Assemblymember Steven Raga, the first-ever Filipino American elected official in New York State led the historic inaugural 125th Philippine Independence Day Celebration held at the historic New York State Capitol in Albany.
The momentous occasion on June 1 marked the first-ever Philippine Independence Day celebration at the New York State Capitol in Albany, attracting hundreds of Filipinos from various corners of New York State and neighboring New Jersey, transforming a portion of the Legislative Office Building called The Well into a vibrant Filipino festival.
“This landmark celebration serves as evidence of the growing presence and influence of the Filipino American community in New York State,” Assemblymember Raga said, expressing the significance of the event. “We are not only commemorating our heritage but also celebrating our ongoing contributions to the cultural tapestry of this great state. It is a proud moment for all Filipino and Filipino Americans in New York State, and we eagerly anticipate further strengthening our community bonds.”
Assemblymember Grace Lee, Co-Chair of the New York State Asian Pacific American Task Force, who attended the event, expressed her support and dedication to the Filipino American community.
“It was an honor to join Assemblymember Steven Raga at the first-ever celebration of Philippine Independence Day held at the New York State Capitol in Albany,” Lee said. “New York has been home to a vibrant Filipino community for over a century, and now, under the leadership of Assemblymember Raga, they have strong representation at the state level. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my colleagues to uplift the needs of the Filipino American community.”
Raga recalled seeing other events at the capitol last year and realized that having one for the Filipino community would celebrate the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of Filipino culture but also highlight the remarkable contributions of Filipino Americans to the diverse cultural tapestry of the state.
“Throughout the year, in the spring, I’ve seen other cultures, other community members, and assembly members come in and have their own event with their Consul General and their community leaders and I said why not us?” Raga told the Asian Journal.
Raga then asked Consul General Senen Mangalile and various community leaders if they could collaborate and come up with this event to celebrate the unity, resilience, and unwavering commitment of the Filipino American community in New York
“Today, we remember Filipino heroes who fought for liberty against our colonial masters, but we also celebrate our current generation of heroes – our nurses, accountants, engineers, and entrepreneurs – who make positive contributions to the fabric of New York society,” Consul General said in his speech.
Atty. Sol Kapunan, Founding President of Kalayaan 1521 Council Inc, echoed the community’s sentiments and said, “In unity, there is strength. By coming together, we will overcome challenges and achieve great heights. May we never lose our identity as we continue to showcase our capabilities to the world. We have found a home 8,500 miles away from home, where our Filipino Spirit will endure!”
Renowned dancers and foreign dignitaries from the Philippines, along with state-elected officials, including a representative from the office of U.S. Congressmember Paul Tonko, graced the occasion. Deputy Speaker of the New York State Assembly, Phil Ramos, delivered a group introduction on behalf of Assemblymember Raga and escorted all guests into the Assembly Speaker’s Room.
Ramos talked about his almost month-long vacation in the Philippines last year and expressed support for Raga becoming the first Filipino member of the State Assembly, saying that there should be more minorities joining them.
According to Raga’s camp, the success of the event would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the Philippine Consulate General of New York and numerous other Filipino American groups from across New York State. Their invaluable contributions exemplify the spirit of unity and cooperation that defines our community.
The celebratory program showcased a variety of performances that highlighted the rich tapestry of Filipino culture, including cultural performances such as “Paypay De Manila” by the Bayanihan Association of the Capital District, Excerpts from “Mindanao, Epics, Legends, and Myths” by Kinding Sindaw, “Salakot” by FUNRaisers of New York, and MassKara Festival Dance by the Bacolod City MassKara Festival Dance Group.
By organizing this monumental event, Assemblymember Raga has ushered in a new era of recognition and appreciation for Filipino culture and heritage in New York State. It is not merely a celebration but also a commitment to continue contributing to the diverse cultural heritage of our state and nation.
Raga holds the distinction of being the first Filipino American elected to any public office in New York State. Representing the 30th District in the New York State Assembly, which encompasses parts of the neighborhoods of Woodside, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Maspeth, Middle Village, and Astoria, he is dedicated to advocating for legislation that supports the well-being, growth, and prosperity of his constituents and all New Yorkers.
He looks forward to holding the event in the coming years.
“I’m in a lot of spaces where again, the Filipino community is not brought up and even if the issue is pertaining to them directly, so this is the first step into getting us more proactively in these spaces. So we’re going to be doing a lot more in the next few years,” he shared. (By Momar G. Visaya/AJPress) n
