UFO holds motorcade to celebrate PH Independence Day

Philippine Honorary Consul to the CNMI Glicerio Eli DM. Arago, second right, and his team of key volunteers: from left, Ariel Mariano, Annamae Adaza, Mario Mayuga, and Ulysses Torres-Sabuco (not in photo) participated in the virtual 122nd Philippine Independence Day Celebration for all Filipinos in the United States and Caribbean last Saturday morning. (PHILHONCON/UTS)

The United Filipino Organization commemorated the 122nd Philippine Independence Day last Saturday with a motorcade starting at the Minatchom Atdao Pavilion and ending at the Garapan Fishing Base.

Around 45 vehicles participated, with 15 big bikes from the Matua and Young Guns Riders joining them.

This year’s theme was “Kalayaan 2020: Tungo Sa Bansang Malaya, Nagbabayanihan, at Ligtas” (Freedom 2020: Toward a Free, United, and Safe Nation).

According to UFO president Marcelo Masilugan, the organization has always spearheaded a grand celebration of Philippine Independence Day to gather everyone in an event where food, entertainment, and games are offered, but all that changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The motorcade rode through Koblerville, As Gonno, Dandan, San Vicente, Kagman 1, 2, 3, Capital Hill, the former Mariana Resort & Spa, and at the Garapan Fishing Base.

“I am particularly proud of all our kababayans (compatriots), wherever they may be, who are in sync with the global effort to fight this invisible enemy by providing health care, security, and other professional services in the midst of this very unique situation. We Filipinos shall stand and we have always stood resilient against adversities at home and on the global stage,” said Masilugan.

Additionally, he thanked their partners, Matua and Young Guns Rider, the Office of the Philippines Honorary Consul, the Filipino community, friends, and especially the Department of Public Safety, for providing them traffic clearances and escort at every

Virtual commemoration

Glicerio Eli Arago, the Philippines’ honorary consul to the CNMI, joined all the Philippine diplomatic and consular missions in the United States and Caribbean in a first-ever virtual commemoration celebration of the Philippine Independence Day.

Arago participated in a virtual flag-raising last Saturday with all embassies and consular missions throughout the United States.

According to Arago, he was joined by the Philippine Honorary Consular Office’s key volunteers: Annamae Adaza, Ariel Mariano, Mario Mayuga, and Ulysses Torres-Sabuco.

“The virtual celebration also highlighted a video tribute to all Filipino front-liners in the Philippines, the United States, and Caribbean region who have been working tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Arago added.

Keynote remarks were made by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., and Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez.

“During this unprecedented time of crisis, the virtual celebration gave further emphasis on the importance of all of us coming together. We honor the heroes of the past, whose gallantry and heroism laid the foundation for the freedom we enjoy today, and the heroes of the present day—the health care professionals, to include our health care workers in the CNMI,” said Arago.

The Philippines declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.