anniversary with the 2011 Vallejo Pista Sa Nayon at the Vallejo Waterfront in Mare Island Way.  They encountered a serious weather challenge: it was the first time that it rained hard during the holding of this event.  But even given the heavy downpour, based on several estimates, around 5,000 still braved and defied the storm and took part in the parade, fair and cultural program.

Wowing the crowd on stage during the TFC Hour were RP’s legendary Jukebox Queen Imelda Papin with daughter Maffi and sister Gloria, hitmaker Sheryn Regis of ABS-CBN’s Star in a Million, the Adobo Nation cast of JC Gonzales, Michi Valeriano, Julius Santos and Tet Hernandez, and hosts Nadia Trinidad and Henni Espinosa of Balitang America.

PCC General Chairman 2011 Jeff Holder said: “We are grateful for the thousands who came in spite of the rain. We also experienced a ‘shower of joy’ through our collaboration with ABS CBN TFC.  People came from everywhere to see the cast of Adobo Nation and to experience the music of Sheryn Regis and the Papin Family. The TFC finale was over 60 minutes of pure, non-stop, power entertainment that will not be soon forgotten. Your team was extraordinary!”

Also on June 4 was the 3rd Annual Las Vegas Fiesta Filipino celebration in Maryland Parkway. Blessed with an unusually mild temperature for this time of the year, some 18,000 attendees packed the event, making it one of the biggest Filipino freedom day celebrations in the U.S.  Organized by the Nevada chapter of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA-NV), the event had a theme of “Community of One”.

Aside from Nevada government officials who greeted Filipinos like U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, newly elected Judge Heidi Almase, Filipino American Judges Cedric Kerns and Cheryl Moss, celebrities like international songbird Lani Misalucha, world boxing champion Nonito Donaire and dance champion group The Jabawockeez also graced the festival.

The TFC Hour on stage held a karaoke contest that drew enthusiastic local participation.  Holding fort during showtime were comedy bar and karaoke veteran Vivorah with Anna Diaz of Adobo Nation’s Chika LA and Beverly Llorente of Balitang America Nevada.

Project Chair Noel Casimiro said: “Las Vegas’ 3rd Annual Fiesta Filipino was an overwhelming success due to the collaboration between TFC and NaFFAA Nevada.  We sincerely thank also all our business and media sponsors, booth vendors and attendees who supported the event.”

On June 5, wildly popular international TFC Kapamilya stars Jericho Rosales and Karylle, Michael Gurfinkel, Esq. of Citizen Pinoy, Monette Rivera of Adobo Nation’s NY Chika, Don Tagala of Balitang America with host Gelo of Barangay USA took part via the parade and TFC Hour in the 113th Independence Day celebration in Manhattan which drew a record-breaking 90,000 attendees, surpassing the 70,000 record it set last year. It was organized by the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI).

Almost mobbed wherever they went, Jericho and Karylle were overwhelmed by the presence and support of thousands of Filipinos at the event. “I almost cried because they knew the songs I sang, ‘Pusong Ligaw’ and ‘Bumuhos Man Ang Ulan’ (theme song from the hit TFC teleserye, Green Rose). This is an unforgettable experience for me,” said Jericho.  “I was blown away by the reaction of the people,” said Karylle, who was teary eyed on the TFC float and when people sang the “You Got A Friend” chorus with her.

The parade was led by Grand Marshals Nick Libramonte and Dr. Edita Cruz Libramonte, with Guests of Honor in attendance: Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr; Philippine Consul General in New York Mario L. de Leon, Jr., the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan and Department of Tourism N.A. Director Emma Ruth Yulo.

Accompanying the award-winning Dinagyang Festival Tribu Pan-ay contingent of 30 dancers were Congressman Jerry P. Trenas of the lone district of Iloilo, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Escalante Mabilog, and Tourism Regional Director Edwin G. Trompeta. Joining them were the PIDCI “DIWA NG KALAYAAN”(Spirit of Independence) Winner Maria Victoria Sanagustin and her Court, the Past Presidents of the PIDCI, Past Grand Marshals and Past Overall Chairpersons, joined by Filipino community leaders , with contingents of marchers from Fil-Am associations from various cities and states, cultural groups, marching bands, floats, open cars, and others.

PIDCI President Joji Jalandoni said: "Thank you to TFC for sharing the talents of your stars! The Fil-am community here was so happy with their appearance and performances.  From the bottom of my heart, I want to express my thanks in my native Ilonggo dialect: ‘Madamo Guid nga Salamat sa Inyo nga Tanan!"  (Thank you very much to all of you)!”  

Senior Director for TFC Cable & Satellite Jun Del Rosario said: “We at TFC are extremely gratified by the community partnerships that we have forged and are co-nurturing. The level of success of the three events that kicked off TFC Summer Saya 2011 is an indication that we’ve made and continue to make significant inroads in serving, uniting and entertaining Filipino communities throughout the U.S.  We thank everyone and we look forward to an extremely exciting summer season.  Watch out for more events under TFC Summer Saya!”

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About ABS-CBN International
ABS-CBN International was created over 15 years ago to be of service to all Filipinos. With the launch of The Filipino Channel (TFC), the company became the first and most successful Filipino content distribution company in the U.S. The company offers telecommunication, retail, theatricals, money remittance and cargo services, online audio and video streaming, IPTV, On Demand, along with philanthropic support for Filipinos and the communities they now call home. Based in Redwood City, CA, ABS-CBN International is a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Corporation, the Philippines’ largest entertainment and broadcasting company, through ABS-CBN Corporation's wholly-owned subsidiary, ABS-CBN Global Hungary Kft. For more information, visit www.abs-cbnglobal.com.