‘Dinagyang’, ‘Manggahan’ NYC parade facilitator wins TOFA award

“It doesn't matter how many times you win an award, it is always very special.”
--Zinedine Zidane

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- She is known among the Ilonggos here as the “Mother of Dinagyang and Manggahan Festivals in the New York City Philippine Independence Day Parade.”

JALANDONI during the parade on June 3, 2018

A New Jersey-based professional nurse from Victorias City, Negros Occidental in the Philippines responsible for bringing here two famous religious and cultural festivals from the Philippines, Joji Juele Jalandoni is the 2018 The Outstanding Filipinos in America (TOFA) awardee for arts and culture.
Jalandoni, who graduated her masteral in Hospital Administration/Nurse Executive Program from Teachers College Columbia University in 2015, will receive the award on October 28, 2018 at the Carnegie Hall in Manhattan along with her fellow awardees.
A consummate community volunteer service leader and organizer, Jalandoni has been known for always placing her volunteer community pursuits first before her professional chores.
In her chosen profession, Jalandoni has stayed above the mundanely important duties of a regular nurse, choosing to specialize in the executive side of the profession by continuing to hold the position of Infection Control and prevention Associate Director at her place of employment.

As the president of the Silliman University Alumni Association from 2007-2009, Jalandoni is very much respected, revered and requested for services in myriad community undertakings, generally and most especially in the Filipino-American community in the northeastern United States.
The awardee has served as the president of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), a Filipino and Filipino-American community wide organization that organizes, produce, direct, manage, execute and present the many month-long or almost a year of multi event annual commemoration of the declaration of the Philippine Independence in New York City.
Through the 28 years of celebrating the commemoration, the New York City festival has gained many reputations, foremost of which is being the largest celebration of Philippine Independence Day in the world, larger even than the one held annually in the Philippines.
At the time Jalandoni presided over the PIDCI, it has attracted over 200 member organizations of Filipino and Filipino-American organizations, associations, clubs and groups.
Jalandoni has been largely credited for a gargantuan feat no other Filipino-American leader has done before: bringing to the United States of the Dinagyang Festival from Iloilo City four times (2011, 2013, 2015 and 2018 during the parade’s 50th anniversary) and, also in 2018, the Manggahan Festival from Guimaras Province, all in Western Visayas to join the PIDCI parade aimed to promote the Philippines’ “rich” culture and heritage on June 3, 2018.
Jalandoni noted that the 2018 participation for the first time of a big delegation from the island-province of Guimaras “has helped provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for the kids from far-flung rural areas and ‘street kids’ from Iloilo City on the part of Dinagyang Festival.”
Officials of City of Iloilo led by Mayor Jose Espinosa III and Provincial Government of Guimaras led by Governor Samuel Gumarin extolled Jalandoni for personally visiting the city and province one after the other early in 2018 to personally extend and arrange the two festivals’ participation in the prestigious New York City Philippine Independence Day parade which is known all over the world.
Jalandoni has served as the vice president/advisory council from 2009 to present of the Victoriahanon (Victorias Milling Company and Victorias City, Negros Occidental group).
Presently she is the vice president of Negrosanon.
Jalandoni also serves as the PIDCI chairperson on special projects (Education and Cultural Committee) from 2012 to present.
Her other involvement in community service is being a member of Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) of New York City, Inc. from 2003 to present; and as 2011 awardee for for Community Service.

Ilonggos in trade delegation who worked ‘silently’

“Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise.”
--Frank Ocean

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- When I had a chance to engage Iloilo City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia in a long tete-a-tete at the Madison Square Park after the 120th Philippine Independence Day parade here organized by the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) on June 3, the first thing I asked was “Where is Department of Tourism (DoT) Regional Director Helen Camarista-Catalbas?”
Since two flashy regional festivals--Iloilo City’s Dinagyang and Guimaras’ Manggahan--and one trade mission were involved in the sizzling East Coast event, Atty. Catalbas should have been in the entourage, Divinagracia explained.
But because the new DoT secretary, Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, has just assumed and has been constantly communicating with all regional directors in the country, Atty. Catalbas probably needed to stay behind, she surmised.
Divinagracia pointed out that Atty. Catalbas "has been very supportive" of all their programs, including both in their tourism and business-related activities, especially when Iloilo City hosted the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministeral meeting in 2015.

