DOT fund for New York parade ‘intact’

By Alex P. Vidal

FAIRFAX, Virginia – Even if she did not attend the 119th Philippine Independence 27th Annual Parade in New York City on June 4, 2017, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo decided to retain the $100,000 she had pledged for the event and didn’t withdraw the “donation” as feared earlier, it was learned eve before the parade.

Philippine Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Cesar Montano, the source of Teo’s alleged “displeasure”, represented the DOT.

Montano, Teo’s subordinate, joined Miss Universe 2015 Pie Wurtzbach, Miss World 2013 Megan Young and Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa.

Sources told us earlier Teo “felt bad” after parade organizers sent the invitation to attend the parade to Montano instead of Teo.

“Secretary Wanda, a good friend of mine, felt she was bypassed thus she was contemplating on withdrawing the amount the DOT had earlier pledged for the event,” said a source who refused to be named but was “sacked” two days before the parade when the Teo story, which was leaked exclusively to this writer, was traced from her.

CONFIRMED

Dr. Prospero Lim, president of the New York-based Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), confirmed to this writer on May 28 that Teo “decided to withdraw” from the parade but did not specify why.

“Just give us a good write up,” Lim appealed.

The Parade was held on Madison Avenue (38th-27th Streets) in busy Manhattan. It used to be held on Fifth Avenue.

Singers Martin Nievera, Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha, American Idol’s 11th Season 1st runner-up winner Jessica Sanchez, New York-based Ms World-Philippines 2014 Valerie Weigman, current Grand Champion Global Pinoy Singing Idol, Shane Ericks, and comedian Mikey Bustos also joined the biggest parade of Filipino community in the United States.

PIDCI’s 2017 Parade Grand Marshals Drs. Rod and Ellen Castillo spearheaded the parade with the Mrs. Kalayaan and Diwa ng Kalayaan and their court with Dr. Lim and the PIDCI Board of Directors, the Philippine Consulate General in New York.

PARTICIPATE

Hundreds Fil-Am Organizations and local beauty queens and kings from all over the US and government officials also participated in the parade.

This year’s PIDCI officers and Board of Directors are: President – Prospero A. Lim, MD; Vice-President – Raul Estrellado; Secretary – Joycelyn Aligarbes; Treasurer – Nora Galleros; Internal Auditor – Annie Ortiz; General Counsel – Manny B. Quintal, Esq.

Directors- Anthony Bautista, Olivia David, Dora Koltsidis, Rely Manacay, Beth Manalo, Ronie Mataquel, Bert Olimpo, Nonoy Rafael, Levi Tejada,Shiran Ybanez; Antero Martinez – Executive Director, Gheng Pingol – Special Assistant to the President and Honorary Adviser Consul General Ma. Theresa D. De Vega.

Others who joined the parade were: Mrs Kalayaan 2017-Lourdes Romero Saleh, Mrs Kalayaan Fil-Am 2017-Jodi Michelle Orencia, Mrs Kalayaan Philippines 2017-Rosalie Rabeje, Mrs Kalayaan Luzon 2017-Ann Constantino Beck, Diwa ng Kalayaan 2017-Ramona Munsayac, Bituin ng Luzon-Jasmine Sta Cruz, Bituin ng Visayas-Pearl Reyes, Bituin ng Mindanao-Leah Elizabeth Wong