MALACANAÑ PALACE
Manila

My warmest greetings to my fellow Filipinos in Seattle as you hold the Pagdiriwang, a cultural event in celebration of the 113th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.

This day does not only serve as a celebration of our rich culture and traditions, but is also a tribute for the men and women who, spurred by their undying love for our country, nobly sacrificed their lives to secure the freedom we enjoy today. Indeed, our vibrant history is proof of our patriotism, especially of our ancestors’ valiant battles for our liberty against colonizers.

It is always heartwarming to know that Filipinos from all over the world remain proud of our rich heritage. As we commemorate this momentous day in our lives as Filipinos, may you take with you the spirit that ignited the revolution that brought our country righteous freedom and much honor –the Filipinos’ indomitable spirit against any challenge that may come in our quest for equitable progress.

Now is the time to be catalysts of change. The power to make a difference in our society lies in every Filipino –this calling and sense of purpose unites us. Thank you for rising to the challenge of building a better and a more progressive Philippines, and for taking part in our movement for national transformation. In this spirit of hope and renewal, may we all work together to keep the glorious daylight flourishing in our country so we can fulfill our nation’s great destiny.

BENIGNO AQUINO III
President, Republic of the Philippines

 

THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Filipino-Americans have contributed to the enrichment and quality of life in the Pacific Northwest and the nation; and

WHEREAS, the Filipino-American community in the state of Washington enjoys sharing its rich cultural heritage with people of other origins, to foster better understanding, and to strengthen friendships within a multiethnic society; and

WHEREAS, June 12, 2011, marks the 113th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence; and

WHEREAS, on June 4, 2011, is the opening of the Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival, and this year’s theme is Philippines: Islands of Rich Cultural Hues;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim June 12, 2011, as

PAGDIRIWANG DAY

In Washington State, and I urge all residents to join me in this special observance.

CHRISTINE O. GREGOIRE
Governor, State of Washington

 

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
House of Representatives

Dear Friends,

Greetings to everyone gathered for Pagdiriwang 2011 to commemorate the 113th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from Spain. Pagdiriwang is a staple in the Seattle Center's Festal series of ethnic cultural events.

I commend Flori Montante, and the Filipino Cultural Heritage Society, who give us an opportunity to share the Filipno American experience for the past twenty-five years. Pagdiriwang helps community members young and old remember their homeland and their cultural roots.

These celebrations and performances enrich our understanding of the Filipino American experience. I extend my best wishes for a successful weekend.

JIM MCDERMOTT
Member of Congress

The Filipino Cultural Heritage Society of Washington

Greetings.

The Filipino Cultural Heritage Society (FCHSW) produces for the 25th time the Pagdiriwang Philippine cultural festival as it celebrates the 113th anniversary of Philippine Independence. Pagdiriwang is one of the ethnic festivals of Seattle Center’s Festál program. 

As the largest Filipino cultural event in Washington, Pagdiriwang sets the standard that other Filipino cultural groups may emulate in smaller celebrations throughout the State. It is also the 25th year that Pagdiriwang is produced at the Seattle Center. That is no small achievement as it sets the stage for next year’s larger event marking its quarter century anniversary of cultural excellence that coincides with the 50 year anniversary of Seattle’s World Fair that marked Seattle’s entry into the consciousness of the international and domestic communities.

I am pleased to express my admiration to our loyal volunteers, staff and performers who make Pagdiriwang possible for their unrelenting efforts to share our way of life – our culture, art, history and traditions.

We have come a long way since 1987 when we held the first Filipino festival and every year is an improvement over the last. We look forward to a grand 25th year in 2011.

This year’s theme “Philippines: Islands of Rich Cultural Hues” emphasizes what Filipinos already know but need to impart to mainstream communities to underscore our global connections in these times where diversity should be seen as a strength rather than as a source of disunity..

The year’s Pagdiriwang journal is another feather in our cap that not only professionalizes our informative materials but also memorializes our shared culture.  Participate in Pagdiriwang 2011. Mabuhay!

FLORI MONTANTE
Founder / President, FCHSW

 

The Filipino Cultural Heritage Society of Washington

Pagdiriwang 2011 commemorates 113 years of Philippine independence and shares with the community at large in the Pacific Northwest the rich culture of the Philippines. Held on June 4-5, 2011 at the Seattle Center, this year’s theme is “Philippines: Islands of Rich Cultural Hues.” 

The word “hues” conjures an image of variegated colors, some distinct and some blended with others to form unique shades as in a rainbow. Partnered with the words “rich” and “cultural,” the Pagdiriwang festival evokes an exact image of the Philippines as both a melting pot and a salad mixture of cultures, at once distinct and blended with others.  The Philippine Islands as repository of different cultures can only be rich. Its diversity is the source of its cultural wealth.

The Pagdiriwang fare is an offering of what the Philippines can share – dances and performances ranging from the lowlands of Luzon, the uplands of the Cordilleras, the Muslim south and the strong glue of the Visayans. Each of these areas are themselves rich in diversity, the Ilocanos of the north, the Tagalogs and Pampangos of central Luzon, the Bicolanos of southern Luzon. The Cordillera uplands have different tribes, while the Visayans have the Cebuanos, the Illonggos, the Warays and all peoples too numerous to mention. Mindanao has several Muslim tribes, the non-Muslim upland Lumads, the Chavacanos and all sorts of mixtures of people. There are martial arts demonstrations and film showings, traditional palaro (games) held during special events and fiestas, fine arts and artifacts exhibits, bands playing under the Fil-Am Jam program, food booths, excellence in education, young artists and performers, the FYA Drill team and so much more. Space constraints limit my exuberance in describing Pagdiriwang events.

This year we plan to continue the Pagdiriwang journal as a source of qualitative and informative articles, professionally prepared in a magazine format that is definitely a keeper.

As we hold the 25th consecutive Pagdiriwang in 2011, we see this as preparation for next year’s 25th anniversary of Pagdiriwang, one of the pioneers of Seattle Center’s Festal program, which also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Seattle World’s Fair in 2012. This year’s event, however, is severely limited by fundraising issues in an economy in doldrums, else one would witness a cultural presentation of truly extravagant proportions, in a good way of course. We nevertheless learned to make do and make more with less, establishing efficiency strategies and management practices that will not make this year’s programs look less. It will actually look more extravagant than last year’s.

On with the show…

JP PAREDES
Vice President, FCHSW