‘Dinagyang and Manggahan fund raising successful’

“There is immense power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work toward the same goals.”
― Idowu Koyenikan, Wealth for All: Living a Life of Success at the Edge of Your Ability

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- In a forceful and passionate show of Ilonggo spirit of volunteerism and bayanihan, members of the Ilonggo community in New York and New Jersey led by the Iloilo Assumption Group successfully launched the “Dinagyang and Manggahan sa NYC Fundraising Dinner” at the Draesel Hall of the Church of the Holy Trinity on 88^th Street.

“Warriors” from the two festivals, major winners in the 2018 Metro Manila Aliwan Festival, entertained the guests with cultural dances for their first-ever performance before the 120^th Philippine Independence Day parade in Madison Avenue on June 3.

Ilonggos from as far as Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. also showed up to air their support for the two festival groups from Iloilo City and Guimaras Province. 

“This event was organized primarily to help our fellow Ilonggos who are here to showcase our culture and promote investment and tourism. Most of all, they are here to make us all proud,” an emotional Boy Dinzon, event’s prime mover, stressed.

Dinzon’s group composed of Grace Uybico, Camille Dabao, Agnes Jamora, Agnes Montelibano, Vincent Dabao, Tonette Dabao, Frankie Uy Bico, Shirley Cordova, Joe Nick “Nonot” Dinzon, Beverly Rosales, Joy Jacqui Jaji, Tess Salvador, Gigi Gumban, and Ilonggo Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) officials led by past president Joji Juele-Jalandoni and board member Jocelyn Sanches Aligarbes, among other affair convenors, joined with former Consul General Mario Lopez de Leon, Jr., Guimaras Governor Samuel Gumarin, Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III, among other VIPs and Philippine Consulate General New York officials.

“Thank you so much to all our friends in the tri state area for the overwhelming support for our fund-raising event for Dinagyang and Manggahan,” announced Dinzon, former staff of Philippine Airlines (PAL) Iloilo.

“Without you lovable people this affair wouldn’t be a success. My sincerest, heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of you. Thank you, Lord, for a very successful outcome. I love you all from the bottom of my heart.”

Dinzon requested the audience to “witness them again (Dinagyang and Manggahan cultural dancers) on June 3 at 23rd St and Madison.”