-o0o-

I also missed Divinagracia’s predecessor, city tourism consultant Ben Jimena, who first accompanied the Tribu Panayanon during the 2013 Philippine Independence Day parade here in a delegation led by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.
As I have asserted several times, City Hall should bring one representative from the Public Information Office (PIO) in the next trade mission and investment forum.
PIO Chief Lucy Montealto-Sinay or her representative would be able to greatly help sustain the publicity of the day to day week-long activities.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III talked lengthily and enormously about Iloilo City’s peace and order during the open fora.
It won’t hurt if in the next trade mission, they tag along the chief or a representive from the Iloilo City Police Office (IPPO) to speak about peace and order and assure potential investors of their security.
There were other Ilonggos in the delegation who worked silently and were sparingly mentioned in the media but who, in one way or the other, have made gigantic contributions in the success of the first-ever private-initiated Iloilo City Trade Mission and Investment Forum Ilonggo Fashion and Jewelry Show in the East Coast on June 4-10, 2018.

-o0o-

I didn’t have the exact list of all Iloilo delegation members, but I spotted Iloilo City Councilor Plaridel Nava, who came with his family. Nava talked about the Iloilo City Ordinance on Noise Pollution in the EduCare for Early Childhood Education talk in Fairfax, Virginia.
His wife helped model for hablon cloths in the Virginia leg fashion show.
Alma May Tayo, chair of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Iloilo Chapter Exhibitors’ Committee, also actively joined the trade mission in New York, Virginia and Washington D.C. and the New York City Independence Day parade.
City Tourism Operations Officer Florence King Haro Erlano and Iloilo City Tourism and Development Office staff Sheena Julienne Galon did amazing reinforcement tasks during the parade and the trade mission and investment forum.
Executive Assistant Jojo Castro, “Iloilo City’s Bong Go”, was with City Engineer Bobby Divinagracia, Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation boss Ramon Cua Locsin, and Iloilo City National High School principal and Tribu Panayanon tribe manager, Dr. Blesilda V. Floro.

-o0o-

City Mayor’s Office staff Rosita Celiz did a factotum for Iloilo City First Lady Gina Sarabia-Espinosa and Secretariat Chief Florence Hibionada.
The rest of the team, led by Dr. Emily Noserale Hagad, president and project coordinator of Philcoman Research Institute, Inc. in the private sector, were Commercial Diplomat for Trade Relations of the City Rex Aguado, City Local Economic Enterprise Officer Jose Ariel Castañeda, City Planning Coordinator Jose Roni Peñalosa, Western Visayas State University College of Communication Dean, Dr. Carmencita "Menchie" Robles, University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV) Vice Chancellor Mary Ann Gumban, Iloilo Business Park-Megaworld Sales Director Carla Margarita Perez, Eon Group of Companies founder and CEO Felicito Tiu, StackTreck Enterprises CEO Billy Shung Hei Yuen, and journalists Tara Yap (Manila Bulletin) and Herbert Vego (Panay News), who also did Herculean efforts to promote Iloilo City as an ideal and perfect hub for business, tourism, education and investment.

Dinagyang’s New York trip on despite visa problems

“Outstanding people have one thing in common: An absolute sense of mission.”
-- Zig Ziglar

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- The participation of a tribe from Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival in the 120th Philippine Independence Day parade here on June 3 was nearly canceled after tribe members encountered visa problems in the US Embassy in Manila.
This was revealed by Joji Juele-Jalandoni, former president of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), who called up this writer morning May 26 to convey the message that “everything is set and ready after the problem has been resolved.”
Jalandoni, from Victorias Milling Company in Negros Occidental, said if the problem was not fixed on time, only the nine-day “Iloilo City Trade Mission and Investment Forum” from June 1 to June 9 would be held without the Dinagyang tribe in the parade to be represented by 2018 grand champion, Tribu Panayanon, of the Iloilo City National High School.

-o0o-

Jalandoni said another tribe from Guimaras’ Mangghan Festival, Hubon Manguguma, will represent the Philippines together with Tribu Panayanon in the biggest Filipino-American Independence Day parade in the East Coast that is expected to attract some 100,000 audience on Madison Avenue.
“They (Dinagyang and Manggahan contingent) will arrive on May 31 (US time),” confirmed Jalandoni, a registered nurse in New Jersey, who is responsible for bringing the two festivals from Iloilo City and Guimaras here.
Problems hounded Tribu Panayanon after only 11 members were given travel visa by the US Embassy, Jalandoni said.
“They have to recruit warriors from Tribu Salognon who already have the visa in order to complete the team, thus the problem was resolved,” she explained. “It’s not nice to see only 11 warriors dancing during the parade.”
Tribu Salognon is the 2016 grand champion and represented the country in the New York parade’s 118th edition.
The first-ever trade mission, to be led by Iloilo City Mayor Jose “Joe III” Espinosa III and Mrs. Gina Sarabia-Espinosa, will fly to New York via Hong Kong on May 29 (Philippine time) and will arrive in the US on board Cathay Pacific on May 29 (US time).

