Martin Nievera will be the Grand Marshall and Headliner for the June 7, 2025 Philippine independence day Celebration in Carson City. Photo by Nicanor B. Arriola
Martin Nievera will lead Carson’s 39th annual Philippine Independence Day Celebration on June 7, 2025. A free, community-led event honoring 127 years of freedom and Filipino pride.
CARSON, CA – The City of Carson and Filipino American community leaders are gearing up to host one of the largest Philippine Independence Day celebrations in the country. This year’s festivities will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Carson Civic Center, and the event is free and open to the public.
In a festive announcement held on Tuesday, April 16 at Teofilo Coffee in Carson, organizers revealed that Martin Nievera, the Philippines’ beloved “Concert King,” will serve as Grand Marshal and Headliner.
The press conference was organized by Ted Benito of LXV Enterprises, LLC, and brought together community leaders and civic officials in a show of unity and cultural pride. In attendance were Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, Council Member Jim Dear, and Council Member Arleen Rojas, the first Filipina American to serve on the Carson City Council. The event also recognized the leadership of the Philippine Independence Day Foundation (PIDF), led by Chairman Alex Cainglet and President Fred Docdocil.
A Community Tradition 39 Years Strong
Carson’s Philippine Independence Day celebration, now in its 39th year, is one of the most enduring and vibrant Filipino cultural events in Southern California. Established in 1986, it has grown from a grassroots effort into a major civic and cultural festival attended by thousands.
Carson is home to one of the largest Filipino populations in the United States, with approximately 21.9% of residents identifying as Filipino American. This significant demographic presence has deeply influenced the city’s civic and cultural identity, creating a strong foundation for community-led initiatives like the annual Independence Day event.
“This celebration is more than a parade and performances,” said PIDF President Fred Docdocil. “It’s about honoring our history, our contributions, and our unity as a community.”
127 Years of Philippine Independence
The 2025 festivities will mark 127 years since the Philippines declared its independence from Spanish colonial rule on June 12, 1898, in Kawit, Cavite. For Filipino communities across the world, June is a time to reflect on the struggle for sovereignty and to celebrate the enduring pride and resilience of the Filipino people.
Cultural Celebration with Civic Partnership
The event is a joint effort by the Philippine Independence Day Foundation, the City of Carson, and numerous community organizations, cultural groups, and sponsors. The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles also expressed support for the celebration, with Consul General Adelio Cruz attending the press conference to acknowledge the significance of the event and the importance of uplifting Filipino heritage in the diaspora.
Consul General Cruz expressed his support for the community-led celebration, highlighting the importance of honoring Filipino heritage and the contributions of Filipino Americans to civic life.
Attendees on June 7 can expect cultural presentations, live music, traditional Filipino food, community booths, and the much-anticipated grand parade, culminating in a headline performance by Martin Nievera.
