Araw ng Kalayaan
the people’s fiesta
Choy Arnaldo
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Paris
July 5, 2009
News
Photos by Jacob Tundagui, Michael Barles, Choy Arnaldo
It was a very hot sun beating down on Paris Sunday July 5 when we held the annual Kalayaan festivities at the
Stade de la Muette in Paris. The Knights of Rizal, bearing the Philippine flags, led off a special parade starting
from Place Trocadero in the 16th district of Paris, and marched down Avenue Georges Mandel towards the
Stade de la Muette which fronts the Bois de Boulogne.
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Our beautiful muses in their long gowns and the Knights and others in barong were
sweating profusely! The young ladies were strongly supported by their sponsoring
associations which also created their ‘trellis de beauté’, provided flowers and tiaras. It
would really be hard to choose a winner from all these beauties!
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In addition to the twenty muses, representing their sponsoring community association, the basketball and
volleyball teams, cyclists ‘ association, and others also joined the parade extending it to a one hour halt of
traffic in this area !
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Lady Nanette Brosas, President of the Damas de Rizal (Kababaihang maka-Rizal) began her marathon of
hosting the Kalayaan programme. One visitor said she ‘deserves a medal for great emcee-ing and bravery
under the heat!’ She kicked off the afternoon with greetings from the Filcom Core Group who organized the
fête, the community association leaders, and Her Excellency Ambassador Rora Navarro Tolentino, Philippine
Ambassador to France.
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Madame Ambassador has always supported community activities and when available comes personally to
the events, often with her senior staff. ‘She is always present, and a mother to us,’ said one Filipina of the
community!
The programme continued with songs, music, dance both techno and traditional. One Muslim dance,
Pakiring, of a couple from the Filipino Muslim Community in France, particularly drew the audience’s attention.
It was skillfully and gracefully executed and won applause several times ! The Powerdance group led by
Douglas Nierras rendered traditional Filipino songs in a modern style and accompanied by interpretative
dance. The association Samapil presented Mardicas, a series of techno dances performed by the younger
generation. Many liked the dance Bulaklak presented by Kasandiwa and the Pot Dance by Visamin. Ilokandia
presented Gayong-Gayong, a beautiful acrobatic dance, and Fantastic Kids, also well applauded. Towards
the end, Dennis Astorga’s Pinoy Jam Group gave several songs. Closing the programme was the joint choral
group of the Knights of Rizal and las Damas de Rizal singing Bayan Ko. Unexpectedly, many in the audience
joined the singing and added harmonic voices ; some wiped tears at the end !
The Kalayaan programme thus contributed to renew our cultural ties and traditional arts. This was aptly
summarised in the theme of this year’s Kalayaan, ‘Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan tungo sa tunay na
Kalayaan.’
Some 3,000 to 4,000 people attended the Kalayaan festival, there being no entrance fee this year. A word of
gratitude to the principal sponsors for their generosity is in order: Banque d’Ecompte, Cathay Pacific, Filinvest,
The Filipino Channel, Philippine National Bank, and Umali Decor. Thanks also to the 37 community
associations and several business companies that also contributed, financially and in kind. Nor should we
forget those behind the scenes, especially the sound crew led by Sir Bong Agustinez, KCR, and Sir Richard
Villanueva, KCR, in charge of stage and art works.
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This year’s Kalayaan was a happy event, a moment when the world financial crisis took a back seat to songs
and music, and great food—over 90 national dishes! 16 varieties of halo-halo and mais con hielo, special
linaing from Bikol (salamat sa Penafrancia!) and a special mango shake created by a group of youngsters
hoping to earn funds to make a trip to a conference in the US.
All in all, as Maya Jezewski said, ‘I had the feeling that it was a people's fiesta, a wonderful family gathering.’
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The Independence Day Celebration is organized by the Committee General des Associations Philppines en
France (grouping 37 associations) and the Philippine Embassy in Paris. The Committee is composed of the
following:
Sir Leo N. Mojica, KCR, Order of the Knights Of Rizal Deputy Chapter Commander Dimasalang Ile de France
Chapter, and President of Filipino Helping Hand Association, as President of FilCom Core Group 2009;
Atty. Carlito Huerto, President of SAMAPIL, Samahang Mangagawa ng Pilipino sa Francia , as Vice President
of FilCom Core Group 2009; and
Mr. Josenino Unite, President of Ilokandia Association, as Treasurer Filcom Core Group 2009.
Sir Catalino Oabel Jr., KOR, Order of the Knights Of Rizal Pursuivant of Dimasalang Ile de France Chapter,
and President of the Penafrancia Association, as Secretary FilCom Core Group 2009;
Sir Sharif Jessie Dy Umali, KCR, Order of The Knights of Rizal - Commander of Paris Chapter, Filcom Core
Group 2008 President and now as Auditor of FilCom Core Group 2009, Founder and Former President, now
Adviser of ‘FILIPINO MUSLIM COMMUNITY in FRANCE’
It has not been possible to organize Independence Day on the real day of Independence, June 12, because
the Stade de la Muette, the only convenient place to hold so many people, is not free in the month of June.
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