MoTHER Movement leads event
Filipino-Americans converged last Monday, June 12, to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Philippine Independence Day. Led by International MoTHER Movement (IMM), the event was held at the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) in Historic Filipintown,
Majority of the attendees were women dressed in their Filipiniana costume which typified the spirit of the celebration. Consul Marie Cris P. Chieng, the guest of honor and speaker, dwelt on the history and future of the Philippines in the light of the independence won by Filipinos through their “strong yearning to be free.”
She extolled the valor and determination of “our forefathers who gallantly sacrificed to spell the triumph of the quest for liberty.” Consul Chieng called on her countrymen to continue “taking care of and strengthening the gains of democracy in our native land.” She reiterated the theme of Kalayaan 2023: Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasarinlan.
On the same occasion, she noted and commended the enthusiasm of the audience to “actively participate in solemn observance of Philippine Independence.”
She further congratulated and thanked the IMM, headed by Perla Bermudez Santos, founding president and chief executive officer, for “leading and managing the inspiring and uplifting observance of this memorable event, noting Bayan Masaya, (short for Bayanihan sa Araw na Makasaysayan) is the embodiment of the Filipino trait that is evident all over the world – caring, compassionate and helpful.
Consul Chieng was introduced by Myrla Baldonado, director for Community Engagement and Action of the PWC.
The collaborating organizations were PWC, TLC Family Caregivers Support Group, and Forever Young Seniors group headed by Cres Go, who is the program director of MoTHER.
Bermudez Santos enumerated and explained the “Five Ws of Bayan Masaya.” She further cited the IMM’s vision, mission, brief history, programs, projects and activities. Likewise, she presented the other plans which are now in the drawing board. She also mentioned the linkages of IMM with other sectors and organizations, including the mass media which “immensely help in the dissemination of information to the general public.”
Prof. Elizabeth C. San Diego, a retired official of the Department of Education in the Philippines, emceed the program and sang a Tagalog nationalistic song titled “Ang Bayan Ko.”
A playlet, which dramatized the Filipino longing and victory for independence, was presented by Dr. Art Flores and Gloria Resurrecion, IMM advisers, with Rosito Go, IMM technical director, and Cres Go, IMM program directress, who choreographed the interpretative dance presentation.
Professor Flores delivered the welcome address while Mrs. Resurreccion gave the announcements and closing remarks.
Featured were Filipino folk dances, namely Bulaklakan, Cariñosa ang Mamang Sorbetero.
Teresita Nones, IMM logistics directress, delivered a Tagalog poem titled “Pagdakila sa Kalayaan” which was written by Eusebio San Diego for the occasion.
