PHOTO RELEASE:

June 23, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT:

Derek Sands

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BERGEN COUNTY COMMERORATES THE 125^TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

Above: Mayor of Bergenfield Arvin Amatorio, Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III, Bergen County Commissioner Rafael Marte, Bergen County Commissioner Joan Voss, and Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso standing with 2023 Philippine Independence Day Community Service Award recipients

HACKENSACK, NJ – On Wednesday, June 21, the County of Bergen in partnership with the Bergen County Asian American Advisory Committee hosted a celebration in honor of the 125^th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day in the Piazza at the One Bergen County Plaza Administration Building.

Philippine Independence Day is celebrated on June 12^th to commemorate the date in 1898 when Filipino revolutionaries took a stand against their Spanish oppressors and issued the Philippine Declaration of Independence.

Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III issued a proclamation recognizing June 12, 2023, as Philippine Independence Day. The proclamation was presented to Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in New York Adrian Elmer S. Cruz. Deputy Consul General Cruz served as the event’s keynote speaker.

The even began with welcoming remarks from Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio, the first Filipino American Mayor in Bergen County. Special remarks were also offered by author Kathryn Serrano. Serrano’s book “Kalayaan: Filipina Heroines of WWII” was recently highlighted in a NorthJersey.com article earlier this month.

The ceremony also featured performances from Filipino-American Actor Vince Ermita, known for his role as Young Simba in “The Lion King” on Broadway, and Cristina Gania of Teaneck, NJ.

The County of Bergen also presented Philippine Independence Day Service Awards to members of the community.

The event culminated in the raising of the Philippine Flag. Refreshments were donated by various Bergen County restaurants and organizations.

2023 Philippine Independence Day Community Service Award Recipients:

• Ilya Evangelista Amatorio, RN, Vice President of the Philippine Nurses Association of NJ-Bergen, Passaic Sub-Chapter
• Vince Ermita, Actor, Young Simba, “The Lion King” on Broadway
• Bert and Sandy Jimenez, Franchisees, Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins of Bergenfield
• Marc Pascual, Certified Mechanic
• Priscilla Pascual, Manager, Dumont Eye Care
• Rafael Sanchez, Restaurant Owner
• Kathryn Serrano, Author, “Kalayaan: Filipina Heroines of WWII”

 

Photos attachments:

Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III delivers remarks to the audience.

Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III presents a proclamation of Philippine Independence Day to Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in New York Adrian Elmer S. Cruz.

13-year-old actor Vince Ermita, who stars as Young Simba in “The Lion King” on Broadway, performing a rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon.”

 

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