Cebu Dancers with the Santo Nino
The second leg of the double parade day brought me to Madison Avenue and 38th St. where the largest Independence Day parade outside of the Philippines is celebrated. In the 27th year of celebrating the 119th year of Independence from Spain, the parade route was packed with colorful costumes and many elegant dresses. The Filipinos praise their beauty queens and why not since Miss Universe 2015, Pia Wurtzbach was on hand to wave to her adoring fans. The recently crowned Miss Pacific World 2017 winner, Beatrice Andrada was also present. In this parade more than any other, there are more tiaras than floats. The ladies dress in their elegant evening gowns while the men dress in their formal guayabera shirts. It really is quite a show to watch. Marchers came from as far as Canada, Florida and Maryland. They all sent a beauty queen of course. Getting the parade started were this years Grand Marshall, Drs. Rodrigo and Elma Castillo. They have both been in the medical profession for over 40 years and have a thriving medical office in New Jersey. Filipinos have long been known for their contributions in the health field and this was very evident in this years parade.
Barangay Gingoognon Dancers
Beauty Queen Beatrice Andrada
Kylie Versoza and Pia Wurtzbach waving to their fans
There were a few marchers with political signs both in favor and opposed to the controversial President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte. Filipinos were happy to display their native representation as Barangay Gingoognon was an energetic group dancing in colorful costumes. A deeply religious people displayed two of the most devoted objects at the tail end of the parade. The Cebu Dancing Group had an amazing colorful costume with the lead dancer carrying the Holy Infant (Santo Nino) statue with much reverence. They were great to watch. They were soon followed by a religious group displaying a statue of the Black Nazarene. The parade wrapped up with perennial favorite, the Aklan Dancers. Their numbers keep growing every year. The after parade party kept on going in Madison Square Park and on the side streets where a stage was set up for more entertainment and some great food and after two parades I was certainly going to indulge.
Araw Ng Kalayaan Mabuhay!!
NYC Parade Life 