-o0o-

The Espinosa couple, accompanied by Iloilo City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia, Executive Assistant Enrique “Rex” Aguado and Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) chief Ariel “Aye” Castaneda, fashion designers Jackie Penalosa and Bo Parcon, journalists Florence Hibionada (The Daily Guardian), Tara Yap (Manila Bulletin), and Herbert Vego (Panay News), West Visayas State University (WVSU) College of Mass Communications dean, Dr. Carmencita “Menchie” Robles, among others, will grace the opening of Ilonggo fashion and jewelry exhibit at the Philippine Center Gallery on 556 Fifth Avenue on June 1.
The Ilonggo trade missionaries are tasked to “introduce” Iloilo City to New York City, Washington DC and Fairfax, Virginia through roadshows showcasing the creations of Ilonggo jewellers, fashion designers and property developers.
Espinosa will host a UP Alumni event on June 2.
The annual parade, spearheaded by PIDCI, will blast off at 12 noon on June 3, followed by cultural presentations.
The city mayor and several representatives from the private sector will hold the Trade and Investment Forum at the Philippine Center.

-o0o-

Famed NY-based Ilonggo entertainment producer Jhett Tolentino will spearhead the group in a Broadway tour at seven o’clock in the evening on June 5.
An investment forum at University of North America, Fairfax, Virginia will be held on June 6.
This will be followed by a Childhood Education Study in Washington D.C. in the morning and Investment Forum in the evening at the Philippine Embassy on June 7.
The Iloilo contingent will tour Washington D.C. on June 8.
The will cap their US visit with a Philippine Independence Day Ball in the evening at Hilton, East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 9.
Members of the Iloilo Trade Mission depart to the Philippines on June 10.

Ilonggos in New York show big heart for ‘Dinagyang, 'Manggahan'

“A Christian reveals true humility by showing the gentleness of Christ, by being always ready to help others, by speaking kind words and performing unselfish acts, which elevate and ennoble the most sacred message that has come to our world.” 

--Ellen G. White

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- It is their “pag-malasakit” (compassion) and “pag-ulikid” (concern) for fellow Ilonggos who will arrive here for the 120th Philippine Independence Day 28th Annual Parade on June 3, 2018 that prompted Boy Dinzon and his fellow Ilonggos based in New Jersey and New York to launch the “Dinagyang and Manggahan sa NYC Fundraising Dinner” on June 1 at the Draesel Hall of the Church of the Holy Trinity on 88th Street in Yorkville, Manhattan.
“As much as possible we want to remain anonymous; we only want to help. That’s all,” sighed Dinzon, former staff of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Iloilo ticketing office, who now resides in New Jersey. “Sin o pa abi ang mag binuligay kundi kita man nga mga Ilonggo (As Ilonggos, we all need to help each other).”
Dizon’s group include Grace Uybico, Camille Dabao, Agnes Jamora, Agnes Montelibano, Vincent Dabao, Tonette Dabao, Frankie Uy Bico, Shirley Cordova, and Joe Nick “Nonot” Dinzon, who are mostly from the Iloilo Assumption Group.

-o0o-

Dinzon added: “We are aware that they always encounter problems on funds. They definitely need financial support and we are doing our part to at least contribute something. By all means we need to help them because they are representing and promoting our culture and heritage as Ilonggos.”
Dinzon is referring to the big contingent from Iloilo City and Guimaras led by officials and “warriors” from the Dinagyang Festival and Manggahan Festival, which will join the parade’s anniversary commemoration with a theme, “Pagbubunyi Sa Ating Mga Bayani-Ang Hangarin ay Pagkakaisa” or “Honoring Our Heroes-Inspiring Solidarity among us all” on Madison Avenue.
With the support of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) led by president Antenor “Ner” Martinez, is the parade organizer.
Joji Juele-Jalandoni, a New Jersey-based registered nurse, personally went to Iloilo City and Guimaras in January this year to invite the two festival groups.
She is PIDCI past president and a native of Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

