‘Pistang Pinoy’ on Sunday will mark 114th Philippine Independence Day

Filipinos on Saipan are set to mark the 114th Philippine Independence Day on June 10, with celebrations to be hosted by the Philippine Consulate General on Saipan and the United Filipino Organization.

Sunday’s events will kick off with a flag-raising ceremony led by female consulate staff. The 7:30am program is particularly significant as it will be the consulate’s last Independence Day commemoration in the Commonwealth. The Consulate will close down on Oct. 31.

Consulate officer-in-charge Jose Sto. Domingo said yesterday that it still uncertain if Consul General Medardo Macaraig will be able to make it to the event, although the latter has informed the former that it will prepare a message that can be read in his absence.

Besides Filipino community leaders, island officials are also invited to the event as part of the observance of the Northern Mariana Islands – Philippines Friendship Month this June.

The program, Sto. Domingo said, will also be an opportunity for the consulate to recognize the Filipino community for their support throughout the years “because without them, we won’t be able to carry on our duties and responsibilities.”

The consulate-hosted event will end with guests sharing a breakfast banquet. The staff will then proceed to the Mount Carmel Cathedral for the Mass offering in honor of a momentous occasion for the Philippines as a republic, as requested by Macaraig himself.

Sto. Domingo noted that all religious groups were also asked to offer church services.

The Philippine Independence Day celebration continues at the Civic Center grounds in Susupe where UFO, a network of Filipino organizations in the Commonwealth, will host the 2012 Pistang Pinoy to bring fun and enjoyment not just for Filipinos but to the rest of the island community.

Secretary Annamae Adaza said a total of 12 food and 10 non-food vendors will set up shop at the festival grounds for a celebration following the theme, “Pananagutan ng bayan para sa tuwid na daan.”

Morning activities would commence with the basketball exhibition game between Team MDX and Team DYS, both from the U14 Division.

Live entertainment will be provided to spectators as they wait for the Panlasang Pinoy event, which will have an on-the-spot preparation of the delectable Sizzling Jumbo Squid dish while another basketball exhibition game between Team Mariana Resort versus the national team under the U20 division takes place on the side.

Throughout the day, members of the audience can buy raffle tickets for a $1 each for a chance to win exciting prizes such as hotel stays and lunch certificates donated by various corporate sponsors.

But the center of the hype happens at about 7:30pm with the first ever Deal or No Deal, Saipan Pinoy-style. Adaza said a lot of people are already inquiring about how to join the game show.

According to Adaza, 20 names of ticket holders will be drawn to participate in the elimination round by answering multiple-choice questions a la Pera o Bayong. From the hopefuls, only one will have the option to choose one of the 24 briefcase ladies for a chance to win the $1,000 prize or get the best deal from the “banker.”

The game show will be hosted by Ulysses Sabuco, while Adaza, UFO’s Minda Castro, and DJ RV Caberos will take charge throughout the day-long program.

“We invite everyone to join us for our annual Pistang Pinoy event, which promises a lot of fun and entertainment for the entire community,” said Adaza.

UFO president Bong Malasarte said setup for Sunday’s event will wrap up today.

“The hard work involved in the preparations, from planning and props to solicitations and programs, all of them will culminate on the day of the event itself, and we hope that the community, especially the Filipinos on island, will be one with us as we celebrate Pistang Pinoy,” he added.