PH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME AT PINOLE CITY HALL
PINOLE, CALIFORNIA, USA – For the first time in the city’s 120-year history, Pinole celebrated Philippine Independence Day at its City Hall on 17 June 2023.
Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer joined Pinole Mayor Devin Murphy and Councilmember Cameron Sasai, the first Filipino American elected to Pinole City Council, during the historic event in this East Bay city.
In his remarks, Consul General Ferrer expressed his “sincere gratitude to the City of Pinole for holding the activity for the first time, which manifests solidarity and fellowship with the Filipino-Americans currently residing in the city.”
Consul General Ferrer said: “I have been a witness to the gains of many Filipino Americans in our ten-state jurisdiction. We are fortunate to be in the United States of America, a country thriving in unified diversity… It also recognizes how our skilled, dynamic and hardworking Filipinos, who are now mostly Americans or dual citizens, have contributed immensely to its progress.”
The 24-year-old Sasai presented to Fil-Am Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Geoffrey Baraan a proclamation signed by Mayor Murphy, declaring 12 June 2023 as “Philippine Independence Day” in Pinole.
The said proclamation recognizes Sasai’s recent election as Pinole’s first Fil-Am Councilmember, as well as the appointment of former Pinole City Attorney Benjamin Reyes II as the first Fil-Am Superior Court Judge of Contra Costa County.
Representatives from Pinole Valley High School’s Pinoy Club shared their testimonials on how they are keeping their Filipino heritage and identity as second- and third-generation Filipino Americans.
Following the Pinole City Hall event, the Philippine Cultural and Historical Association opened its annual Independence Day fair at St. Joseph’s Church, right across the City Hall. The event is the only Philippine Independence Day community fair held in west Contra Costa County, and featured Filipino cultural dances and food stalls. END
