PH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION IN THE BAY AREA KICKS OFF WITH ANNUAL VALLEJO PISTA SA NAYON
Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil delivers the message of Consul General Neil Ferrer to the Filipino American Community at the 38th annual Pista sa Nayon at Mare Island Coal Shed in Vallejo, California on 1 June 2024. (San Francisco PCG photo)
VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco joined the annual Pista sa Nayon (Village Festival) in Vallejo, California on 1 June 2024, which kickstarts this year’s Philippine Independence Day celebration in the Bay Area.
Organized by the community-run Philippine Cultural Committee, Pista sa Nayon returned to the Mare Island Coal Sheds for the third consecutive year and assembled Filipino American cultural performers, fashion designers, martial artists, food stalls and trucks, and handicraft pop-ups.
In his message that was read by Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, Consul General Neil Ferrer congratulated the Philippine Cultural Committee for spearheading the Vallejo Pista sa Nayon on its 38th year.
Consul General Ferrer also thanked the Solano County Board of Supervisors and the Vallejo City Council for their respective resolutions, proclaiming June 2024 as “Philippine Cultural Month” in Solano County and Vallejo.
“I am especially proud of the achievements of the Filipino Community here in Solano County and Vallejo. The enduring friendship between the Philippines and America has been strengthened by our inextricable people-to-people ties, anchored on our four-million-strong Filipino Community in the United States—of whom close to 59,000 live in Solano County, with almost half of that figure residing in Vallejo,” Consul General Ferrer said.
“Philippine Independence Day is a yearly reminder of the centuries-long struggle that the Filipino people have endured and fought for freedom and democracy. Following the example of our heroes, may you inspire Filipinos and Filipino Americans towards cooperation and unity within the community,” Consul General further said.
Top government officials were in attendance, including Vallejo Mayor Robert McConnell, American Canyon Mayor Leon Garcia, Benicia Mayor Steve Young, Suisun City Mayor Alma Hernandez, and Solano County District 1 Supervisor Erin Hannigan.
Filipino American government officials were also in full force during the celebration, including: Vallejo Councilmembers Rozzana Verder-Aliga, Diosdado JR Matulac, and Charles Palmares; Vallejo Board of Education Member Glenn Amboy; and California Superior Court Judge for Solano County Marlo Nisperos, who was recently appointed to the position by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
In the early 1900s, the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard attracted Filipinos to work and eventually settle in Vallejo, creating one of the first Filipino Communities in the United States. One notable Fil-Am personality from Vallejo is award-winning singer and songwriter H.E.R., born Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson.
This year’s Independence Day festivities in the Philippines carries the theme “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.” (“Freedom. Future. History.”), as a reminder of how the hard-fought freedom by Filipinos has not only shaped the nation’s history but also continues to shape its future. END
Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil (center) and Vice Consul Adrian Baccay (extreme right), with: Vallejo, California Mayor Robert McConnell (center-right); Benicia, California Mayor Steve Young (center-left); former Vallejo, California Councilmember Pippin Dew (second from left); and longtime Fil-Am Community leader Eloise Scott (second from right). (San Francisco PCG photo)
From left to right: Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil; singer Arianne Del, who performed the Philippine National Anthem; Fil-Am Vallejo, California Councilmember Rozzana Verder-Aliga; and Vice Consul Adrian Baccay. (San Francisco PCG photo
Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil greets Fil-Am California Superior Court Judge for Solano County Marlo Nisperos, who was recently appointed to the position by California Governor Gavin Newsom. (San Francisco PCG photo)