NEW YORK CITY, 05 August 2024 – Saranac Lake in New York celebrated President Quezon History Day, a day-long event honoring the life and legacy of Manuel L. Quezon, second president of the Republic of the Philippines, who stayed in Saranac Lake 80 years ago.
To start the day, an extensive opening ceremony took place at Harrietstown Town Hall with more than 300 people in attendance, many of whom were Filipino-Americans from North Country and parts of the New York state. A large group of Filipino Canadians representing various Filipino organizations based in Montreal also came for the event.
Guest speakers and local officials paid homage to Filipino culture and history as well as to pay tribute to President Quezon, who served from 15 November 1935 up to the time of his death on 01 August 1944.
At the opening program, Consul General Senen Mangalile of the Philippine Consulate General in New York and Assembly member Steven Raga were invited as guest speakers.
Members of the Panday Tinig Chorus from Montreal sang the national anthems of the Philippines and Canada, while Filipino American Lisa Keegan sang the US national anthem. There were also dance performances by KAS Dance Collective from New York City and the Golden Maidens from Montreal.
Saranac Lake residents and tourists enjoyed an afternoon celebration that included a street fair featuring flavorful Filipino food, booths selling hand-made merchandise, dance and music performances, and a special exhibit about President Quezon at the Saranac Laboratory Museum.
President Quezon Day marking the 80th death anniversary of President Manuel Quezon is a project of the Historic Saranac Lake, a not-for-profit architectural preservation organization, in partnership with Kalayaan 1521 Council. Kalayaan 1521 Council, Inc. is a non-profit organization that is devoted to preserving and promoting Filipino culture and heritage in the United States.