-o0o-

Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III and the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. led by Ramon Cua Locsin, Mrs. Gina Sarabia-Espinosa, Iloilo City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia, Iloilo Provincial Tourism Officer Bombette Golez Marin, Guimaras Provincial Tourism Officer Liberty Ferrer and 10 Guimaras officials, will also join the Iloilo City Trade Mission sponsored by the PHILCOMAN in partnership with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) and the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce Washington DC (PACC DC).
Mrs. Sarabia-Espinosa will be joined by a group of Iloilo City’s top fashion designers and artists led by highly-regarded Bo Parcon, according to Dinzon.
Sarabia-Espinosa’s group will hold an exhibit to showcase Iloilo City’s potentials on June 4 at the Philippine Consulate General on Fifth Avenue.

Mabilog, Joe III to meet in New York?

“I'm still passionately interested in what my fellow humans are up to. For me, a day spent monitoring the passing parade is a day well-spent.”
--Garry Trudeau

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- An Ilonggo community leader in New Jersey has disclosed to this writer recently that Iloilo City Mayor Jose “Joe III” Espinosa III and his wife, Gina Sarabia-Espinosa, are among the VIPs scheduled to grace the 120th Philippine Independence Day parade in Madison Avenue on June 3, 2018.
The couple will accompany Dinagyang 2018 champion, Tribu Panyanon, and Guimaras’ Manggahan Festival tribe, which were officially invited by the Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. (PIDCI) through past president Joji Juele-Jalandoni, according to the community leader who requested anonymity “because I haven’t yet asked permission from authorized parade officials to reveal the official list of people coming for the event pending their application for visa (in the US Embassy in Manila).”
Another source said former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog was also expected to arrive for the parade and to meet with some Iloilo City officials he hasn’t seen since he went on a sick leave that expired on September 30, 2017 and since his dismissal as city mayor the following month.
The former Iloilo City mayor is believed to be currently staying in Canada "for security reasons."

-o0o-

The Ombudsman ordered Mabilog’s dismissal on October 6, 2017.
He has been out of the Philippines since last year and was believed to have proceeded to Canada together with his family after President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to kill him.
Nobody from Mabilog’s camp or family has confirmed that he was planning to fly to New York for the parade or to have a private meeting with any Iloilo City official.
It was Mabilog who first brought the then 2013 Dinagyang champion, Tribu Panayanon, during the 115th Philippine Independence Day parade in New York City.
During the 2015 RP Independence Day parade, Philippine Consulate officials in New York City invited Mabilog as among the few VIPs together with then senator and now foreign affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to join the flag-raising ceremonies in the RP Consulate on Fifth Avenue but he didn’t arrive.
No Dinagyang tribe participated in the 119th Parade in 2017.
Before his dismissal, Mabilog, who was on his third and last term, was reportedly being endorsed by his supporters to seek a congressional seat in the lone district of Iloilo City currently held by Rep. Jerry Treñas.

-o0o-

Sources said Mabilog “might use the occasion to meet with Mayor Joe III Espinosa and Mabilog’s other former allies in city hall who will be part of the parade entourage.”
Among those coming are Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation chair Ramon Cua Locsin and Iloilo City tourism officer Junel Ann Divinagracia.
Espinosa III served as vice mayor during Mabilog’s term as city mayor.
Espinosa III, Treñas, and majority of the members of the Iloilo City Council are now with the PDP-Laban, the political party of Mabilog’s tormentor, President Duterte.
It was not immediately known whether Mabilog, who still has plenty of followers in Iloilo City, would endorse Treñas’ bid for city mayor in 2019 and Espinosa, who is rumored to be running for congressman but hasn’t revealed anything in public other than confirming that he is “definitely running in 2019.”
Mabilog, Treñas, and Espinosa III composed the so-called “dreaded political triumvirate” that ruled Iloilo City politics in the early 2000 since the departure from politics of the late former Senator Rodolfo Ganzon and the late justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez Sr.
They have been tagged as “unbeatable and unbreakable” until Duterte won as president in 2016 and booted Mabilog out from Iloilo city hall in 2017.
They were all backed by Liberal Party (LP) bigwig, Senator Frank Drilon, Mabilog’s second cousin and No. 1 endorser of defeated presidential aspirant Mar Roxas.